Will reset windows 10 delete my files in other drives?

[Claudio Duarte Silva]

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to reset my laptop using the “Reset this PC” option on windows 10. This laptop came originally with the hard drive partitioned into OS(C drive), Data(D drive), recovery and other typical small patitions. If I select the “remove everything” option, will it wipe out my Data drive?

Thanks!

 

[Doctor Rob]

more likely yes.. I would no matter if you just reset or remove everything back the stuff you want up before you do any type of reset with the reset this PC option.

 

[QwerkyPengwen]

In short, whatever files are on the OS drive will be erased, that is, if you were to be using an older version of Windows 10. Stuff on a separate drive that doesn't have the OS on it will be left alone.

Follow this guide here to be able to do a reset that will affect the OS and installed programs and applications, but will leave files alone. Be sure to back up any important files though just in case.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/reset-windows-10-pc

 

[photonboy]

In short, whatever files are on the OS drive will be erased, that is, if you were to be using an older version of Windows 10. Stuff on a separate drive that doesn't have the OS on it will be left alone.

Follow this guide here to be able to do a reset that will affect the OS and installed programs and applications, but will leave files alone. Be sure to back up any important files though just in case.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/reset-windows-10-pc

I believe it keeps the files in specific folders on the OS drive like "Documents" folder... I can't confirm this but I saw this posted:

"Here's what is and is not saved:

Files in your user profile folder (C:\Users\YourName) are saved as expected. It doesn't have to be in a sub-folder (Documents, Pictures, etc) as files saved directly in the profile folder are saved as well.
Files in the system drive are saved. That is, files in C:\ (if C is your system drive) and sub-folders that you created there are safe.
Desipite being in your user profile, AppData is wiped (C:\Users\YourName\AppData). Files there are NOT saved.
Files in Program Files, Program Files (x86), ProgramData, and Windows are NOT saved. This is expected because Windows says "apps" are removed. Windows will make a list of programs removed and put it on the Desktop for you after the reset.
Files stored directly in the users folder (C:\Users) and not in a specific user profile are NOT saved.
The Public user profile (C:\Users\Public) is NOT saved."

Bit messy, but that should include:
Documents
Downloads
Pictures
etc (in the "username" folder)

Probably a "cloud" folder like OneDrive that would have files kept too (or at least that should have a copy on the server which it copies back again).

OTHER:
Reinstall the missing programs etc and if the PC is running great now you may want to:
a) run disk cleanup-> cleanup system files (right-click C-drive) then look for large stuff including the "OLD" Windows folder (used to rollback after some major updates/changes)

b) make a backup IMAGE with a tool like Acronis True Image of the C-drive (highly recommended)

 

[USAFRet]

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to reset my laptop using the “Reset this PC” option on windows 10. This laptop came originally with the hard drive partitioned into OS(C drive), Data(D drive), recovery and other typical small patitions. If I select the “remove everything” option, will it wipe out my Data drive?

Thanks!

Whether it does or does not...you really need to have an offline backup of any critical data you wish to keep.

"Remove everything" will almost certainly kill off the whole system.

 

[photonboy]

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/reset-your-windows-10-system-with-the-remove-everything-option/

*what is the REASON for doing the reset anyway?

If you have some GLITCHES then one option is to do a W10 In-Place Upgrade.

1) insert 8GB+ USB stick
2) download and run MS media creation tool (hour or so depending on network speed)
3) run "setup.exe" from that USB stick from within Windows and follow instructions

That effectively upgrades W10 with...W10. It is pretty safe and basically ends up overwriting some files which may or may not fix some glitches.

If it's due to SPACE then other options exist.

So be clear if you want the best help. WHY are you doing this?