How to reset laptop without losing Microsoft Office

When you perform a factory restore on your computer, all the programs are deleted, including Microsoft Office. With Office 2013, you can sign in to your Microsoft account and reinstall Microsoft Office directly from the website, without the need for your product key or an installation CD. If you'd rather install with a CD, however, you will need to create a CD and get your password from the same site.

Hard Copies

  1. To make a hard copy of a Microsoft Office backup, insert a blank CD, sign in to your Microsoft Office account and then choose "Account Options." Click "Install From a Disk," then click "I have a Disk." The program will start burning an installation CD. Click "View Your Product Key" to see the product key you need to install the program. Make sure to back up your documents before reformatting your computer.

References

  • Microsoft Office: Download, Backup or Restore Office Products
  • Microsoft Office: How Do I Recover or Replace a Lost Microsoft Office Product Key?

Writer Bio

Melly Parker has been writing since 2007, focusing on health, business, technology and home improvement. She has also worked as a teacher and a bioassay laboratory technician. Parker now serves as a marketing specialist at one of the largest mobile app developers in the world. She holds a Master of Science in English.

In case your Windows 11/10 operating system is not performing properly and is, in fact, giving you problems, you may want to consider using the Reset this PC feature that is available in Windows 11/10. This tutorial will show you how to Reset your Windows 10 PC to factory settings without losing files.

How to reset this PC Windows 11

The simplest way to fix your Windows 11 PC when it is not working as desired is to reset it. In most cases, the process proceeds and finishes on its own. So, if you’re having trouble starting your machine, try resetting it first. Here’s how to use the Reset this PC option in Windows 11 to restore Windows to factory settings without losing files.

When in use, the ‘Reset this PC’ option may require missing files and you might be prompted to insert recovery media. This may vary, depending on the PC you are using.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Choose Windows Update.
  3. Go to Advanced Options.
  4. Choose Recovery tab.
  5. Click the Reset PC button.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.

Let’s cover the above process in a bit more detail!

Press Win+I in combination to open the Settings app in Windows 11.

From the Settings panel on the left, choose Windows Update.

Switch to the More Options section on the right.

Advanced Options Tile

Expand the Advanced Options tile by clicking the side arrow.

When directed to the Advanced Options screen, scroll down to the Additional Options section.

Recovery Options

Under it, choose the Recovery menu.

Reset this PC

Then under the Recovery options section, hit the Reset this PC button.

You’ll be given two options.

  • First, keep all your files
  • Second, remove everything.

If you would like everything to be wiped off and start the install afresh, select the latter option i.e., Remove everything. Windows will then seek your permission to remove all files from all drives or only the drive where Windows is installed. You will also be asked if you want to clean the drives too.

Once, you select an option, the Getting things ready screen will appear and kick start the reset process.

You’ll see a list of your apps that will be removed. It will also save a list of removed apps to your desktop which you can access after the reset operation is over.

You might also see a warning stating that This PC was recently upgraded to Windows 11. If you Reset this PC, you won’t be able to undo the upgrade and go back to the previous Windows.

Hit the Next button at the bottom of the screen to move to the next step.

Finally, hit the Reset button. The entire process can take up to an hour to complete. Also, your computer will restart a couple of times.

Reset this PC in Windows 10

To Reset your Windows 10 PC:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Click on Update & security
  3. In the left pane, select Recovery
  4. Now in the right pane, under Reset this PC, click on Get started
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.

Read on for details with screenshots!

From the WinX Menu open Windows 10 Settings and select Update and security as shown below.

reset windows 10

Next click on the Recovery link, which you will see in the left pane. Now under Reset this PC, click on Get started button which you will see on the right side.

You will see the following window open up. If you do not want to lose your files and data, select the Keep my files option. When you select this option, Windows will remove your apps and settings but keep your personal files and data intact.

reset-this-pc-1

If you want to remove everything and start afresh, select the Remove everything option. If you select the Remove everything option, Windows will ask you if you want to remove all files from all drives or only the drive where Windows is installed. You will also be asked if you want to clean the drives too.

Once you make your selection, you will see the following screen, where Windows will tell you that it is getting things ready.

reset-windows-10-pc-2

Once Windows is ready, it will show you a list of your apps that will be removed. It will also save a list of removed apps to your desktop which you can access after the reset operation is over.

Reset this PC windows 10

You have the option to Cancel the reset operation if you wish to. If you wish to proceed, click Next.

You might see a warning stating that This PC was recently upgraded to Windows 10. If you Reset this PC, you won’t be able to undo the upgrade and go back to the previous of Windows.

Click on Next to proceed and you will see this final screen.

Reset Windows 10

Clicking on the Reset button will start the process, which you will not be able to interrupt, so proceed only when you are sure about it.

The process is expected to take an hour or so and your PC may restart a couple of times.

Note: You can also use the Cloud Reset option.

When you reset your Windows 10 PC, all apps, drivers, and programs that did not come with this PC will be removed, and your settings restored back to defaults. Your personal files may be kept intact or removed depending on the choice you made.

As a matter of abundant precaution, I would still suggest that you backup your data to an external drive just to be safe before your reset your Windows 10 OS.

PS: Reset this PC in Windows 10 may fail if you have Get Office app installed.

TIPS:

  1. You can also reset Windows 11/10 without using the Settings app.
  2. This post may help you if you receive a There was a problem resetting your PC  message.
  3. See this post if you see the message Your PC has been reset, but we couldn’t remove all your personal files.
  4. This post may help you if Reset This PC is not working
  5. Go here if Windows fails to boot; Automatic Startup Repair & Reset PC fails & PC goes in loop

Does factory resetting your computer delete everything?

No, it simply puts all applications back into their original state and removes anything that wasn’t there when it was originally shipped to you. So, all apps, drivers, and programs that did not come with it will be removed, and your settings restored back to defaults. Your personal files may be kept intact or removed depending on the choice you made.

A bunch of posts on this website that will help you reset other functions or software:

Our portable freeware FixWin allows you to reset most of the following with a single click.

fixwin 10.1

Reset all Local Group Policy settings | Reset Windows Search | Reset Windows Store apps | Reset Notepad | Reset Windows Store Cache | Reset Recycle Bin | Reset Keyboard settings | Reset Surface Pro devices | Reset Microsoft Edge browser settings | Reset Internet Explorer Settings | Reset Chrome browser settings | Reset Firefox settings | Reset Windows Security settings | Reset Windows Firewall settings | Reset Winsock | Reset TCP/IP |  Reset DNS cache | Reset Windows Update | Reset each Windows Update component | Reset Windows password | Reset Touchpad settings | Reset WinHTTP Proxy Settings | Rebuild Icon & Reset Thumbnail cache | Reset WMI Repository | Reset Data Usage | Rebuild Font cache | Reset App Volume and Device Preferences | Reset Windows Spotlight. | Repair corrupted Registry | Reset Printer.

Will I lose Microsoft Office if I reset PC?

A Reset will remove all your personal apps, including Office.

How do I reset my laptop without losing MS Office?

Step 1..
Hover on "Data Backup" and choose "Next"..
Set the backup file name according to your preference and click "Confirm" to save the backup file on your USB flash drive. ... .
Restore the backup file on the new PC. ... .
Hover on "Data Restore" and move to next step..

Can I reinstall Microsoft Office after a factory reset?

If you don't see Office on your device after doing a Recovery in Windows (also known as Push Button Reset), you must reinstall Office by following the steps in the ReadMe file that was copied to your desktop after the recovery completed.

How do I install Microsoft Office on my laptop after factory reset?

If you really reset your PC to factory defaults then you have lost all of your installed programs and data . You must reinstall Office. If you have a subscription version (Office 365) you can sign in to your Office account at www.office.com/myaccount and reinstall. For older versions, you can reinstall from your CD.