What files are considered as "Personal Files"?

Question

I'm planning to reset my Windows 10 Laptop. There is "Keep Personal Files" option. What is Personal Files? Are the files in D:\ also considered as Personal Files?

Answer 1

Hi,

Personal files includes documents, photos and videos. If you saved these kind of files in D:, it will be considered as personal files.

If you choose to reset your PC and keep your files, it will:

• Reinstall Windows 10 and keeps your personal files.
• Remove apps and drivers you installed.
• Remove changes you made to settings.
• Remove any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)

Should you have any other concerns, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Answer 2

Good question. 'Personal files' means the files you store in your user account. More specifically, it's the contents of these folders:

Desktop*

Documents

Downloads

Music

Pictures

Saved Games

Searches

Videos

There may be additional folders I'm not aware of that are also included in 'Personal folders.'

*What you see on your desktop is a combination of 3 'desktop' folders: the desktop folder in your personal account, the desktop folder in the Public account, and Windows' own desktop folder.

Although the 'Keep personal files' option works, it's always a good idea to backup your personal files before making major changes to your computer. (It's a good idea to backup every day regardless.)

Nobody knows what you have on your D drive.

Answer 3

Thank you for the answer.

I've already reset my Windows 10 Laptop and choose "Keep Personal Files" option. All of my files in C:\ under user administrator (Documents, Pictures, Downloads, etc.) and in D:\ are safe.