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Factory reset is one of the most effective methods to fix Windows 11 software and hardware issues. If some of the problem could not be solved on your Windows 11 PC, then you can consider taking a factory reset to fix the problem. However, factory reset is a very dangerous activity, which might potentially delete personal files, settings and apps from Windows 11. Hence, you need to be very careful about this.
It is very important to backup your data and apps before factory reset. Even bad thing happened, you are able to restore lost data from previous backup.
If you made up your mind to factory reset Windows 11, continue reading the methods introduced in this tutorial.
What Does Factory Reset Do on Windows 11?
A factory reset is a process of reverting a device back to its original state. This can be useful if you are experiencing problems with your device or if you simply want to start from scratch. A factory reset will erase all of your data, including your personal settings, apps, and files.
Factory resetting Windows 11 is a drastic measure, so be sure you really want to do it before you proceed. If you have any questions, be sure to consult your device’s manual or the manufacturer for more information.
Why You Need to Factory Reset Windows 11?
A factory reset can be a helpful tool if you’re experiencing technical difficulties with your Windows 11 computer. By resetting the computer to its factory settings, you’ll delete all of your personal files, applications, and settings. This can be a useful troubleshooting step if you’re experiencing problems with your computer that you can’t seem to fix.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you reset your computer, though.
First, you’ll want to back up any important files or data that you don’t want to lose. Resetting your computer will delete everything on your hard drive, so you’ll want to make sure you have a backup of your important files before you begin.
You should also be aware that a factory reset will remove any updates that you’ve installed on your computer. If you’re having problems with a particular update, you may want to try uninstalling it before you reset your computer.
Finally, keep in mind that a factory reset will take your computer back to its default settings. This means that any customizations or changes you’ve made to your settings will be lost. If you have any programs that you’ve installed, you’ll need to reinstall them after you reset your computer.
Backup Windows 11 PC Before Factory Reset
When you factory reset a Windows 11 PC, all of your files, settings, and applications will be erased. For this reason, it’s important to create a backup of your data before you reset your PC. There are a few different ways to create a backup, but we recommend using the Windows 11 Backup and Restore tool. This tool allows you to create a full backup of your PC, which you can then restore if needed.
To use the Windows 11 Backup and Restore tool, follow these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel and select "Backup and Restore."
2. Click "Create a system image" in the left-hand pane.
3. Choose where you want to save your backup. We recommend saving it to an external hard drive.
4. Select the drives you want to include in the backup. For most people, this will just be the drive that Windows is installed on.
5. Click "Start backup" to begin the backup process.
You can also choose backup Windows 11 files to use an external hard drive. Simply connect a drive to your PC and copy over all of your important files. Once you’ve done this, you can safely reset Windows 11 PC without worrying about losing your data.
In addition, another popular backup option is using a cloud-based service. You can find a few different options available. We recommend using either OneDrive or Google Drive, as both offer free storage plans that should be more than enough for backing up your personal files.
Once you’ve backed up the data, you can proceed to factory reset Windows 11.
Method 1: Factory Reset Windows 11 from Settings Menu
The "Reset this PC" feature in Windows 11 Settings app is a handy tool when you want to reset Windows 11 back to its original settings. This can be useful if your computer is running slow or if you want to get rid of any unwanted virus or malware.
There are two ways to reset your PC: you can either do it from Settings menu or you can use the "Reset this PC" feature from the Recovery Options menu.
To reset a Windows 11 computer from the Settings menu, follow these steps:
1. Click the Start button, then click the Settings icon.
2. In the Settings window, click Update & Security.
3. On the Update & Security page, click Recovery in the left sidebar.
4. In the Recovery window, click the Get started button under Reset this PC.
5. You will be presented with two options: "Keep my files" and "Remove everything".
Note: If you want to keep your personal files and data, select the "Keep my files" option. If you want to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 11, select the "Remove everything" option.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the reset process.
Resetting Windows 11 can be a good way to speed up the computer or get rid of any unwanted files or programs. However, it is important to note that this will also delete any personal files and data that you have on your computer, so be sure to back up anything that you want to keep before you reset your PC.
Method 2: Factory Reset Windows 11 from Boot (Recovery Mode)
Windows 11 Recovery Mode is a special boot menu that allows you to troubleshoot and fix issues with Windows 11 installation. When Windows 11 PC boots into recovery mode, you have the option to factory reset this PC, reinstall Windows 11, or go to the Advanced startup menu.
To factory reset Windows 11 from Recovery mode, you should complete the steps listed in below:
1. Restart Windows 11 computer and press the "F8" key on your keyboard before the Windows logo appears.
2. In the Advanced Boot Options menu, select the "Repair your computer" option.
3. In the next window, select the "Troubleshoot" option.
4. In the Troubleshoot menu, select the "Reset this PC" option.
5. In the next window, you will be given two options: "Keep my files" and "Remove everything". Choose the option that you want and click on the "Next" button.
6. Wait about half an hour and the device will be fully factory reset.
Method 3: Factory Reset Windows 11 with a Clean Reinstall
A clean reinstall is another popular but tough way to factory reset Windows 11. It will remove the current installation, format the drive and install a new version on the drive. By doing this, all you files and apps will be removed in system drive (C:). This is a complete factory reset. And this is an ideal way to install an earlier version of Windows 11 on this PC.
There are a few things you should do before you start, though, such as backing up your data and making sure you have a valid product key. You’ll also need to choose the right version of Windows 10 to install. Once you’ve got everything ready, the process is actually pretty simple.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to factory reset Windows 11 with a clean reinstall:
1. Back up your data. This is the most important step! Make sure you have a backup of all your important files before you start.
2. Get a valid product key. You’ll need a valid product key to install Windows 10. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft.
3. Choose the right version of Windows 10. There are different versions of Windows 10 available, so make sure you choose the one that’s right for you.
4. Download the Windows 10 installation files. Once you have your product key, you can download the Windows 10 installation files from Microsoft.
5. Create a bootable USB drive. This will be used to install Windows 10 on your computer.
6. Install Windows 10. Once you have everything ready, you can begin the installation process. Just follow the prompts and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Why Can’t I Factory Reset My PC?
There are a few reasons why you might not be able to factory reset your PC. One reason could be that you don’t have the correct permissions. Another reason could be that your PC is locked by a virus or malware. And finally, another reason could be that your PC’s hardware is damaged. Let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons.
1. You don’t have the correct permissions
If you’re trying to factory reset your PC without having the correct permissions, then you’ll likely run into problems. In order to factory reset your PC, you need to have administrative privileges. This means that you either need to be the administrator of your PC, or you need to have someone with administrative privileges give you the permission to do so.
2. Your PC is locked by a virus or malware
If your PC is locked by a virus or malware, then you won’t be able to factory reset it. This is because viruses and malware can prevent you from accessing the necessary files and settings. In order to factory reset your PC, you’ll need to remove the virus or malware first.
3. Your PC’s hardware is damaged
If your PC’s hardware is damaged, then you won’t be able to factory reset it. This is because factory resetting requires that all of your PC’s hardware is working properly. If your PC’s hardware is damaged, then it’s likely that some of the necessary files and settings are also damaged. As a result, you won’t be able to factory reset the PC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Factory Reset
Will factory resetting Windows 11 delete everything?
A factory reset will delete everything on your Windows 11 device and return it to its default settings.
How long does it takes to factory reset windows 11?
A factory reset of Windows 11 should take around an hour to complete. It depends on the speed of your computer and internet connection.
Can I factory reset windows 11 without login
Yes, you can factory reset Windows 11 without logging in. However, you will need to have access to the Recovery Console in order to do so.
Should I factory reset my PC?
In general, you should only factory reset your PC if you are experiencing serious problems that cannot be resolved in any other way.
Video Guide: How to Factory Reset a Windows 11 PC
The Bottom Line
Before you begin, it’s important to note that a factory reset will erase all of the data on your computer. This includes your personal files, applications, settings, and anything else you’ve added to the computer. Be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
Which method I should choose to factory reset Windows 11? It depends on what you need to do. If you’re simply looking to start fresh with a clean install, you can use the Reset This PC feature built into Windows. This will erase all personal files, settings, and apps, and reinstall Windows from scratch
If you’re having problems to get into Windows 11 desktop, then you can boot into Recovery mode and use the Advanced Startup options to reset Windows 11.
Once the reset is complete, your computer will be wiped clean and you’ll need to set it up from scratch. Keep in mind that you’ll need to reinstall any applications and programs that you want to use.