Windows 11 is pretty fresh, and while it’s kinda exciting to try out the new features, sometimes it just doesn’t behave the way you want. Bugs, sluggish performance, or weird glitches—these are pretty common early on, especially given how many updates come through. So, one of the easiest ways to troubleshoot those nagging issues? Reset your PC. But here’s the thing—there are actually a couple of ways to do this, and each has its nuances. Basically, you can reset and keep your files, or wipe everything and start from scratch. Not sure which one suits your needs? Let’s walk through both, with some practical tips based on real-world experience. Hopefully, this makes Windows 11 a bit more forgiving when things go sideways.
How to Reset Windows 11 to Default Factory Settings?
Steps To Reset Your Windows 11 PC Without Losing Files
Good for when Windows is acting sluggish or buggy, but you want to keep your documents and personal stuff intact. This method just resets the system files and apps, not your files—restoring performance without the hassle of data loss.
- Open Settings via the Start menu or Win + I.
- Navigate to System, then click on Recovery from the sidebar (or find it under Settings > System > Recovery).
- Click on Reset PC under the “Recovery options” section. This opens the Reset This PC menu.
- Select Keep My Files. This helps Windows focus on cleaning up system issues, rather than wiping out everything.(On some setups, this might be a bit glitchy, but usually works.)
- Choose how to reinstall Windows:
- Cloud download: Downloads the latest version from Microsoft servers. Good if your system files are corrupted or outdated.
- Local reinstall: Uses files already on your PC; faster and you don’t need an internet connection.
- Hit Next, then click Reset. The process will start, and your PC might reboot a few times. Make sure you save everything beforehand because it’s still technically resetting system files.
How to Factory Reset Windows 11 Using the Remove Everything Option
If the system’s really messed up or you want a fresh start, removing all data can be a good move. This wipes your files, apps, settings—everything—returning Windows to a clean state. It’s kind of drastic, but sometimes that’s the only fix.
- Open Settings again (Win + I) and go to System, then Recovery.
- Click the Reset PC button to open the options.
- Choose Remove Everything. This signals Windows to wipe all your personal data, apps, and settings.
- Select how you want to reinstall:
- Cloud download: Gets the latest version from the internet (good if your files or system are severely broken).
- Local reinstall: Uses local files—faster, no internet needed, but if those files are corrupted, it might fail or reinstall a buggy version.
- Click Change Settings to toggle cleaning options or just keep defaults if you want a quick wipe.
- Confirm your choices, then hit Next, and finally Reset. Be prepared for the PC to restart, and this might take a while depending on your hardware and what you’re wiping.
What To Do After Resetting Your Windows 11 PC?
Post-reset, Windows will be basically blank, so you’ll need to do some cleanup. Usually that means checking for updates and making sure all your drivers are in place, especially if you did a full wipe. Also, it helps to run through Windows Update and Device Manager to catch anything missing. Sometimes, drivers don’t install automatically and you’ll need to get them from manufacturer websites or run Windows Update repeatedly.
- Check for Windows updates: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Sometimes, just hitting that refresh fetches a bunch of essential updates that Windows forgot to install initially.
- Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and pick it from the menu or search in the taskbar).Look out for any devices flagged with a yellow triangle—those are missing drivers or have issues. Usually, updating or reinstalling drivers from the manufacturer’s site is the fix.
That’s pretty much it. Resetting might feel kind of intimidating, but in a lot of cases, it’s the fastest way to fix stubborn Windows bugs, especially after updates or system corruption.