Resetting your Windows 11 PC to its factory settings, effectively erasing all personal data, settings, and applications, can be a beneficial solution for several reasons. This process can help resolve persistent system issues, improve performance, or prepare the device for decommissioning. The “Reset this PC” feature offers a straightforward method to reinstall Windows 11, providing a clean slate.
- To factory reset Windows 11, navigate to `Settings` > `System` > `Recovery`, click the `"Reset PC"` button, and select the `"Remove everything"` option.
- Choose between the `"Local reinstall"` or `"Cloud download"` options, then proceed by clicking `"Next"` and `"Reset"`.
Factory reset Windows 11 from boot (BIOS)
If you’re unable to access the settings menu, you can initiate a factory reset directly from the boot menu.
Step 1: Start your computer.
Step 2: Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), press the Power button again to shut down.
Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice, and on the third restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).
Quick note: Windows 11 provides several ways to access the Advanced startup settings. If you’re having trouble reaching the recovery environment, explore alternative methods.
Step 4: Click the Advanced options button.
Step 5: Click on Troubleshoot.
Step 6: Click the "Reset this PC" option.
Step 7: Select the "Remove everything" option to completely wipe the hard drive and reinstall a fresh copy of Windows 11.
Step 8: Click the "Just remove my files" option if you intend to keep the device, or select the "Fully clean the drive" option if you plan to dispose of it.
Step 9: Choose the "Cloud download" option to re-download Windows 11 instead of using the local image. (If you prefer to use the local image, select the "Local reinstall" option.)
Step 10: Click the Reset button.
Once these steps are completed, the computer will reset to its default settings, removing all data and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows 11. If you choose the "Cloud download" option, the system will download the same version of Windows 11 that was previously installed. This method does not provide an upgrade to a newer version.
Factory reset Windows 11 with cloud download
To reset your Windows 11 computer using the "Cloud Download" option, which downloads a fresh copy of the operating system, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings.
Step 2: Click on System.
Step 3: Click the Recovery page.
Step 4: Click the Reset PC button in the "Reset this PC" setting under the "Recovery options" section.
Step 5: Click the "Remove everything" option.
Step 6: Select the "Cloud download" option to download a new copy of Windows 11.
Step 7: (Optional) Click the Change settings option if you plan to give away or sell the device.
Step 8: Turn on the Clean data toggle switch to securely erase all drives. (This process may take a considerable amount of time.)
Step 9: Click the Confirm button.
Step 10: Click the Next button.
Step 11: Click the Reset button.
Upon completing these steps, a fresh image of the Windows 11 version installed on your computer will be downloaded and used to reset the device, deleting all data from the hard drive.
Factory reset Windows 11 with local reinstall
To factory reset Windows 11 and erase all data on the hard drive using a local image, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings on Windows 11.
Step 2: Click on System.
Step 3: Click the Recovery page.
Step 4: Click the Reset PC button in the "Reset this PC" setting under the "Recovery options" section.
Step 5: Click the Remove Everything option.
Step 6: Select the "Local reinstall" option to use the local image for reinstalling Windows 11, which will remove all data from the computer.
Step 7: Click the Next button.
Step 8: Click the Reset button.
After completing these steps, the feature will reset Windows 11 using the locally available image, erasing everything on the hard drive, including all files, settings, and applications.
What is a factory reset?
On Windows 11, “factory reset” refers to the “Reset this PC” feature. This tool allows you to restore your computer to its original factory default settings. You can choose between using local files or downloading a fresh copy of the operating system from the cloud. This process removes all personal data, settings, and installed applications, providing a clean slate.
Does factory reset remove viruses?
Yes, a factory reset will remove viruses. It erases all data on your device and restores it to its original settings, eliminating viruses along with your files and other software.
When should I use the factory reset option?
A factory reset can resolve issues such as malware infections, privacy concerns, software bugs, and general performance problems. If your device is running slower than usual, consider this option, especially after trying other troubleshooting steps.
What happens if I get an error trying to reset the PC?
If you encounter the "There was a problem resetting your PC" message along with the "No changes were made" message, the best alternative is to perform a clean installation of Windows 11.
How do I reset the PC without losing my files?
If you wish to reset the system to factory defaults but retain your personal files, you can utilize the "Keep my files" option. Alternatively, you can reinstall the operating system using the "Windows Update" option, which preserves your files, settings, and applications.
After the reset process is complete, you will need to complete the initial setup to configure basic system and privacy settings and create a new account, and also remember to re-apply any desired configurations, reinstall applications, and restore files from a backup if needed.