Resetting your Windows PC to start fresh is an excellent option to eliminate old junk files and resolve technical issues on your computer. In the past, users required physical data drives or ISO files to reinstall Windows. However, Microsoft now simplifies this process by allowing you to directly reset your PC through the operating system, without needing to fully reinstall Windows. In this guide, we'll discuss how to reset a Windows 11 PC and Windows 10 PC.
Resetting Windows 11 PC
To reset your Windows 11 PC, follow these straightforward steps. Microsoft provides two options for resetting your PC: retaining your files or deleting everything. Ensure you secure essential files on an external drive or cloud service before you begin, especially if you're planning to delete everything and start from scratch.
To proceed, click on "Start" > "Settings" > "System" > "Recovery." At this point, you'll see the two options mentioned earlier. If you'd like to keep your files and only perform a clean installation of Windows, select "Keep My Files." Choose your preferred storage option (cloud or local), change other settings to your preference (if needed), and set "Install Apps" to "No." Unless there's a specific setting you're unsure about, stick with the default values. If there's no "Install Apps" setting available, it means no preinstalled apps are present for configuration.
For a fresh start, select "Remove Everything" and back up your vital data in advance. Once you've done that, confirm that you're willing to delete everything and proceed with resetting your PC.
Resetting Windows 10 PC
The procedure for resetting your Windows 10 PC varies depending on the version you're using.
For Windows 10 versions prior to 2004, follow the "Neustart" method. Click on "Start" > "Settings" > "Update and Security" > "Windows Defender" > "System performance and health" > "Additional info" > "Fresh start" > "Get started."
For newer versions of Windows 10, click on "Start" > "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery" > "Reset this PC" > "Get started." Choose between retaining your files or deleting everything, set up how to reinstall Windows, and confirm the settings to complete the process.
Enrichment Insights
To reset your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, you can follow these steps:
- Windows 10:
- Method 1: Using Settings
- Method 2: Utilizing the Fresh Start Option
- Method 3: From Boot Using Advanced Methods
- Windows 11:
- Method 1: Using Recovery Settings
- Method 2: From the Sign-in Screen
Before performing a factory reset, make sure to back up all important data and disable FRP (Factory Reset Protection, if applicable).
By implementing these steps, you can effectively reset your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC to its factory settings.
