What Is the Difference Between Local Reinstall and Cloud Download?

When I try to reset my PC, I have two options: Cloud Download or Local Reinstall. What is the difference between local reinstall and cloud download? Which option is best for my situation?

Best Answered by

Jerry· Answered on Dec 20, 2023

The Cloud Download is a new feature in Windows 10 that directly gives a fresh copy of Windows from the Microsoft server without using the local files on your PC. Resetting your PC with a Cloud Download is a fantastic option if you have poor or corrupted system files. If you want to try this, you must have internet access.

However, you can select the local reinstall if you only need to restart your computer due to a minor problem and don't want to eat up Internet data.

Either Local Reinstall or Cloud Download will work fine for your PC. If your PC isn't corrupted and you have a fast internet connection without strict download restrictions, either method should restore it to like-new condition reasonably.

  • Use Cloud Download if you have a fast internet connection and don't care about data usage. You might shorten the process.
  • Use Local Reinstall if your connection is slow or you wish to prevent additional downloads. You'll stay away from pointless downloads.
  • Use Cloud Download if your PC isn't functioning properly or if you've already tried Local Reinstall and it didn't work.

Whichever option you select, your computer will arrive at the same location with a brand-new Windows installation.

Furthermore, you won't need to worry because a notification will let you know if a Local Reinstall fails. Windows won't just be reinstalled with the damaged system files. If the Reset This PC procedure succeeds, it goes smoothly.

It is worth noting that data backup is a topic that comes to mind when discussing resetting or reinstalling Windows. Therefore, backing up your data before starting a reinstallation is also crucial. You can back up your essential files using EaseUS Todo Backup. It lets you automatically back up your files to an external drive. A novice can use it to back data because it is easy to use.

Related article: Cloud Download or Local Reinstall Windows 11/10?

Download EaseUS Todo Backup to Protect Computer Data!

Find best solutions to computer backup, cloud storage, data security, and disk cloning with full guidance.