Windows 10 Reset PC : is it possible to keep my Microsoft Office but clean disk C ?

Question

I got Windows 10 installed on my ASUS laptop.
It is working perfectly fine,
BUT
While studying in college I had to install a lot of programs and apps to do a lot of projects that made my C drive look like a junkyard.
Of course, I deleted a lot of them manually, but they obviously left a lot of traces behind.

Question:
If I want to remove all unnecessary programs, apps from my disk C, is it possible to do it so I don't have to reinstall Microsoft Office
(I was a student hence I got it for free. I am not a student anymore, I cannot download it for free again)

And if so, what between two shall I use :
In Recovery -> Reset this PC -> Keep my files OR Remove everything ??

I appreciate your answer, thank u !

P.S. I duplicated all my personal files. They can be deleted - I don't mind
P.S.S. I am sorry if my question is stupid, but I just want to know for sure !

Answer 1

Unfortunately a reset save files results in the loss of applications.

When performing any of these steps drivers and applications need to be reinstalled:

Reset save files
Windows refresh
Custom install
Clean install

These are steps that can be performed without reinstalling drivers and applications:

System restore
In place upgrade repair:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

Restore an image after making an earlier backup image:
Acronis, Aoemi, EaseUS, Macrium, Paragon, etc.

It may be possible to use fee based third party software to keep applications.
Laplink, EaseUS, etc.

These are links:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4130-reset-windows-10-a.html
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4090-refresh-windows-10-a.html
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/120352-custom-install-windows-10-a.html
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/83441-free-up-drive-space-windows-10-a.html
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/free-up-drive-space-in-windows-a18fae02-a0fa-8df9-9838-8970f9939de4

.
.
.
.
.

Please remember to vote and to mark the replies as answers if they help.

On the bottom of each post there is:

Propose as answer = answered the question

On the left side of each post there is /\ with a number: click = a helpful post
.
.
.
.
.