How to Factory Reset Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Your Windows 11 PC is freezing, crashing, or running so slowly that you cannot get any work done. A factory reset is the final way to force your machine back into a clean, stable state when standard troubleshooting has failed.

Choose your path

Use 'Keep my files' if you are fixing performance issues but need to save your documents. Use 'Remove everything' if you are selling the device or need a completely blank slate.

Prerequisites

Back up any critical data to an external drive or cloud service before starting. A factory reset can result in permanent data loss if you select the wrong options.

Steps

1. 01
   Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
2. 02
   Navigate to the System menu on the left sidebar, click Recovery, and then click the Reset PC button.
3. 03
   If your PC will not boot, hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart on your power menu to enter the recovery environment, then select Troubleshoot and Reset this PC.
4. 04
   Select Keep my files to remove apps and settings while preserving your data, or Remove everything to wipe the drive clean for a fresh start.
5. 05
   Choose between Cloud download, which pulls a fresh Windows image from Microsoft, or Local reinstall, which uses existing files on your drive.
6. 06
   Review the list of apps that will be removed on the summary screen and click Reset to begin the process. Your computer will restart and start the automated installation.

Still not working?

If the reset fails or gets stuck at a specific percentage, your hardware might be failing, specifically the storage drive. Try running a check for bad sectors or perform a clean install using a bootable USB installer created from the official Microsoft Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose Cloud download or Local reinstall?

Cloud download is better if your current Windows installation is corrupted, as it fetches clean files from Microsoft. Use Local reinstall if you have a slow or metered internet connection.

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware?

Choosing the 'Remove everything' option will effectively wipe out most software-based infections by deleting the entire partition where Windows resides.

Can I cancel the reset once it has started?

Once the reset process begins and the PC restarts, you should not interrupt it. Powering off during this time can result in a corrupted OS that requires a full USB recovery.