Windows · Troubleshooting
Access Windows Recovery Options
Recovery brings together the tools for fixing a Windows PC that won't start correctly or is having serious problems, including Advanced startup (for Safe Mode, Startup Repair, and command-line recovery tools), System Restore, and Fix problems using Windows Update. It's a broader troubleshooting toolkit than Reset This PC alone, covering scenarios where a full reset is more than you need.
How to open Recovery
- Open Settings → System → Recovery.
- Click 'Restart now' under Advanced startup to reach Safe Mode, Startup Repair, or System Restore.
- Alternatively, click 'Fix problems using Windows Update' if a recent update seems to be the cause.
- Use 'Reset this PC' from the same page only if lighter recovery options don't resolve the issue.
What you should know
- Click 'Restart now' under Advanced startup to reboot into a menu with Safe Mode, Startup Repair, and Command Prompt recovery options.
- Use 'Fix problems using Windows Update' to let Windows attempt an automatic repair by reinstalling recent updates.
- Access System Restore (if enabled) through Advanced startup's 'System Restore' option to roll back recent system changes.
- Reset This PC is also linked from here, for cases where lighter recovery options haven't resolved the issue.
System Restore is not enabled by default on most Windows 11 installations, so having a restore point available when you actually need one requires having turned it on in advance under 'Configure Restore Points' via the classic System Properties dialog.
Why it matters
Recovery is the toolkit you reach for before deciding a full Reset This PC is necessary, covering lighter interventions like Safe Mode for isolating a problematic driver, or Startup Repair for fixing boot issues without touching your installed apps and files at all. Advanced startup in particular is accessible even when Windows won't boot normally, since it can be triggered from the sign-in screen itself. Knowing these options exist, and confirming System Restore is actually turned on before you need it, can be the difference between a five-minute fix and a full reinstall.
Best practices
- Turn on System Restore proactively through 'Configure Restore Points' (search for it in Start), since it's off by default and useless if enabled only after a problem already occurred.
- Try Safe Mode via Advanced startup first when troubleshooting a boot issue you suspect is driver-related, before considering a full reset.
- Use 'Fix problems using Windows Update' specifically when your PC won't start shortly after installing an update, since it targets that exact scenario.
- Reserve Reset This PC for when lighter recovery options genuinely haven't resolved the issue, rather than jumping straight to it.
Common problems and fixes
- PC won't boot normally and you need to reach recovery options.
- Hold the power button to force a shutdown three times in a row during boot to trigger Windows' Automatic Repair environment, which leads into the same Advanced startup menu.
- System Restore option isn't available when you need it.
- This means restore points were never enabled on this PC — going forward, turn on System Restore via 'Configure Restore Points' so points exist the next time you need one.
- 'Fix problems using Windows Update' doesn't resolve a boot issue.
- Try Advanced startup's Safe Mode instead to isolate whether a third-party driver or startup app is the actual cause before considering Reset This PC.
Tips and tricks
- Hold Shift while clicking Restart from the Start menu's power options as a quick way to reach Advanced startup without going through Settings.
- Create a manual restore point right before installing a risky driver or major software change, rather than relying only on automatically scheduled ones.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Recovery and Reset This PC?
Recovery is the umbrella page covering lighter tools like Safe Mode, Startup Repair, and System Restore, while Reset This PC (linked from here) is the more drastic option that reinstalls Windows entirely.
Can I access Recovery options if Windows won't start at all?
Yes, forcing three consecutive failed boot attempts (by holding the power button during startup) triggers Windows' Automatic Repair, which leads into the same Advanced startup menu accessible from within Windows.
Does using System Restore delete my personal files?
No, System Restore only reverts system files, installed apps, and settings to an earlier restore point — your personal documents and files are not affected.
Related settings
- Windows ResetWindows Reset allows you to reinstall the operating system while choosing whether to keep your personal files or remove everything. This option is useful when your PC is experiencing serious performance issues, system corruption, or persistent software problems.
- BackupWindows Backup uses OneDrive to continuously back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, along with your list of installed apps, saved Wi-Fi network passwords, and select personalization settings like your theme and wallpaper. It's designed to make restoring your setup on a new PC, or after a reset, far less painful than starting from scratch.
- System RestartSystem Restart allows you to safely reboot your PC, clearing temporary files and refreshing all running processes. This can resolve many common issues such as slow performance, unresponsive applications, and minor software glitches.
More Troubleshooting guides for Windows
- Network ResetNetwork Reset restores all networking components to their factory default settings. This includes removing all saved WiFi networks, resetting TCP/IP stack, and clearing DNS cache. Use this as a troubleshooting step when other network fixes have not resolved your issue.
- TroubleshootTroubleshoot gathers Windows' built-in automated diagnostic tools in one place, covering internet connections, audio playback and recording, printers, Bluetooth, Windows Update, and more. Each troubleshooter runs a scripted sequence of checks against the specific feature it targets and applies a fix automatically wherever it safely can, instead of requiring you to already know the underlying cause.
- Get Help AppOpens the Get Help app, Microsoft's built-in support tool that provides guided troubleshooting for common Windows problems and can connect you to a live support agent when self-service steps don't resolve an issue.
- Feedback HubOpens the Feedback Hub app, which lets you report bugs, log performance problems with diagnostic traces, and upvote or suggest new features that Microsoft's Windows engineering teams review.
- Task Manager Performance MonitoringOpens Task Manager, which shows real-time resource usage across CPU, memory, disk, GPU, and network, lets you end unresponsive processes, and manage which apps launch automatically at startup.
- Windows Memory DiagnosticRuns the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, which restarts your PC and tests physical RAM for errors that can cause crashes, blue screens, or general instability.