Windows 10 includes a feature to reset your PC in case things are not working correctly, and in the Creators Update, it seems that Microsoft will continue to improve the feature to make resetting your device a lot easier.
Currently, if you go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery, and you launch the Reset This PC experience, you’ll get two options — one to reset your device while keeping your files and the option that removes everything from your PC and restores the factory settings.
However, in the latest Creators Update test preview has been discovered that if you open Start, and launch system reset using the systemreset -cleanpc command, you’ll get a new experience.
Windows 10 Creators Update new reset experience
The new experience is titled “Clean up and update this PC”, and the description reads:
“This feature cleans all apps from your PC, except those that came with Windows, and then updates your PC to the latest version of Windows. All of your personal files and data will be kept. This process could take up to 20 minutes or longer depending on your PC”
As you can see, the new experience isn’t much different than the current feature available in Windows 10. The difference is that the new option not only will keep your files and restore your PC to the factory settings, but it will also reset the operating system and install the latest updates. This will remove the extra step of having to check for updates after the reset.
Additionally, you’ll notice that the “remove everything” option is not available in the this experience. It’s not clear whether Microsoft will remove this option, or if it’ll be added later or it’ll become a separate feature.
In the Anniversary Update, Windows 10 introduced a new refresh tool to enable users to quickly do a clean install of the operating system with the latest update. It could be possible that the company might make it the feature you use to remove everything on your computer, but this is just my opinion.
Of course, it’s not recommended to try this option, as it’s not fully integrated, and there could be a reason why Microsoft hasn’t publicly talked about it.
It’s important to note that the systemreset -cleanpc command isn’t new, you can try the command in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, and it’ll launch the Reset This PC experience.
What do you think about the new new reset to factory default improvements for the Windows 10 Creators Update? Tell us in the comments below.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].