RefreshWindowsTool.exe

Hi jfmclaugh, try resetting your PC from the Windows Recovery Environment, maybe the other options will not be grayed out

Press the Shift Key whilst clicking Restart - this will boot your system into the Windows Recovery Environment

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC

See if the other options are available to you . . .

Don't use the Refresh Tool.

Open Windows Defender Security Center

, select the Device performance & health tab then click Additional info.

Click Get Started then read the description.

Users should note, desktop apps will be removed by Fresh Start, so make sure you have all application discs, product keys and serial numbers nearby. Examples of desktop apps include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Quickbooks and Quicken. Also, some hardware drivers might be affected, so have your device drivers near by. Click Next.

Wait while Fresh Start runs a scan and determine which apps will be removed.

In my case, Fresh Start indicates I will need to reinstall Microsoft Office.

When you are ready, click Start to begin. If not, click Cancel, your installation will not be modified.

Comments

Download PDF

If you are looking for an easy way to perform clean install in Windows 10, starting with the Anniversary Update, the Refresh Tool will help you do just that. Unlike the Reset feature in previous revisions of Windows 10, the Refresh Tool is a bit more automated and easy to use. The application removes personal files, apps, bundled OEM software, and drivers. The most interesting and welcome part of the Refresh Tool is; it installs the most recent build of Windows 10. This means you won’t have to worry about reinstalling Updates or downloading the latest version from Windows Update after setup is complete.

Clean Install Windows 10 Using Fresh Start

To use the Refresh Tool, your computer must be connected to the Internet throughout the entire process. Your computer must also be running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later. It does not work on prior versions of Windows 10 or earlier. To begin, click Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery then click the link, Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows.

Scroll down then click Download tool now.

After downloading, double-click RefreshTool.exe .

Refresh tool setup

Accept the Windows End User License Agreement.

Refresh tool

Choose the type of installation you would like to perform. Please remember, this tool does not give you the option to rollback or perform any type of recovery. Ensure you have your hardware drivers, application discs and setup files available for reinstallation.

Then you have two options:

Keep personal files only: Your applications, drivers, and settings will be deleted. personal files will be kept.

Keep nothing: Everything in addition to your personal files will be deleted.

Refresh Tool 3

After selecting the option you want, click Install to begin. The Refresh Tool will download Windows setup files, then reboot into the setup. This will take some time but will vary depending on the speed of your Internet connection. You have the option to cancel the install before the Refresh tool restarts your computer.

refresh tool 4

Using Fresh Start in Windows 10 Creators Update

In the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft moved the Refresh Tool from Update & security > Recovery to new Windows Defender Security Center app. Refresh Tool is now called Fresh Start and works pretty much same. Start Fresh works offline too, but if you have an active Internet connection, it will download and install the latest version of Windows 10.

To begin, launch Windows Defender Security Center, select the Device performance & health tab then click Additional info.

Click Get Started then read the description.

Users should note, desktop apps will be removed by Fresh Start, so make sure you have all application discs, product keys and serial numbers nearby. Examples of desktop apps include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Quickbooks and Quicken. Also, some hardware drivers might be affected, so have your device drivers near by. Click Next.

Wait while Fresh Start runs a scan and determine which apps will be removed.

In my case, Fresh Start indicates I will need to reinstall Microsoft Office.

When you are ready, click Start to begin. If not, click Cancel, your installation will not be modified.

The process might take sometime, so, sit back, relax while the process takes place.

Comments

Download PDF

If you are looking for an easy way to perform clean install in Windows 10, starting with the Anniversary Update, the Refresh Tool will help you do just that. Unlike the Reset feature in previous revisions of Windows 10, the Refresh Tool is a bit more automated and easy to use. The application removes personal files, apps, bundled OEM software, and drivers. The most interesting and welcome part of the Refresh Tool is; it installs the most recent build of Windows 10. This means you won’t have to worry about reinstalling Updates or downloading the latest version from Windows Update after setup is complete.

Clean Install Windows 10 Using Fresh Start

To use the Refresh Tool, your computer must be connected to the Internet throughout the entire process. Your computer must also be running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later. It does not work on prior versions of Windows 10 or earlier. To begin, click Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery then click the link, Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows.

Scroll down then click Download tool now.

After downloading, double-click RefreshTool.exe .

Refresh tool setup

Accept the Windows End User License Agreement.

Refresh tool

Choose the type of installation you would like to perform. Please remember, this tool does not give you the option to rollback or perform any type of recovery. Ensure you have your hardware drivers, application discs and setup files available for reinstallation.

Then you have two options:

Keep personal files only: Your applications, drivers, and settings will be deleted. personal files will be kept.

Keep nothing: Everything in addition to your personal files will be deleted.

Refresh Tool 3

After selecting the option you want, click Install to begin. The Refresh Tool will download Windows setup files, then reboot into the setup. This will take some time but will vary depending on the speed of your Internet connection. You have the option to cancel the install before the Refresh tool restarts your computer.

refresh tool 4

Using Fresh Start in Windows 10 Creators Update

In the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft moved the Refresh Tool from Update & security > Recovery to new Windows Defender Security Center app. Refresh Tool is now called Fresh Start and works pretty much same. Start Fresh works offline too, but if you have an active Internet connection, it will download and install the latest version of Windows 10.

To begin, launch Windows Defender Security Center, select the Device performance & health tab then click Additional info.

Click Get Started then read the description.

Users should note, desktop apps will be removed by Fresh Start, so make sure you have all application discs, product keys and serial numbers nearby. Examples of desktop apps include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Quickbooks and Quicken. Also, some hardware drivers might be affected, so have your device drivers near by. Click Next.

Wait while Fresh Start runs a scan and determine which apps will be removed.

In my case, Fresh Start indicates I will need to reinstall Microsoft Office.

When you are ready, click Start to begin. If not, click Cancel, your installation will not be modified.

The process might take sometime, so, sit back, relax while the process takes place.

Windows 10 will restart then continue the refresh process.

When complete, a report of apps removed will be placed on the desktop. Open it then use it as a guide to reinstall any removed applications.

Learn more:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/perform-a-clea...