Restore or reset Surface for Windows

Your Surface isn't working well, and it's been a while since you installed anything new: Reset your Surface

Before you reset your device and reinstall Windows, you can choose to keep your files or remove them. If you can't sign in to Windows, try retrieving your password before performing a reset. To learn more, see When you can't sign in to your Microsoft account.

Here’s how to reset your Surface:

1. Select Start > Settings  > System  > Recovery.

   Open Recovery

2. Next to Reset this PC, select Reset PC and choose an option:

   • Keep my files—Reinstalls Windows 11 but keeps your personal files and any apps that came with your PC. This option removes changes you made to settings, as well as apps and drivers you installed.

     Note: We recommend trying this option first unless you’re donating, recycling, or selling your Surface.

   • Remove everything—Reinstalls Windows 11 and any apps that came with your PC. This option removes personal files, changes you made to settings, and apps and drivers you installed.

     Note: If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your Surface, or send it in for replacement, use this option and choose to fully clean the drive. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed.

3. Select Cloud download or Local reinstall. We recommend using Cloud download. Make sure your Surface is connected to the internet. 

You can also get to the reset option by restarting your Surface from the sign-in screen. Here’s how:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key  + L. If you need to, dismiss the lock screen.

2. Hold the Shift key down while you select Power  > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.

3. After your Surface restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

You want to reinstall your previous operating system: Go back to your previous version of Windows

If you recently upgraded to a newer version of Windows and it isn’t working for you, try going back. In most cases, you'll have 10 days to go back. This will keep your personal files, but it'll remove apps and drivers installed since upgrading, as well as any changes you made to settings.

Here’s how to go back to your previous version of Windows on your Surface:

1. Select Start  > Settings  > System  > Recovery.

2. Next to Go back, select Go back. If you don't see this section, too much time has elapsed since you upgraded, and you can no longer go back.

If Windows won't start, use a recovery drive

For more info about using a recovery drive to reinstall Windows, see Creating and using a Surface USB recovery drive.

More troubleshooting options

• Find my BitLocker recovery key

• Recovery options in Windows

• Back up your Windows PC

• Reset Surface Duo to factory settings

• Refresh or reset Surface RT or Surface 2