Windows 11 · Windows
Reset a Windows 11 PC
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Back up and save the BitLocker recovery key, then open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC and choose whether to keep personal files. Apps and settings are removed either way.
Back up files and recovery access
Copy important files to verified external or cloud storage, record app licenses and sign-ins, save the BitLocker recovery key, and connect the PC to reliable power. Reset reinstalls Windows and always removes installed apps and settings.
Open Reset this PC
Open Settings > System > Recovery. Under Recovery options, select Reset PC.
Choose what happens to personal files
Choose Keep my files to preserve personal files while removing apps and settings. Choose Remove everything only when you intend to erase personal files as well as apps and settings. A backup is still required for either option.
Choose the Windows source
Choose Cloud download for a fresh Windows copy or Local reinstall to use files already on the PC. Review metered-network and storage requirements before continuing.
Review before starting
Read the final summary, especially the list of items that will be removed. Start the reset only when it matches your intent, and do not interrupt power even if the screen stays black or Windows restarts several times.
Restore only verified data
Complete Windows setup, install updates, confirm security protection, and restore files from the verified backup. Reinstall apps from their official publishers rather than restoring an unknown system problem wholesale.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If Reset this PC fails, preserve the exact stage and error, verify power, storage and recovery-key access, and use Microsoft's recovery options. Do not choose Remove everything, clean the drive or delete partitions unless irreversible erasure is the intended, backed-up outcome.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.