I want to Reset my PC but keep my files & settings, how do I do it?

Anonymous
2024-09-20T20:06:06+00:00

i wish to Reset my PC because I'm having problems with the Touchpad and some windows closing sporafically. I have tried everything to resolve the Touchpad problem but it continues to not work, then work and it continues. The more fixes I try the worse it gets, I have had enough and have been told to revert to original settings. I used Reset on my 6 year old Windows 10 PC and it resolved problems I was experiencing.

I don't know how to do it on my Windows 11 PC and need so me help to get started. Are you able to help?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup

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Solamillo Charity 20,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2024-09-26T01:59:14+00:00

Thank you for getting back to me. Did it just stopped abruptly, or did it have any error codes?

Since you're considering sending the laptop for repair, it’s a smart move to back up everything you might need for a smooth transition.

I would suggest to check this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCTZ9tO_BtI

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install.

Please let me know if you have any more questions, I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-09-21T00:25:17+00:00

    Why did it go wrong this time when it worked perfectly the last couple of times I used it for my own PC? It was very slow at times and showed a screen that indicated it was finished. A couple of times I was about to log in when it carried on resetting or installing.

    I rely on emails in Thunderbird reminding me which account to use and going straight to it from emails for accounts like Firefox and yours. I tried looking for the Firefox and Thunderbird old profiles but I couldn't find them.

    The Credential Manager had a few account names and hidden passwords. One is Microsoft and the other is Acer. I remembered the MS account as it is my login but would have had to try hard for the Acer one- at least until I get Thunderbird up and running or check out the syncing.

    Ctrl + Shift + B does nothing.

    Over time I can set up most of the bookmarks I need but it's the passwords and emails for various accounts that will cause me the most trouble and anxiety.

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  2. Solamillo Charity 20,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-20T22:53:42+00:00

    I'm really sorry to hear about the trouble you're experiencing after the reset.

    If you had Firefox Sync, Edge Sync, or Chrome Sync enabled before the reset, your passwords, bookmarks, and settings may be saved in the cloud. You just need to sign back into your account:

    Open Firefox, Edge, or Chrome.

    Sign in using the same account you were using before the reset (for Firefox, it would be your Firefox Account, and for Edge/Chrome, it’s your Microsoft/Google Account).

    Your data should sync back automatically if it was stored in the cloud.

    In Windows Credential Manager:

    Windows might have stored some passwords locally. You can check the Windows Credential Manager to see if any saved passwords for sites or services can be retrieved:

    Press Windows + S and type Credential Manager.

    Open it and go to Web Credentials or Windows Credentials to see if any passwords are saved there.

    If you didn’t use Firefox Sync, Firefox still makes regular backups of your bookmarks locally:

    Press Ctrl + Shift + B to open the Bookmarks Manager.

    Click on Import and Backup, then Restore. You may see backups from previous dates and can restore them.

    Edge and Chrome:

    As with passwords, signing into your account in Edge or Chrome might restore bookmarks if you had sync enabled.

    Please let me know if this works for you. I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-09-20T22:44:15+00:00

    I'm afraid it was a complete disaster. All my settings, passwords. bookmarks have gone and it will take forever to set the ones I want again. I save all passwords so I don't have to remember them. Firefox and Edge .are on the taskbar but they are empty of everything that existed before the Reset. Chrome or Thunderbird are not there yet they were also on the Taskbar before.

    The only good news is that my files all seem to be in File Explorer. I copied all of them by each folder to a thumb drive in the past day because I feared losing them. I had to do it that way as I received no proper help to backup to a portable drive from this site. Needless to say, I'm no longer a Windows fan, certainly not a Windows 11 fan. Reset worked perfectly for me in Windows 10 a couple of times and kept my old PC going for at least a further year.

    Is there any way of retrieving my passwords.

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  4. Solamillo Charity 20,295 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-20T21:48:59+00:00

    Thank you for the update. Yes, please do. I'll be here if you need further assistance. :)

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