How to Reset Windows 11 (Factory Reset Guide)
Step-by-step guide to resetting Windows 11 from Settings, choosing Keep my files vs. Remove everything, and picking the right reinstall method.
To reset Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset PC. You then choose whether to keep your personal files or remove everything, and whether Windows reinstalls from Microsoft’s servers or from files already on your drive. Back up anything you can’t afford to lose first — even the file-preserving option strips out every installed app and setting. If you only want to repair a misbehaving install rather than wipe it, note that version 24H2 added a lighter choice on the same Recovery page — Fix problems using Windows Update — which reinstalls the current version in place and keeps your apps, files, and settings, unlike Reset this PC.
Before You Reset, Back Up
A reset is not a full backup. Even “Keep my files” only preserves files sitting in your user folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and similar); it does not save installed programs, browser extensions, or app-specific settings, and it can still go wrong. Copy anything important to an external drive or cloud storage first, and if your drive uses BitLocker, write down your recovery key before you start. Our guide on how to back up your files properly walks through a simple routine for this.
How to Open Reset This PC
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Select System in the left sidebar.
- Click Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, click Reset PC.
If Windows won’t boot normally, you can reach the same tool from the Windows Recovery Environment (hold Shift while clicking Restart, or boot from install media) and choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Keep My Files vs. Remove Everything
| Option | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Reinstalls Windows, removes apps and settings, keeps personal files in your user folders | A buggy or bloated PC you’re keeping |
| Remove everything | Reinstalls Windows and deletes all personal files, apps, and settings | Selling, donating, or fully starting over |
If you pick Remove everything, Windows also asks whether to just remove files (quick, but technically recoverable with the right tools) or fully clean the drive (slower, overwrites the data so it’s not easily recoverable). Choose the full clean any time the PC is leaving your hands.
Cloud Download vs. Local Reinstall
| Method | How it works | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud download | Downloads a fresh Windows 11 image from Microsoft | Needs a stable internet connection and several gigabytes of data, but fixes corrupted system files |
| Local reinstall | Rebuilds Windows from files already stored on your PC | Faster and works offline, but can reuse the same corrupted files causing your problem |
If Windows is behaving strangely or the reset itself keeps failing, Cloud download is the safer bet. If you’re on a slow or metered connection and the PC otherwise starts fine, Local reinstall gets you there quicker.
What Gets Removed (and What Doesn’t)
Both reset paths remove installed desktop apps, most settings customizations, and any local user accounts you created after setup, then reinstall a clean copy of Windows 11. Files stored on a second internal drive are untouched by either option, since the reset only reinstalls the Windows partition. During the process your screen may go black for up to 15 minutes — let it run and avoid restarting manually, since interrupting it can leave the installation broken.
Once the reset finishes, you’ll land back at the out-of-box setup screens, so keep your Microsoft account password handy. If performance was the original complaint, it’s worth reading why is my Windows PC so slow first, since a reset is a bigger step than clearing cache or trimming startup apps.
A factory reset fixes problems a reinstall can solve — corrupted system files, malware that won’t clear, or a PC you’re handing off — but it isn’t a substitute for backing up first or diagnosing what’s actually wrong. Confirm your files are saved somewhere else, pick Keep my files if you just want a clean slate on the same machine, and use Remove everything with a full drive clean only when the computer is leaving your possession.
Common questions
Does resetting Windows 11 remove viruses?
A “Remove everything” reset that fully cleans the drive wipes most malware by deleting apps and reinstalling Windows. Deeper infections such as UEFI or firmware rootkits, or malware on a separate recovery partition, can survive, so choose Cloud download when malware is the reason for the reset.
How much data does a cloud download reset use?
Cloud download pulls a fresh Windows 11 image from Microsoft, which runs to several gigabytes, so it needs a stable, unmetered connection and enough free disk space. Local reinstall skips the download but can reuse the corrupted files behind your problem.
Will resetting delete files on my other drives?
By default no — Reset this PC reinstalls only the Windows partition, leaving a second internal drive alone. If you pick Remove everything, Windows may ask whether to clean just the Windows drive or all drives, so choose “Only the drive where Windows is installed” to keep the others.
How long does a Windows 11 reset take?
Most resets finish in roughly 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on drive speed, the reinstall method, and whether you fully clean the drive. The screen can sit black for up to 15 minutes during the process, which is normal, so do not restart manually.