What Resetting Your Surface Tablet Does

A reset removes all your personal files, apps, and settings and returns your Surface tablet to the state it was in when you first turned it on. Windows offers two types of reset: Keep my files, which removes apps and settings but saves your documents and photos, and Remove everything, which deletes everything on the device. Choose the first option if you want to start fresh but keep your files. Choose the second if you're selling the tablet, giving it away, or dealing with a serious software problem.

Before you reset, back up anything you need. Even if you choose "Keep my files," unexpected things can happen during a reset. Copy important documents to a USB drive, cloud storage like OneDrive, or an external hard drive. Once you start the reset process, you cannot stop it partway through.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your files to OneDrive, a USB drive, or external storage before starting any reset.
  • Open Settings, go to System, then Recovery to find the reset options on your Surface tablet.
  • The "Keep my files" reset removes apps and settings but saves documents and photos; "Remove everything" deletes all personal data.
  • A full reset takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your tablet's storage and speed.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account and reinstall your apps.

How to Access the Reset Options

Start by connecting your Surface tablet to power. You need a full battery or a charging cable nearby because the reset process cannot pause, and losing power halfway through can damage Windows. Then swipe in from the right edge of the screen or press the Windows key and the letter I together to open Settings.

In Settings, tap or click System in the left menu. Scroll down and select Recovery. You will see two buttons: "Reset this PC" and "Go back" (if you recently upgraded Windows). Tap "Reset this PC" to begin.

Choosing Between Keep My Files and Remove Everything

After you tap "Reset this PC," Windows asks which type of reset you want. Keep my files removes all your apps and Windows settings but leaves your Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and Desktop folders intact. This is the faster option and takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Choose this if your tablet is running slowly because of too many apps, or if you want a clean start but need your files.

Remove everything deletes all your personal files along with the apps and settings. This takes 45 minutes to an hour because Windows has more data to erase. Choose this if you plan to sell or give away the tablet, or if you suspect a serious virus or malware problem. After this reset, the tablet will look exactly as it did in the store.

What Happens During the Reset

Once you select your reset type and confirm, Windows will restart your tablet. You will see a progress screen that says "Resetting your PC" with a percentage counter. Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during this time. The screen may go dark or show the Windows logo several times — this is normal.

If you chose "Keep my files," Windows will remove apps one by one. If you chose "Remove everything," the process takes longer because Windows is also erasing your personal data. The tablet may restart multiple times. This is expected. Just leave it plugged in and let it finish.

Setting Up Your Tablet After the Reset

When the reset finishes, your Surface tablet will restart and show the Windows setup screen, just like the first time you turned it on. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it on another device before you start the tablet reset, or use a phone number or backup email address to verify your identity during setup.

After you sign in, Windows will ask you to choose your privacy settings. You can accept the defaults or customize them. Then your tablet is ready to use. If you chose "Keep my files," your documents and photos will be in their original folders. You will need to reinstall any apps you want from the Microsoft Store or other sources.

Common Problems During a Reset

If your tablet gets stuck on the "Resetting your PC" screen for more than two hours, it may have frozen. Hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to restart. If it freezes again, you may need to use a recovery drive on another computer — contact Microsoft Support for help with this step.

If you see an error message like "There was a problem resetting your PC," try the reset again from the beginning. Make sure you are connected to power and that you have at least 10 gigabytes of free storage space. If the error happens again, the tablet may have a hardware problem that requires professional repair.

When to Use Reset Instead of Other Fixes

A reset is a last resort, not a first step. If your tablet is running slowly, try restarting it first — hold the power button, tap "Restart," and wait for it to come back on. If apps are crashing, try uninstalling them instead of resetting the whole device. If Windows is not responding, try holding the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it back on.

Reset your tablet only if it is infected with malware that you cannot remove, if you are selling or giving it away, or if Windows will not start at all. For any other problem, a restart or app removal usually works faster and keeps your files and settings intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop the reset once it starts?

No. Once you confirm the reset, Windows begins when ready and cannot be interrupted. This is why backing up your files first is so important. If you change your mind before you tap the final confirmation button, close Settings and your tablet will continue running normally.

Will I lose my Microsoft account after a reset?

No. Your Microsoft account is tied to your email address, not to the tablet. After the reset, you sign in with the same email and password, and your account settings sync back to the tablet. Any files you stored in OneDrive will also reappear.

How long does a reset take?

A "Keep my files" reset usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. A "Remove everything" reset takes 45 minutes to an hour. The exact time depends on how much storage your tablet has and how fast the processor is. Older tablets or those with large amounts of data may take longer.

Do I need a recovery drive to reset my Surface tablet?

No. The reset option in Settings works without a recovery drive. You only need a recovery drive if Windows will not start at all and you cannot reach the Settings menu. In that case, you would create a recovery drive on another computer and use it to restart your tablet.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Before you start the reset, go to account.microsoft.com on another device and reset your password using your phone number or backup email. Then use the new password when you sign in after the reset finishes. If you do not have access to those recovery options, you may not be able to sign in after the reset.