What do Windows 8 Refresh and Reset my PC really do?

Posted by Jerry Nixon on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Jerry Nixon
Published on 2012-10-25T14:56:03Z Indexed on 2012/10/25 17:03 UTC
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windows-8

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In Windows 8 I can reset everything and reinstall Windows. I assume this will clear my drive and start from scratch? Is that right? Does this create a Windows.old folder?

I see this dialog, but aren't my settings and preferences saved in the cloud? If I screw up my settings and reset like this, are my settings also refreshed back to defaults?

Since I use SkyDrive to sync my files, my personal files are safe, right?

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Also, in Windows 8 I can refresh my PC without affecting files. Are my desktop and/or Windows store apps uninstalled when I refresh my PC?

I see this dialog, but I still am not sure. For example, when it says apps are "kept" does that mean I don't have to buy them again or are they installed after the refresh is over for me? I assume "from disk" means desktop apps? Or maybe corp apps?

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What would motivate a user to choose between these two?

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