How to Fix “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC – No Changes Were Made” Error in Windows 11/10

ByVictor
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If you’ve ever tried to reset your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC—only to be met with the frustrating error message “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made”—you’re not alone. This common but cryptic error can halt your troubleshooting efforts, leaving your system stuck in a loop of failed recovery attempts.

The good news? This issue is almost always fixable without losing your personal files—provided you follow the right steps. In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through seven proven methods to resolve this error, including:

Whether you’re a casual user or a tech-savvy enthusiast, these solutions are designed to be safe, effective, and beginner-friendly. Let’s get your Windows reset working again!

Why Does This Error Occur?

Before diving into fixes, it helps to understand why this error happens. The “There was a problem resetting your PC” message typically appears when Windows fails to access or initialize the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)—a hidden partition or file system component essential for factory resets, system restores, and advanced troubleshooting.

Common causes include:

  • Corrupted or missing WinRE configuration
  • Damaged system files or registry hives
  • Disabled recovery environment
  • Disk errors or partition misalignment
  • Failed Windows updates

The methods below directly address these root causes—from quick online repairs to full system reinstalls.

Method 1: Run SFC and DISM Online (Quick System Repair)

If your PC can still boot into Windows, start with the simplest and safest fix: repairing system files using built-in tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
    • Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Run System File Checker (SFC)
    Type the following and press Enter: cmd
sfc /scannow

This scans for and repairs corrupted protected system files. Wait for it to complete (may take 10–20 minutes).

3. Run DISM to Restore Windows Image Health
Next, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This command downloads healthy files from Windows Update to replace damaged ones in your OS image. Be patient—it can take 15–30 minutes

4. Restart and Try Reset Again
After both commands finish successfully, restart your PC and attempt Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.

✅ Success Tip: If SFC reports “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them,” your reset may now work.

Method 2: Rename Corrupted Registry Hive Files

Sometimes, the SYSTEM and SOFTWARE registry hives in C:\Windows\System32\config become corrupted, blocking reset operations. Renaming them forces Windows to rebuild clean versions on next boot.

⚠️ Warning: Only do this if you can access Command Prompt as admin. Incorrect changes can cause boot failure.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as in Method 1).
  2. Navigate to the Config Folder
    Run: cmd
cd %windir%\system32\config

Rename the Critical Registry Files
Execute these commands one at a time:

ren system system.001
ren software software.001
  1. Restart Your PC
    Windows will detect the missing hives and automatically generate fresh ones during startup.
  2. Try Resetting Again
    Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, or use Advanced Startup (Shift + Restart) and choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
    You can now safely select Keep my files or Remove everything.

💡 Note: This method may reset some system settings (like default apps), but your personal files remain untouched.

Method 3: Re-enable Windows Recovery Environment Using reagentc

The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) must be properly enabled for any reset operation to succeed. If it’s disabled or misconfigured, Windows can’t proceed—even if all other components are intact.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Disable WinRE cmd
reagentc /disable

3. Re-enable WinRE

reagentc /enable

4. Verify Status

reagentc /info

Confirm “Windows RE status: Enabled” appears.

💡 If you receive an error like “REAGENTC.EXE: Windows RE cannot be enabled,” your recovery partition may be missing. Proceed to Method 4.

Method 4: Run Offline System File Checker (SFC) from Recovery Environment

If Windows won’t boot or online SFC fails, run SFC offline from the recovery environment.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Boot into Advanced Startup
    Hold Shift while clicking Restart.
  2. Open Command Prompt
    Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
  3. Identify System Drive
    Run: cmd
wmic logicaldisk get deviceid,volumename,description

Note the drive letter (e.g., D:) for your Windows installation.

Run Offline SFC
Replace d with your actual drive letter:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows
  1. Wait and Restart
    Allow 10–30 minutes. After completion, restart and retry reset.

Method 5: Run System Restore from Windows

If your PC boots normally and you have a restore point, System Restore can revert system files and settings to a working state—without affecting personal files.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.
  2. Click Next on the welcome screen.
  3. Select a restore point created before the issue started.
  4. (Optional) Click Scan for affected programs to preview changes.
  5. Click Next, then Finish to confirm.
  6. Your PC will restart and begin restoration. Wait 10–30 minutes.

🔄 System Restore does not delete your documents, photos, or emails—it only rolls back system files, registry, and installed programs.

Method 6: Perform a Fresh Install (Last Resort)

If all else fails, a clean Windows install is the most reliable solution.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Back up all personal files to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Download Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.com
  3. Create a bootable USB drive (8GB or larger)
  4. Boot from USB (change boot order in BIOS/UEFI if needed)
  5. Install Windows fresh
    • Delete all partitions during setup for a true clean slate
    • Reinstall apps and restore files afterward

✅ A clean install resolves 99% of deep system corruption issues and often improves performance.

Bonus: Prevent Future Reset Failures

Once your system is restored, take these steps to avoid this error in the future:

  • ✅ Run sfc /scannow monthly
  • ✅ Keep WinRE enabled (reagentc /info)
  • ✅ Create a recovery drive (Control Panel > Recovery)
  • ✅ Enable System Protection and create manual restore points before major updates
  • ✅ Maintain regular backups (OneDrive, File History, or external drive)

Troubleshooting FAQ

❓ Can I reset my PC without losing files?

Yes! Use “Keep my files” during reset or System Restore. Always back up first.

❓ What if reagentc /enable fails?

Your WinRE image is likely missing. Use installation media to repair or reinstall.

❓ Does renaming system/ software files delete my data?

No—it only resets system registry hives. Personal files remain intact.

❓ How long does DISM take?

Typically 15–30 minutes, depending on internet speed and system health.

Final Thoughts

The “There was a problem resetting your PC – no changes were made” error is frustrating but fixable. With these seven methods, you now have a complete toolkit—from quick online repairs to full system reinstalls.

Start with Method 1 (SFC + DISM) if your PC boots. If not, jump to Method 4 (offline SFC) or Method 7 (clean install). Most users resolve the issue by Method 3 or 4.

🔧 Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide. Share it with friends. And remember—back up your data before attempting any major system changes.

Your Windows PC can be restored to full health. You’ve got this!

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