Reset PC or or use Start Afresh option?

sportsfan148 · 15 Dec 2018

Hi,
I have a Dell PC but I clean installed with the Media Creation Tool a long time ago so theres no Dell bloatware etc. Ive used Reset PC in the past. Is there any difference between using Reset PC and the Start Afresh option where... if Im understanding correctly... the latest Windows 10 version/build is redownloaded from scratch.
Im struggling to see how this is any better than Reset PC. If I remember correctly Reset PC also uses the most up to date build anyway and gives you the same clean installation. What am I missing?

NavyLCDR · 15 Dec 2018

I believe both options are probably the same. However, neither of those options downloads the latest Windows 10 version from scratch. Both options use files contained in the WinSxS folder to rebuild the OS from files on the HDD, not downloaded.

In my opinion, most people needing to use the system reset or start fresh options would be better served to just do a clean install on the system.

AddRAM · 15 Dec 2018

Or use Macrium

Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

sportsfan148 · 15 Dec 2018

I always found Reset PC to be a quick and easy first option to try and its worked well in the past but I wondered if the new start fresh option was somehow better. Microsoft certainly know how to confuse matters lol It used to be Reset or Refresh. Now both of those options seem to be amalgamated under Reset (keep personal files for Refresh or remove everything for Reset). Now theres another option-Start Fresh. The benefits of Start Fresh over Reset though aren't clear to me at all.
Clean install with Media Creation Tool is my go to option if that doesn't work though.

Ztruker · 15 Dec 2018

This is the first response I got doing a search for fresh start via Cortans:

Give your PC a Fresh Start

Fresh Start lets you perform a clean reinstallation and update of Windows while keeping your personal data and most Windows settings intact. In some cases, a clean installation may improve your device's startup and shutdown experience, memory usage, Microsoft Store apps performance, browsing experience, and battery life.

To use Fresh Start, select Start > Settings > Update & security > Windows Defender > Device performance & health. Under Fresh Start, select Additional info > Get Started.

Note: Fresh Start will remove most of your apps, including Microsoft Office, third-party anti-virus software, and desktop apps that came pre-installed on your device. You will not be able to recover removed apps, and will need to manually reinstall these apps later. You may also lose your digital licenses and digital content associated with apps, which may impact your ability to use these apps or app-related content you paid for.

sportsfan148 · 16 Dec 2018

Ztruker said:

This is the first response I got doing a search for fresh start via Cortans:

Thanks mate. Ive searched the internet and read that before. It still isn't clear to me though why Microsoft have introduced Fresh Start and what advantage Fresh Start or Start Afresh as its sometimes called has over Reset PC. Reset PC and selecting to keep your personal files (which is a Refresh), rather than Reset PC and selecting the Remove Everything option (which is a clean install), seems to me to do exactly the same thing as the new Start Afresh option.