HP PCs - Improving Device Performance with Windows Security and Fresh Start (Windows 10)

This document is for HP and Compaq computers with Windows 10.

Windows Security helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by viruses and spyware. This document focuses on the performance and health of your PC. Use this document to check PC performance and health or perform a clean reinstallation and update of Windows 10 through Windows Security.

note:
Windows Security steps and screens vary depending on your version of Windows 10.

For business computers, security settings might be managed at the IT level and might not be available to configure or run a Fresh start in Windows. To confirm, contact your company's IT department or your local IT service.

Checking the performance and health of your device with Windows Security

Make sure your device is up to date, has enough storage space for any Windows updates, has current and properly functioning drivers, and has an efficiently working battery. Check the performance and health of your PC:

In Windows, search for and open Windows Security, and then click Device performance & health.

The Health report displays.

The Health report checks on several different aspects of your PC's performance.
- Storage capacity: Checks to see if your PC has the proper storage to perform any necessary Windows updates.
- Battery life: Checks to see if your battery is maximizing its life and efficiency.
- Apps and software: Checks to see if your apps and software need updates or are failing.
- Windows Time service: Checks to see if Windows Time service is disabled.
If there are recommended actions for any of the items in the Health report, click the affected item and follow any on-screen instructions to work toward a solution.

Performing a Fresh start

Fresh start reinstalls and updates Windows to the latest version, all while keeping your personal data and most Windows settings. A Fresh start can improve shutdown and startup times, the use of memory, browsing, battery life, and the performance of Store apps. After performing a Fresh start, most apps need to be reinstalled (and some apps might be removed permanently). If you want to perform a Fresh start, note the following before you begin:

While Fresh start is designed to keep your personal data, HP still recommends backing up your files before reinstalling Windows. Go to HP PCs - Backing Up Your Files (Windows 10, 8) for more information.
Fresh start removes most apps from your PC. Anything that is not a standard Windows app (including Office apps and antivirus software) are removed and must be manually re-installed. If you have a 2010 or earlier version of Office and need help finding your product key, see the Microsoft support article Find your Office 2010 product key (in English).

note:
Make sure you have all product and license keys, re-installation media, and login information necessary to re-install your apps.
Check the HP Software and Driver Downloads page for your computer to make sure any preinstalled software you need is available for re-installation.
You might lose digital licenses, entitlements, and content for purchased apps after a Fresh start.
If your device came with Office 365, see the Microsoft support article Download and install or reinstall Office 365 on a PC (in English) for information on reinstallation.

To perform a Fresh start on your computer:

In Windows, search for and open Windows Security, and then click Device performance & health.
In the Fresh start section, click Additional info.
Click Get started.
If the message Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? displays, click Yes.
Read the Fresh start introductory screen, and then click Next.
On the Your apps will be removed screen, note the apps that will be removed, and make sure you have the appropriate keys, licenses, logins, and any other information necessary to manually re-install anything that might be removed.

note:
The app removal list might not include all the apps being removed during Fresh start.

caution:
If the message Warning! This PC was recently upgraded to Windows 10. If you Reset this PC, you won't be able to undo the upgrade and go back to the previous version of Windows displays, click Next if you still want to perform a Fresh start, or click Cancel to exit.
Read the Let's get started information, and then click Start.

Fresh start begins. When the installation is complete, the Windows desktop opens.

If you want to see the list of removed apps, double-click the Removed Apps icon on the desktop.

HP PCs - Improving Device Performance with Windows Security and Fresh Start (Windows 10)

Checking the performance and health of your device with Windows Security

Performing a Fresh start

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