Are you experiencing issues with your Xbox, such as freezing, slow performance, or corrupted data? If so, you may be considering resetting your console to its factory settings. However, before you do, you’re probably wondering what will happen to your games and apps. Will they be deleted forever, or can you save them? In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you reset your Xbox but keep games and apps, so you can make an informed decision.
What Happens During an Xbox Reset?
When you reset your Xbox, you have two options: a soft reset and a hard reset. A soft reset, also known as a “refresh,” removes all downloaded games and apps, but saves your game saves, achievements, and console settings. A hard reset, on the other hand, completely wipes your console clean, deleting all data, including game saves and settings.
If you choose to reset your Xbox but keep games and apps, you’ll be performing a soft reset. This type of reset is useful if you’re experiencing issues with your console, such as corrupted data or software glitches, but you still want to hold onto your games and apps.
What Gets Deleted During a Soft Reset?
When you perform a soft reset, the following data is deleted:
- All downloaded games and apps
- Installed updates for games and apps
- Temporary files and data
- Console cache and other system files
However, the following data is preserved:
- Game saves and progress
- Achievements and rewards
- Console settings, including parental controls and online safety settings
- Xbox Live profiles and account information
How Do I Reset My Xbox and Keep Games and Apps?
To reset your Xbox and keep games and apps, follow these steps:
Method 1: Soft Reset from the Xbox Dashboard
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Scroll right to the “System” tab.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Select “System” again.
- Select “Console info.”
- Select “Reset console.”
- Choose “Reset and keep my games & apps.”
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset process.
Method 2: Soft Reset from the Xbox Startup Screen
If your Xbox is experiencing issues and won’t boot up properly, you can perform a soft reset from the startup screen:
- Press and hold the Xbox button on your console for 10 seconds to turn it off.
- Press and hold the Xbox button again to turn it back on.
- Immediately start pressing the “RB” button on your controller.
- Continue pressing “RB” until the Xbox logo appears on your screen.
- Release the “RB” button and follow the prompts to complete the reset process.
What Happens to My Games and Apps After a Soft Reset?
After performing a soft reset, your games and apps will be removed from your console. However, you can easily reinstall them from the Microsoft Store or by inserting the game disc.
Important note: If you’ve purchased games or apps digitally, you won’t need to repurchase them. Simply sign in to your Xbox Live account, and you’ll be able to download them again from the “Ready to install” section of the Microsoft Store.
Reinstalling Games and Apps
To reinstall games and apps, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Xbox Live account.
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Scroll down to the “My library” section.
- Select “Games” or “Apps” to view your purchased titles.
- Select the game or app you want to reinstall.
- Click “Install” to begin the download process.
- Wait for the game or app to download and install.
What About My Saved Games and Progress?
One of the biggest concerns when resetting an Xbox is losing saved game progress. Fortunately, when you perform a soft reset, your game saves are preserved. This means you won’t lose your progress in games, and you can pick up where you left off after reinstalling the game.
Important note: If you’re playing games that use cloud saves, such as Xbox Game Pass titles, your saved game data is stored in the cloud, so you won’t need to worry about losing progress.
Cloud Saves
Cloud saves are a convenient feature that allows you to access your saved game data from any Xbox console. When you play games that use cloud saves, your progress is automatically synced to the cloud, so you can pick up where you left off on any device.
To use cloud saves, make sure you’re signed in to your Xbox Live account, and that the game you’re playing supports cloud saves. You can check the game’s settings or description to see if it uses cloud saves.
Conclusion
Resetting your Xbox can be a daunting task, especially if you’re worried about losing your games and apps. However, by performing a soft reset, you can remove corrupted data and software glitches while preserving your game saves and progress. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can reset your Xbox and keep your games and apps, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Remember, if you’re experiencing issues with your Xbox, it’s always a good idea to try troubleshooting before resorting to a reset. You can find troubleshooting guides and tutorials on the Xbox support website or by contacting Xbox support directly.
By taking the time to understand what happens when you reset your Xbox and keep games and apps, you can feel confident in your decision and get back to gaming in no time.
Will I lose my game saves if I reset my Xbox?
When you reset your Xbox, you will lose all locally saved data, including game saves. However, if you have synced your progress with the cloud or have a subscription to Xbox Live Gold, you can easily recover your game saves.
To recover your game saves, simply sign back into your Xbox account and sync your data with the cloud. Your game saves will be downloaded from the cloud, and you can pick up where you left off. It’s essential to note that not all games support cloud saving, so be sure to check the game’s settings before resetting your Xbox.
Will I lose my installed games if I reset my Xbox?
Resetting your Xbox will uninstall all installed games and apps. However, you won’t lose access to the games you’ve purchased or downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Your game licenses are tied to your Microsoft account, so you can easily reinstall your games after resetting your Xbox.
To reinstall your games, go to “My Games & Apps,” then select “Ready to Install.” You’ll see a list of all the games you’ve purchased or downloaded. Simply select the games you want to reinstall, and they’ll be downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
Can I reset my Xbox without losing my achievements?
Resetting your Xbox will not affect your achievements. Your achievements are tied to your Xbox profile and are stored on Microsoft’s servers. So, even if you reset your Xbox, your achievements will remain intact.
When you sign back into your Xbox account, your achievements will be synced with your profile, and you’ll still be able to view them in your profile or on the Xbox Achievements app.
What happens to my apps if I reset my Xbox?
Resetting your Xbox will uninstall all installed apps, including streaming services, social media apps, and more. You’ll need to reinstall them after resetting your Xbox. However, you won’t lose any data or settings associated with those apps, as long as you sign back into your account.
To reinstall your apps, go to the Microsoft Store, search for the app you want to reinstall, and select “Install.” You may need to sign into the app with your account credentials, but your data and settings should be restored.
Will I lose my Xbox Live Gold subscription if I reset my Xbox?
Resetting your Xbox will not affect your Xbox Live Gold subscription. Your subscription is tied to your Microsoft account, so you’ll still have access to Xbox Live Gold benefits, such as online multiplayer gaming, free games, and discounts.
To continue using Xbox Live Gold, simply sign back into your Xbox account, and you’ll be able to access all the benefits of your subscription.
Can I reset my Xbox without losing my DLC?
Resetting your Xbox will not affect any downloaded DLC (downloadable content) for your games. Your DLC is tied to your Microsoft account and is stored on Microsoft’s servers. So, even if you reset your Xbox, you’ll still have access to your DLC.
To access your DLC after resetting your Xbox, simply reinstall the game associated with the DLC, and the DLC should be available for use. If you have any issues, you can try reinstalling the DLC from the Microsoft Store.
How do I reset my Xbox?
To reset your Xbox, go to the “Settings” app, then select “System” and “Console info.” Select “Reset console” and follow the prompts to complete the reset process. You’ll be given the option to reset your Xbox while preserving your apps and games or to perform a full reset, which will uninstall all apps and games.
Be sure to back up any locally saved data and sync your progress with the cloud before resetting your Xbox to avoid losing any important data.