How to reset a Windows 11 PC to factory settings

On Windows 11, if you accept been using the same setup for a long time or are experiencing issues with the figurer, yous can utilise the "Reset this PC" characteristic to revert the arrangement to manufacturing plant default settings to resolve most common issues and better performance.

The "Reset this PC" feature has been bachelor since Windows 10, and on Windows 11, it too allows you to reinstall Windows with multiple options. For example, you lot accept an option to restore the factory settings keeping your settings and files, and in that location is another option to remove everything to assist resolve problems starting up or shutting downwards, excessive memory usage, performance running apps, battery draining quickly, or getting rid off a tough malware.

The feature even offers an pick to use the original image instead of a custom manufacturer recovery epitome that may contain unwanted bloatware and configurations.

In this Windows xi guide, we'll walk y'all through three different methods to reset your figurer to its mill settings without your files or erasing everything.

How to manufactory reset Windows xi preserving files
How to factory reset Windows 11 ereasing everything

How to factory reset Windows xi preserving files

To reset a Windows 11 laptop or desktop to its factory default settings without losing the files, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click the Recovery page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Recovery options" section, click the Reset PC push for the "Reset this PC" characteristic.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Proceed my files selection.

Source: Windows Central
Select the option to reset Windows 11:

Source: Windows Central
- Deject download: Download a fresh copy of the installation from the cloud and reinstall Windows 11. Still, this pick will non restore the tools, apps, and configuration that came with the original paradigm provided past the manufacturer.
- Local reinstall: Uses the files already available to reset the calculator. If this is a branded device (such as Dell, Asus, Lenovo, etc.), this procedure will restore the manufactory drivers, settings, and tools.
Review the apps to reinstall after the reset to factory settings.
Click the Side by side buttion.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Reset button.

Source: Windows Central

One time you consummate the steps, the figurer will reset to the factory settings preserving your files.

Afterward factory reset

After the reset is complete, cheque for updates to ensure that Windows 11 is non missing whatever security, patches, or drivers. Also, you may need to reinstall any of your previous applications as necessary.

Check for updates

To install updates for Windows 11, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Check for updates button.

Source: Windows Primal

Once yous complete the steps, Windows Update will download the latest patches and drivers updates (if available).

Check for missing drivers

To bank check for missing drivers after the "Reset this PC," use these steps:

Open up Showtime.
Search for Device Managing director and click the acme result to open the app.
Confirm that at that place'southward no branch called "Other devices," which ordinarily lists devices without drivers.

Source: Windows Central

If you have one or more devices with missing drivers, bank check the computer manufacturer support website to download and install the latest drivers available.

The last matter left to practise is to reinstall any app previously installed on your computer (if applicative).

How to factory reset Windows 11 using remove everything option

To use the reset feature removing everything on a computer that y'all use for working at home or gaming, utilize these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click the Recovery page on the right side.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Under the "Recovery options" section, click the Reset PC button for the "Reset this PC" feature.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Remove everything option.

Source: Windows Central
Select the Cloud download or Local reinstall, depending on how you want to reset the arrangement.

Source: Windows Cardinal
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Turn on the Information erasure toggle switch.

Quick notation: Use this pick if you are preparing the computer for sale. Otherwise, if you are trying to refresh the installation, the default reset settings are recommended.
(Optional) Turn on the Data drives toggle switch to erase the Windows 11 installation bulldoze and whatever other storage drive connected to your computer.
Click the Confirm button.

Source: Windows Central
Review the apps to reinstall subsequently the reset to manufacturing plant settings.
Click the Side by side push button.
Click the Reset button.

Source: Windows Primal

After you complete the steps, the process will erase the drives depending on your configuration and install a clean copy of Windows 11.

Subsequently factory reset steps

If you lot are selling the device, yous don't need to practise anything else. Even so, in the instance that you are starting over with the device, there are some actress steps, including checking for updates and missing drivers, and you want to reinstall your applications and restore your files from backup.

Checking for updates

To install updates for Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Cheque for updates button.

Source: Windows Central

One time you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install any missing updates and drivers (if available).

Check for missing drivers

To cheque for missing drivers after the "Reset this PC," use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Manager and click the top issue to open the app.
Confirm that in that location's no co-operative chosen "Other devices," which usually lists devices without drivers.

Source: Windows Central

If you have components without drivers, check the reckoner manufacturer support website to download and install the latest drivers available.

Restore files from fill-in

If you accept a fill-in of your files, now is time to restore them. The recovery process will be dissimilar depending on the file backup method.

For example, if you lot use OneDrive, the files may already exist syncing on the estimator; nevertheless, if they are not, you may need to reconfigure the app once again.

If yous backed up your files manually to an external drive, connect the portable drive, and use these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Click on This PC from the left pane.
Under the "Devices and drives" section, double-click the storage with the file backup.

Source: Windows Primal
Select the files and folders.
Click the Re-create button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Open up the destination folder.
Click the Paste button.

Source: Windows Cardinal

Once you complete the steps, you may demand to repeat the steps to restore boosted files. If you are missing any application, now is the time to install them.

More than Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions nigh Windows xi and Windows 11, visit the following resource:

Windows xi on Windows Central — All you need to know
Windows eleven help, tips, and tricks
Windows xi on Windows Key — All you need to know

Cross the streams

The commands you need to know for using WSL in PowerShell

WSL is an incredible tool congenital into Windows 10, and while you're probably using it to run some hefty Linux loads, in that location are some incredibly useful commands you should know about to collaborate with it from PowerShell.