How to Factory Reset Windows 11

In this blog, we will learn how to factory reset Windows 11. Is Windows 11 not running correctly on your computer? Here are the steps on how to factory reset Windows 11 and bring the operating system back to a brand new state.

In the Windows operating system, there are two ways to factory reset your system. The first is via the Windows Settings app and the 2nd one is using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Factory Reset Windows 11 using Settings

To factory reset Windows 11 PC, select the Windows start button and select settings. Or hold the Windows + I key on your keyboard to launch the Settings app.

Select the System tab

Watch Video: How to Factory Reset Windows 11

Scroll down and then select the Recovery option.

Under Recovery Setting, click on the Reset PC button.

After selecting the Reset PC, a window will pop up.

Two options would be available:

Keep my files: if you need to keep your personal files intact while all the system apps get uninstalled and system settings are rolled back to a fresh state.
Remove everything: This option will remove (photos, programs, and apps) will roll back the OS to a completely fresh state as brand new.

For example, I am going with the Remove everything option.

Cloud download will require a fast internet connection which will need at least 4GB of data.
Local reinstall these options will require you to plug in any external installation media (CD/DVD or USB Drive).

Resetting the PC, if you want to change any setting then select the change settings option.

Selects the additional settings as per your preference and then select the Confirm button. Here we have enabled the ‘Clean data?’ option.

Click on the Next button.

It will take a while for Windows to load the next screen.

Next, Windows will list down all the impacts of resetting to your PC, read them and click on the ‘Reset’ button to start the resetting process on your machine.

After selecting the Reset your computer it might reboot several times which is completely normal behavior while resetting.

Windows resetting is in progress.

Select country or region and then select next.

Click accept.

Please follow the steps to complete the Windows 11 settings.

Factory Reset Windows 11 via Recovery Mode

There might be issues so much critical that you are unable to open the Windows Settings app as well. If that is the case with your OS then there is a fail-safe to reset Windows 11 using the Windows Recovery Environment.

To boot the System into recovery mode in Windows 11

First, select the Start menu and then select the Power button on the bottom-right corner.
Then, hold the Shift key on the keyboard and select the Restart option in the Power menu.

Your Windows 11 computer will restart and then it will boot into the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).
From the Choose an option window in recovery mode, select the Troubleshoot option.

Select the Reset this PC.

Here you have to choose to keep your files as-is and refresh the system apps and settings.
Or choose to remove everything option your apps, personal files, and roll back the system settings to default.
Select your preferred method from the Reset this PC window. For example, I am selecting the Remove everything option here.

I am selecting the Local reinstall option here.

Here, you need to choose if you would like to remove just your files only from the Windows installer drive or you need to fully clean the drive.
Select just remove my files.

It will take a few moments to get everything ready, wait till the next screen appears.

In this reset these PC settings, Windows will list the impacts of resetting PC according to your preferred settings, read carefully and then select the Reset button to start the process.

That’s all, friends, this is how we can reset our Windows 11 computer.