It does not delete that partition from the disk, and it does not automatically remove other partitions unless you delete or format them yourself during setup. This guide explains what the reset changes, what it leaves alone, and when you need to wipe partitions manually.
What Reset this PC changes
Reset this PC is the built-in Windows 10/11 reset flow. It reinstalls Windows without separate install media and lets you either keep your personal files or remove everything. If you keep the files, only the programs and settings will be reset from the Windows installation on your computer. If you choose the erase everything option, the process removes programs, settings and files. The reset targets the Windows installation, not the whole disk layout. For more details, see Microsoft Support.
Keep my files vs remove everything
If you choose Keep my files, only the programs and settings are reset from the Windows installation, and your personal files are kept. If you choose Remove everything, the process removes programs, settings and files from the reset target. That is a different result from deleting partitions, which removes the data stored in those partitions.
What stays on the disk layout
A partition is a logical section of a disk, so a PC can have a Windows partition and other partitions side by side. Reset this PC works inside that structure. It changes the Windows installation, not the fact that the disk can still contain multiple partitions.
Does Windows reset remove partitions?
No. Reset this PC affects the Windows partition, but it does not remove that partition from the disk. Other partitions are also left alone unless you delete or format them during setup. If you want the partition table gone, you need to remove partitions manually.
Which partitions usually survive?
The Windows partition is the part Reset this PC works on, but other partitions are not deleted just because you reset Windows. Choosing Keep Personal Files will not delete your E: partition. So a second data volume can survive unchanged unless you target it separately.
When the answer changes
The answer changes when you move beyond Reset this PC and start deleting or formatting partitions during Windows setup. During setup, Windows displays a list of available partitions. If you delete or format one, all data in that partition will be removed. If you do not, the existing partition structure stays.
Suppose a PC has an SSD split into C: for Windows and E: for project files. A reset with Keep my files can leave E: untouched while still resetting Windows on C:. That is why a reset and a full disk wipe are different actions.
Why partitions get confused with recovery options
Most confusion comes from recovery partitions and separate data volumes. A recovery partition may hold Windows repair tools, or it may hold a manufacturer restore image. Those are different from a normal data partition, and they do not behave the same way when you reset Windows.
WinRE recovery partition
Windows Recovery Environment, or WinRE, is Microsoft’s built-in recovery environment for repair and boot problems. It is used for recovery tools, not for your personal files.
OEM factory recovery partition
An OEM factory recovery partition is the manufacturer’s restore image. It is different from the Microsoft WinRE partition, even though both are related to recovery.
Multiple drives in one PC
On a desktop with separate SSDs or HDDs, Reset this PC may only touch the Windows installation on the drive that holds it. Other internal drives are separate partitions or separate disks, so they can remain available unless you explicitly target them in setup or with a partition tool.
When Reset this PC is enough
Reset this PC is enough when your goal is a Windows reinstall without repartitioning the disk. It is also the right first step when you want to refresh Windows and keep the current layout. For Windows 11, the path is Settings > System > Recovery.
Single-drive laptop cleanup
On a one-drive laptop, Reset this PC can remove apps and settings while keeping the current partition structure intact. That makes it suitable for a routine cleanup or a repair after a bad update.
What to check before you reset
- Back up important files to another drive or cloud storage.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery in Windows 11, then choose Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything based on your goal.
- Remember that keeping files resets programs and settings, while removing everything also removes files from the reset target.
When you need to wipe partitions instead
You need a manual wipe when the partition itself matters, not just the files on it. That includes resale, donation, or a clean slate for a new Windows install. A reset alone is usually not the final step in those cases. For a clean wipe on a Windows 11 PC to clear all files, see Microsoft Learn.
Selling or donating a PC
If you are handing a machine to someone else, a reset can be a starting point, but it is not the same as deleting the disk layout. For a stronger handoff, use Windows setup media so you can remove partitions before reinstalling Windows.
Malware cleanup or a clean slate
When Windows has serious issues after an update, a reset can help. But if the goal is to remove every partition and start over, you need a reinstall path that lets you delete partitions during setup.
BitLocker and device encryption
Encryption can protect data on a device, but it does not change whether a partition still exists. Encryption is not the same thing as partition removal.
Reset vs wipe partitions decision table
| Situation | Decision |
|---|---|
| Single-drive laptop | Reset this PC is enough if you only need Windows reinstalled and the current layout kept. Partitions usually survive. Safer next step: back up files, then use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. |
| Desktop with multiple drives | Reset this PC is usually not enough if you want every disk cleaned. Other partitions or drives can survive. Safer next step: boot from Windows setup media and delete the target partitions manually. |
| Selling a PC | Reset this PC is often not enough for a full handoff. Recovery partitions may survive. Safer next step: use installation media, remove the partitions you do not want, then reinstall Windows. |
| Malware cleanup | Reset this PC may be enough for a Windows reinstall, but not for a full disk re-layout. Partitions usually survive. Safer next step: reinstall from USB and delete partitions if you need a clean start. |
| OEM factory restore | Reset this PC is not the same thing as the manufacturer’s factory image restore. OEM recovery partitions often survive. Safer next step: use the vendor recovery key or media if you want the original factory image. |
How to remove partitions safely
Use Windows setup media or a recovery USB first. That gives you a recovery path if you delete the wrong partition.
Use Windows setup media or a recovery USB first
Boot from Windows installation media, or from a recovery USB made ahead of time. During setup, Windows shows the available partitions. If you want a true wipe, this is where you decide what to keep and what to delete before the new install starts.
Delete the right partitions with DiskPart
DiskPart is the command-line partition tool for this job, but it is easy to target the wrong disk. Open Command Prompt from setup media, then use the commands only after you have identified the correct disk and partition.
- Boot from Windows setup media.
- Press Shift+F10 to open Command Prompt.
- Type diskpart.
- Type list disk.
- Type select disk n, replacing n with the correct disk number.
- Type list partition.
- Type select partition n, replacing n with the correct partition number.
- Type delete partition.
If DiskPart refuses a protected partition, confirm the partition type first and use the exact DiskPart syntax that applies to that partition class before deleting anything.
How to verify recovery later
After reinstalling, check WinRE with reagentc /info. That is the clearest way to verify the Windows recovery environment is still registered after the reinstall.
Frequently asked questions
Does resetting Windows delete recovery partition?
Usually it does not. Recovery partitions can remain on the disk after a reset. If you remove them intentionally, do it only after creating a recovery USB or a full backup so you still have a way back into repair or restore tools.
Will Reset this PC erase all drives or just C drive?
It is aimed at the Windows installation, not every attached drive. A secondary E: partition can survive, and other disks can remain untouched unless you remove them during setup. If you need every volume cleared, use installation media and review the partition list before continuing.
What’s the difference between WinRE and OEM factory recovery partition?
WinRE is Microsoft’s recovery environment for repair and boot recovery. An OEM factory recovery partition holds the manufacturer’s image. One is for Windows recovery tools; the other restores the original factory state.
Can I delete recovery partitions before or after resetting Windows?
Yes, but only if you already have recovery media or a backup. If you want a fresh install, it is usually safer to boot from Windows setup media, delete the target partitions there, and then reinstall. Deleting recovery partitions first can leave you without a fallback if something goes wrong.
Is Windows reset enough if I’m selling my PC?
Not by itself if you want a true clean handoff. A reset can remove programs, settings, and files, but the partition structure can remain. For resale, the safer next step is to back up what you need, boot from setup media, delete the partitions you no longer want, and reinstall Windows.