How to factory reset your Windows 11 PC and start over safely

Even if you plan to select Keep my files, make a separate backup of anything you cannot afford to lose. A reset is designed to preserve files when that option is selected, but it is not a substitute for a verified backup.

Copy important documents, photos, videos, music, and other personal files to an external drive or a cloud service. Check application-specific data as well, including game saves that don’t use cloud sync, local email archives, browser bookmarks, password-manager exports, and project files stored outside your usual Documents folder.

Windows Backup can help save selected folders, settings, and app information to your Microsoft account and OneDrive. You can open it from Start by searching for Windows Backup, or go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup. Check that the folders you need are actually backed up before proceeding.

You should also make sure you know your Windows sign-in details and have access to any software licenses you may need again. If your PC uses BitLocker or Device Encryption, locate your recovery key before starting. Microsoft says the key may be stored in your Microsoft account, a work or school account, a printout, or another location chosen when encryption was enabled.

Finally, connect your laptop to its charger. A reset can take a while, and losing power halfway through is an avoidable complication. But regardless, Windows 11 laptops don’t let you reset a PC without having it connected to a power source.

The main reset process is the same on a Windows 11 desktop or laptop. You do not need a USB drive for the built-in Reset this PC feature.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select System, then scroll down and choose Recovery.

Step 2: Under Recovery options, find Reset this PC and select Reset PC.

Step 3: Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose the option that matches what you’re trying to do.

Keep my files reinstalls Windows while retaining your personal files. It removes installed applications and resets settings, so you should expect to reinstall programs afterwards. Remove everything deletes your personal files, applications, and settings and is the appropriate choice for a fresh start or a computer you’re preparing to give away.

Step 4: Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall. Cloud download retrieves fresh Windows installation files from Microsoft and is useful when you suspect the local recovery files are damaged. Local reinstall uses files already on the PC and can be more convenient when your internet connection is slow or unavailable.

Step 5: Review the Additional settings screen. Depending on your choices and the computer’s storage configuration, you may see options for restoring preinstalled apps, cleaning data, or deleting files from additional drives. Select Change settings if you need to adjust them.

Step 6: Select Next and review the final summary. If you chose Keep my files, Windows may show a list of applications that will be removed. Make sure you have everything you need to reinstall them later.

Step 7: Select Reset when you’re ready. Windows will restart and begin reinstalling itself. Leave the computer connected to power and allow the process to finish.

Microsoft warns that the screen can remain black for an extended period, occasionally more than 15 minutes, and the PC may restart several times. Avoid forcing it off simply because the display appears inactive, since interrupting the reset can cause it to fail.

Once the process finishes, Windows will either return you to your account or begin the initial setup experience, depending on the reset option you selected.

If Windows is still starting normally and you’re trying to fix a software problem, a full reset might be a drastic solution. Windows 11 includes a less disruptive repair called Fix problems using Windows Update. It reinstalls the current version of Windows while preserving your personal files, installed apps, and settings. To use it, open Settings > System > Recovery, then select Reinstall now under Fix problems using Windows Update. Keep the PC connected to power and the internet while it completes.

You can also try uninstalling a recent update or using System Restore if the problem began after a driver, app, or settings change. Newer Windows 11 systems may offer Point-in-time restore, which rolls the entire system back to a recent snapshot. Be careful with that option: unlike traditional System Restore, it can also roll back personal files and other changes made after the selected restore point. So if those options don’t help, or you simply want to remove your data before handing the computer to someone else, Reset this PC is the appropriate next step.

The simplest way to decide is to think about who will use the computer after the reset.

Your situation	Recommended option	What to expect
Fixing Windows while keeping your documents and photos	Keep my files	Windows is reinstalled; apps and settings are removed
Starting over on a PC you still own	Remove everything	Personal files, apps, and settings are removed
Selling, donating, or giving away the PC	Remove everything + Clean data	Removes your data and makes recovery more difficult
Repairing Windows while keeping apps and settings	Fix problems using Windows Update	Reinstalls the current Windows version with less disruption

If you are keeping the computer, Keep my files is generally the better first reset option. If you are handing it to another person, Remove everything is the safer choice.

Preparing a computer for a new owner requires a little more care than resetting one you plan to keep.

Start by backing up your data, then follow the main reset instructions and choose Remove everything. When Windows presents the additional settings, enable Clean data. This takes longer, but Microsoft says it makes removed files harder to recover.

If the PC has multiple internal drives, carefully review any option to delete files from all drives. Only enable it if you intend to erase the data on those drives as well. Disconnect external backup drives before beginning so there is no chance of selecting the wrong storage device.

The built-in cleaning option is intended for ordinary consumer resale and recycling. It does not meet formal government or industry data-erasure standards. If the computer contains highly sensitive business information, follow your organization’s sanitization policy or use an appropriate professional erasure method.

After Windows finishes resetting, stop at the initial setup screen rather than signing back into your personal account. The next owner can complete setup using their own details. You can also remove the device from your Microsoft account by visiting your account’s device-management page and selecting the relevant removal option.

When Windows reaches the sign-in screen but you cannot access your account, you can still open the recovery tools.

Step 1: On the sign-in screen, select the Power icon.

Step 2: Hold Shift on your keyboard and select Restart. Keep holding Shift until Windows begins opening the recovery environment.

Step 3: On the blue recovery screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

Step 4: Choose Keep my files or Remove everything, then follow the same reset options described earlier.

If Windows cannot start at all, it may automatically enter the Windows Recovery Environment after repeated failed startup attempts. You can also access recovery through Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now while Windows is still working.

Before resetting an unbootable PC, try Startup Repair or uninstalling a recent update if the problem began immediately after an update. Windows 11 also includes Quick machine recovery on supported versions, which can check Windows Update for a Microsoft-provided fix to certain widespread startup failures. That feature may resolve the issue without erasing your files or reinstalling Windows.

In case none of the recovery options works, you may need Windows 11 installation media or a recovery image from your PC manufacturer. A manufacturer-provided image can be useful when you want the original drivers and factory applications restored along with Windows.

Windows 11 has gained several recovery options since Windows 10 days, and they are worth distinguishing from a standard factory reset. Point-in-time restore became generally available in June 2026. On supported systems, it can return Windows, applications, settings, and local files to a recent automatic snapshot. Restore points are normally retained for up to 72 hours, and changes made after the selected point are lost.

Microsoft also introduced Cloud rebuild through an Experimental Windows Insider rollout in July 2026. It is designed to download both a Windows image and device drivers from Windows Update, even when the installed operating system cannot boot. It is a separate recovery feature from the regular Cloud download option in Reset this PC, and you should not assume it is available on every Windows 11 computer.

The first task is to check that Windows has installed correctly and that your files are where you expect them to be.

Open Settings > Windows Update and check for available updates. Then open Device Manager and look for missing drivers or devices with warning icons. If something is missing, download the appropriate driver from your PC manufacturer’s support website.

Next, reinstall your applications and restore any files you backed up. Windows Backup may help restore supported settings and app information when you sign in with the same Microsoft account, though some applications will still need to be installed manually.

If an issue persists, the problem may be hardware-related. A failing SSD, faulty memory, overheating, or a damaged battery will not necessarily be fixed by reinstalling Windows. At that point, hardware diagnostics or professional support may be more useful than repeating the reset.

Does a factory reset remove Windows 11?

No. Reset this PC reinstalls Windows 11, so the operating system remains available after the process finishes. Depending on the options you choose, your personal files, applications, and settings may be removed.

A standard reset also does not necessarily restore the exact version of Windows or every factory application that originally shipped with the computer. Manufacturer recovery tools may offer a more specific factory-image restoration.

Will Keep my files save my installed programs?

No. Keep my files preserves personal files while removing applications and resetting settings. You should be prepared to reinstall programs such as Steam, Adobe applications, browsers, and other software afterwards. Some manufacturer-preinstalled applications may be restored depending on the reset settings.

Is Cloud download better than Local reinstall?

Cloud download is useful when local Windows files may be corrupted or missing, while Local reinstall is convenient when you have a slow or unreliable internet connection. Neither option is automatically the best choice in every situation. If you suspect the existing installation is damaged, Cloud download is usually the stronger starting point.

How long does a Windows 11 factory reset take?

A typical reset may take around 30 minutes to 2 hours, but the time varies with the computer’s storage, the amount of data being removed, the reinstall method, and whether drive cleaning is enabled. A full clean can take considerably longer. Keep a laptop connected to power and avoid interrupting the process.

Can I factory reset Windows 11 without a password?

You can access Reset this PC from the Windows Recovery Environment without signing into your normal Windows account. However, encrypted devices may require a BitLocker recovery key. If you cannot retrieve that key, you may be unable to recover existing files before resetting the computer.

Does a factory reset permanently erase all data?

Remove everything with Clean data makes deleted files harder to recover, but Microsoft does not describe it as a certified secure-erasure method. For ordinary resale, it is the recommended built-in option. For highly sensitive data or formal disposal requirements, use an appropriate sanitization process.