How to Factory Reset Windows 11 Desktop: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you planning to sell or hand off your Windows 11 PC? Or are you experiencing software glitches, performance issues, and other non-fixable errors with it? In both cases, a factory reset is the best way to restore the device to its default settings and give it a fresh start.

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to explain the process of how to Factory Reset Windows 11 by using the system’s settings and Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). 

How to Reset Windows 11 to Factory Settings Using System’s Settings?

This is the simplest way to factory reset a Windows 11 desktop. Here, you can directly visit the system’s settings and continue with the necessary steps. The process for the same is discussed below:

1. First, press Windows + I to open the system’s Settings and select Windows Update.

   

2. Now, head to Advanced options from the list. 

   

3. After that, scroll down and select Recovery.

   

4. Then, locate Reset this PC under the Recovery Options head and click on the Reset PC option.

   

5. Now, the screen will display two options: ‘Keep my files’ (suitable if resetting the system to solve a software glitch or something) and ‘Remove everything’ (suitable if resetting the system to resale or handoff). Choose the required option out of the two.

   

6. Next, you’ll again encounter two options:
   • Cloud download: This option will download the Windows files in the cloud. Cloud download is preferable, especially when your local installation is corrupt or damaged. 
   • Local reinstall: This is a faster way to download the Windows install file directly on your PC. 

   You can select either of the reinstallation options.

   

7. In the Additional Settings section, select Next page.  If you want to restore the PC’s original apps and settings, go to Change Settings > select ‘Yes’ under ‘Restore pre-installed apps?’ > Next. 

   

8. Finally, click on Reset to start the reinstalling process for Windows 11. On this page, you can select ‘View apps that will be removed’ to see which apps cannot be reinstalled after a factory reset.

   

After the reset is complete, the computer will restart, which may take a few minutes. The installer will then prompt you for information such as your country, language, keyboard layout, and privacy settings. Now, your Windows 11 is ready for a fresh start. 

How to Wipe a Computer with Windows 11 Using WinRE?

Another way to factory reset a Windows 11 laptop or computer is by launching the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This is a more time-consuming process than the previous method. The steps to reset Windows 11 with WinRE are given below: 

1. First, press Windows + I to open Settings and head to System from the left side panel.

   

2. Scroll down and click on Recovery.

   

3. Now, select ‘Restart now’ in the Advanced Startup section.

   

4. Next, hit the Restart Now button to enter WinRE. 

   

5. In the Windows Recovery Environment, click on the Troubleshoot option. 

   

6. Then, select Reset this PC.

   

7. After that, select any one of these two options:
   • Keep my files: To reinstall Windows 11 and remove apps and settings while keeping personal files. 
   • Remove everything: To wipe out the hard drive and reinstall a fresh copy of Windows 11.

   

8. On the next page, choose either ‘Just remove my files’ or ‘Fully clean the drive’.

   

9. Further, select either the Cloud download or Local reinstall, whichever is suitable. 

   

10. Finally, hit the Reset button to factory reset the Windows 11 of your system.

    

Remember that during the factory reset process, the display may go black for an extended period, and the system may restart itself several times. So, do not try to hard shut down the device, as this will result in a reset failure. 

Back up the Entire Drive Before Factory Resetting Windows 11

It is always suggested to back up your computer’s data regularly so that you can easily recover it after a factory reset or in case of any mishap. This will not only help you save your files but will also free up space on your device. 

We have provided the backup procedure for Windows 11 users below:

1. Search for the Control Panel in the search bar next to the Windows icon and open it.

   

2. Next, go to ‘Backup and Restore (Windows 7)’.

   

3. Select Create a System Image on the left side panel.

   

4. Then, select the location where you want to save the backup and hit Next.

   

5. Finally, click on the Start Backup button.

   

You can also use popular cloud-based services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Sync, and so on to back up your important documents, photos, videos, and other data. 

Final Words

We learned how to factory reset Windows 11 easily without having any hardcore technical knowledge. Now, you can complete the task using any of the methods listed above, but first, make sure to back up your important data. 

We hope the information in this article helps you clean up and reset your Windows 11 device for resale or to resolve a software issue.