Missing display, network, or audio after a reset usually means Windows booted with a generic or missing driver; the quickest first check is Device Manager, then Windows Update, then the PC maker’s support page. Reset this PC can keep some drivers and replace others depending on the reset mode, so the post-reset check matters as much as the reset itself.
What does a Windows reset do?
Reset this PC is Windows’ built-in reset path. On Windows 11, start it in Settings > System > Recovery; on Windows 10, use Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. It reinstalls Windows, with Keep my files preserving personal data and Remove everything wiping personal data for a deeper cleanup or resale. Cloud download and Local reinstall are the two reset delivery methods. (per Microsoft support) (Microsoft Learn)
That means a reset is not a guaranteed driver wipe, and it is not a guaranteed driver backup either. Some hardware comes back on its own through Windows inbox drivers, while other devices need the OEM package or a vendor package again after reboot.
Why drivers change after a reset
Windows inbox drivers are the built-in drivers that come with Windows setup, so they can appear again after a reset even when a custom package is gone. OEM or manufacturer drivers may still be present on some systems, but Windows can also fall back to a generic version during setup. Third-party drivers are the ones to watch most closely.
Say your laptop shipped with an OEM touchpad package and later picked up a newer GPU driver from the graphics vendor. After a reset, Windows may boot with a basic display driver while the touchpad still works, or it may swap one device to an inbox driver while another waits for the vendor package.
Will Keep my files keep drivers?
Keep my files keeps your personal files and accounts, but Microsoft’s guidance says it will likely not remove or reinstall any drivers. It also removes changes made to settings and can leave you with some custom driver settings reset. Treat it as a Windows reinstall that preserves data, not a driver preservation tool. (per Microsoft support) (Microsoft Learn)
That is why the first post-reboot check should be hardware, not documents. Open Device Manager and look for warning symbols, devices under “Other devices,” or a fallback display adapter name.
What to verify after reboot
- Open Device Manager from the Start menu.
- Expand Display adapters, Network adapters, and Sound, video and game controllers.
- Look for a generic name such as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter or an item with a yellow warning icon.
- If a device is missing, right-click it and choose Update driver.
- If Windows turns up nothing useful, open the PC maker’s support page for the exact model and install the matching package.
Does Remove everything delete drivers?
Remove everything reinstalls Windows and removes all your personal files, apps, and settings. It is the deeper cleanup choice and the better fit for resale or a broken user profile. It does not guarantee that every OEM driver vanishes, but it is more likely to leave you reinstalling device packages afterward. (per Microsoft support) (Microsoft Support)
Custom hardware is where this matters most. Gaming PCs, laptops with OEM utilities, and systems with upgraded GPUs often depend on model-specific software that Windows may not replace on its own.
When to reinstall from the OEM support page
- Open Device Manager and identify the device that is missing or using a generic driver.
- Visit the PC maker’s support page for the exact model number.
- Download the matching chipset, Wi-Fi, audio, or GPU package.
- Install the package, then restart.
- Return to Device Manager and confirm the device name no longer shows a warning icon.
Does Cloud reinstall change driver behavior?
Cloud download and Local reinstall both use Reset this PC, but Cloud download pulls a fresh Windows image instead of using the local one. A fresh image does not guarantee driver retention. It may still bring back Windows inbox drivers first, then leave OEM or third-party packages to Windows Update or the vendor site. (per Microsoft support)
In practice, Cloud download matters when the local Windows image is damaged. It does not change the basic rule that device-specific packages may need to be installed again after the reset completes.
What to confirm after the reset finishes
- Open Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
- Open Device Manager and look for missing or generic devices.
- If a device is still wrong, install the OEM package for that exact model.
- Use the GPU vendor site for graphics packages when the PC maker does not publish a newer one.
- Restart after each driver install.
Driver survival matrix
This matrix separates Windows inbox, OEM/manufacturer, and user-installed drivers so you can judge what usually needs attention after each reset path. It does not promise that a specific driver will survive; it shows the most practical post-reset check for each class.
| Driver type | Typical examples | Keep my files | Remove everything | Cloud reinstall | Post-reset action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows inbox drivers | Basic display, generic storage, common audio, built-in network support | Usually still available, but confirm the device name | Usually still available, but Windows may reinstall a generic version | Usually available from the fresh image, but not guaranteed for every device | Check Device Manager and Windows Update first |
| OEM / manufacturer drivers | Laptop touchpad, OEM audio stack, chipset bundle, vendor Wi-Fi package | Often still present, but some settings may reset | May need reinstalling from the PC maker’s support page | May need reinstalling if Windows falls back to inbox drivers | Install the exact model package from the manufacturer |
| User-installed drivers | New GPU package, printer driver, upgraded network adapter, aftermarket audio device | Less predictable; verify after reboot | More likely to need reinstalling | Fresh image may not keep them | Restore from backup or reinstall from the vendor site |
Before a reset, Microsoft also notes that you can back up third-party driver packages to an external drive and restore them afterward if needed. That is the safest move when the PC depends on a specific GPU, printer, Wi-Fi, or audio package. (per Microsoft support)
What if display, network, or audio fails?
If a reset leaves one of those devices dead, start with the device class that blocks everything else. A missing display driver can hide the rest of the machine, while a missing network driver can block update downloads, and a missing audio driver is usually easier to fix later. The first pass should be Device Manager, then the right vendor package.
No-display triage checklist
- Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B to restart the graphics driver.
- Open Device Manager and expand Display adapters.
- If you see Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, install the OEM or GPU vendor package for the exact card.
- Restart after installation.
No-network triage checklist
- Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
- Check whether Ethernet or Wi-Fi appears with a warning symbol or as an unknown device.
- Install the chipset or Wi-Fi package from the OEM support page for the exact model.
- If the PC has an Ethernet port, plug in a cable so Windows Update can fetch the right package.
- Restart and confirm the adapter returns.
No-audio triage checklist
- Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Check whether the audio device is missing or shown with a warning icon.
- Install the OEM audio package for the device or laptop model.
- Open Settings > System > Sound and choose the correct output device.
- Restart if the device list still looks incomplete.
Suppose a desktop with an upgraded GPU boots after Remove everything but shows only a generic display adapter at 1024-by-768. Install the GPU package first, then the monitor usually returns to its normal resolution once the vendor driver loads.
Frequently asked questions
Does windows 11 reset keep drivers?
Windows 11 reset can keep some drivers, but it does not guarantee that every driver survives. Keep my files is the least disruptive path, while Remove everything is more likely to require reinstalling device packages. Start in Settings > System > Recovery, then check Device Manager after the reboot.
Does resetting windows delete drivers?
Resetting Windows can remove or replace some drivers, especially custom packages. Microsoft’s guidance says Keep my files will likely not remove or reinstall any drivers, but the device may still come back with a generic version. If that happens, reinstall from Device Manager or the vendor support page.
Does windows reset remove drivers?
It can, but not in a single guaranteed way. Reset this PC reinstalls Windows, and the result depends on Keep my files versus Remove everything plus Cloud download versus Local reinstall. If a device loses its custom package, Device Manager is the first place to confirm what Windows loaded instead.
Will my manufacturer drivers survive a Windows reset?
Some may, some may not. OEM drivers often remain usable after a reset, but Windows can still swap in an inbox driver or reset custom settings. The safest plan is to back up third-party driver packages before the reset and reinstall the exact OEM package afterward if the device name changes.
What happens to graphics and network drivers after Reset this PC?
Graphics and network drivers are among the first to show problems if Windows falls back to a generic package. Open Device Manager, check Display adapters and Network adapters, then reinstall the GPU, Wi-Fi, or chipset package from the PC maker or component vendor if Windows shows a basic driver.
Should I back up drivers before resetting Windows?
Yes, if you rely on a custom GPU, Wi-Fi, printer, or audio package. Microsoft notes that you can back up third-party driver packages before the reset and restore them afterward from an external drive. That is the best fallback when the OEM site does not offer a quick reinstall path.
Do keep my files and cloud reinstall change driver behavior?
Yes, but in different ways. Keep my files is less disruptive to installed drivers, while Cloud download refreshes the Windows image and can still leave you needing OEM or third-party packages. Neither option guarantees that custom drivers stay exactly as they were before the reset.
Which drivers usually need reinstalling after a reset?
Third-party drivers are the first ones to check: GPU, printer, network, touchpad, and audio packages. If Windows loaded a generic version, Device Manager will show the change quickly. Reinstall the exact package from the OEM support page or the component vendor, then restart and verify the device name again.