How to Reset a Windows 11 PC — Straightforward Advice
Honestly, resetting Windows 11 used to sound pretty daunting, but after having a go, I can tell you it’s not as daunting as it seems. Essentially, it’s like hitting the factory reset button, but for your Windows. I did it mainly because my system had become sluggish and cluttered with all sorts of unnecessary apps — I needed a refresh more than anything. Whether your PC’s acting up, loaded with junk, or you just want a fresh start without reformatting the entire drive, a reset can do the job. Just a quick warning though: it’s not magic, and it *will* remove your apps and some customised settings, so make sure to back up your data first unless you’re comfortable with losing them.
What actually happens when you reset?
This is where I initially got confused — what exactly does “reset” mean? Think of it like restoring a phone to factory settings, but on Windows 11. When you choose “Keep my files,” Windows tries to preserve your personal stuff — documents, photos, and so on. But, all your installed apps and custom settings will be wiped. If you pick “Remove everything,” then it’s basically a complete wipe — all apps, settings, and files go. Some folks get a bit confused thinking it’s the same as doing a full drive wipe, but it’s more like a system refresh. It’s handy if your PC is beyond simple troubleshooting or if you’re planning to sell or give it away.
One thing to remember: if your Windows 11 is encrypted with BitLocker, resetting might prompt you for your recovery key before starting. Also, after the reset, some apps — especially those from the Microsoft Store — will ask you to sign in again, and some settings may need redoing.
Navigating to the reset menu
If your start menu is playing up or Windows keeps crashing, don’t worry — you can still access the reset options. The quickest way I found is pressing Windows + I to open Settings. From there, click on System — usually at the bottom of the sidebar. Then look for Recovery. Sometimes it’s tucked under “Recovery & Reset,” depending on your build. If Windows is really acting up, you might not see “Recovery” immediately, which is what tripped me up. In that case, try typing systemreset into the Run box (Win + R) — this often bypasses the UI and takes you straight to the reset options.
Selecting your reset type — what really happens
When you hit “Reset this PC,” you’ll see two main options: “Keep my files” or “Remove everything.” It’s important to understand what each does because it can be confusing:
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Keep my files — Useful if your PC is slow or glitchy. It keeps your personal files intact, but all apps and customised settings are removed. I tried this on an older ASUS laptop, and some residual app data remained, so it’s not perfect — always back up first. But it’s a lot quicker than a full wipe and can be a handy quick fix.
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Remove everything — This is a more thorough clean, wiping all apps, settings, and files. Perfect if you’re selling the machine or suspect malware. Keep in mind, this can take quite a while — anywhere from about 10 minutes to over half an hour if you’re downloading fresh files from the cloud. During mine, I disconnected from Wi-Fi to avoid Windows trying to download updates mid-process, which slowed things down. Be prepared for some screens flickering and multiple restarts — patience is key.
Reinstall options — Local vs Cloud
Once you choose to reset, you’ll be asked how you want Windows reinstalled: local reinstall (using files stored on your device) or cloud download (fetching fresh files from Microsoft’s servers). I’ve generally had better luck with local reinstall — it’s faster and less dependent on your internet connection. To select this, go to Settings > System > Recovery. When the reset prompt appears, look for “Additional settings” where you’ll find a toggle for “Download Windows from Cloud”. If your internet is solid, I recommend using the cloud option — it gives you a brand-new copy of Windows but can be slow and consumes quite a bit of data (several GBs). Avoid it if your bandwidth is limited or if you’re on a metered connection.
If things go sideways, you can also trigger a reset via the command line. Open Run (Win + R), type systemreset, and hit Enter. This can sometimes bypass UI glitches and give you more options, especially if your Settings app is behaving strangely. Just be aware you might need to enter your recovery key if your drive is encrypted with BitLocker.
Final tips — don’t forget these
Once you start the reset, be prepared — it’s not a quick process. Depending on your chosen options, especially if you opt for “Remove everything” and cloud download, it could take quite a while. Sit tight, don’t turn off your PC, and be patient. You might see black screens or flickering — that’s normal. Sometimes the process stalls for a bit; just wait it out. I’ve had resets take up to an hour just to get through the initial stages.
After the reset, you’ll need to go through the initial Windows setup — signing into your Microsoft account and redoing personal preferences. If your drive was encrypted, don’t forget you may need your recovery key or to decrypt it first. Also, on Windows 11 Home, some options are more limited — you might not have full control over local versus cloud reinstall choices.
The bottom line
This reset process can be a real lifesaver when Windows 11 starts acting up. But honestly, it can sometimes be a bit trial-and-error since some menus are tucked away or vary across builds. If you’re not feeling confident, it’s a good idea to back up everything first, and keep your recovery keys and important data handy. For me, experimenting with the reset options finally fixed my sluggish system without needing to reinstall from scratch.
I hope this helps — it took me longer than I’d like to admit to figure out all the ins and outs. If you’re troubleshooting your PC, remember to stay patient, double-check your backups, and take your time with the options. Good luck!