When your PC crashes every day, stays slow after every fix, or is about to go to a new owner, it may be time to reset Windows 11. A reset reinstalls Windows and clears out the software problems that build up over the years. You can keep your personal files or wipe the drive completely. However, both options remove your apps, so a little preparation saves a lot of trouble. This guide explains what each choice does, what to back up first, and how to run the reset safely.
What Happens When You Reset Windows 11
A reset is not the same as a restart. Windows deletes its own system files and installs a clean copy. According to Microsoft’s reset documentation, you choose between two paths, and the difference between them is what happens to your personal data.
| Option | Personal files | Apps | Settings | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Kept | Removed | Reset to default | Fixing a slow or unstable PC |
| Remove everything | Removed | Removed | Removed | Selling, donating or a completely fresh start |
The detail people miss is the Apps column. Even with Keep my files, every program you installed yourself is removed. That includes Office, browsers, games and printer software. Your documents, photos and other files in your user folders stay where they are. After the reset, Windows leaves a file called Removed Apps on the desktop, so you have a list of what to reinstall.
Before You Reset Windows 11: A Short Checklist
Most reset problems come from skipping preparation, not from the reset itself. Therefore, go through this list first.
- Back up your files anyway. Keep my files is reliable, but a failing drive or a power cut during the reset can still cost you data. Copy important folders to an external drive or to cloud storage.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key. Microsoft warns that you may need it during a reset if the drive is encrypted. On most home PCs, the key is saved in your Microsoft account.
- List the apps and licenses you need. Note any product keys and make sure you know the passwords for the accounts those apps use.
- Know your sign-in details. You will need your Microsoft account password and your Wi-Fi password during setup.
- Plug in the charger. A laptop that runs out of battery in the middle of a reset can be left unable to start.
Lighter Fixes to Try First
A reset is the most disruptive recovery tool in Windows, so it should not be your first step. Microsoft’s list of recovery options puts several gentler choices ahead of it:
- Uninstall a recent update if the trouble started right after one. Your files and apps are not affected.
- Fix problems using Windows Update. In Settings > System > Recovery, this option reinstalls your current version of Windows while keeping files, apps and settings. It needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later.
- Targeted troubleshooting. For example, see our guides to speeding up a slow Windows 11 PC and fixing blue screen errors.
If none of these help, or you simply want a clean start, a reset is the right tool.
How to Reset Windows 11 and Keep Your Files
Use this method when the PC still starts and you want to keep your documents and photos.
- Open Settings and go to System > Recovery.
- Next to Reset this PC, select Reset PC.
- Choose Keep my files.
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall. The next section explains the difference.
- On the Additional settings screen, select Change settings if you want to decide whether the apps that came with the PC are restored.
- Select Next, review the list of apps that will be removed, and then select Reset.
The PC restarts several times. Microsoft notes that the screen may stay black for more than 15 minutes at some stages. Do not hold the power button during that time, because an interrupted reset can fail and leave Windows unable to start.
Cloud Download or Local Reinstall?
Both options give you a clean copy of Windows. They differ in where that copy comes from.
- Cloud download fetches a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft. It is the better choice when system files are damaged, because nothing is reused from the faulty installation. It needs a stable connection and can use more than 4 GB of data.
- Local reinstall rebuilds Windows from files already on the PC. It is faster on a slow connection. However, it may leave you with more updates to install afterwards.
As a rule, choose cloud download if you have reliable internet. Choose local reinstall if your connection is slow or metered.
How to Reset Windows 11 and Remove Everything
If you are selling or giving away the PC, keeping your files is the opposite of what you want. Follow the same steps, but choose Remove everything. Then, on the Additional settings screen, select Change settings and turn on Clean data.
Clean data wipes the drive instead of only deleting the files, which makes them much harder to recover. Microsoft recommends it when you donate or sell a PC. In addition, expect the reset to take considerably longer, especially on a large hard drive. For a PC you are keeping, you can leave this setting off.
How to Reset Windows 11 When It Won’t Start
You can still reset a PC that will not reach the desktop. The tool lives in the Windows Recovery Environment, which is separate from your normal installation.
- On the sign-in screen, hold Shift while you select Power > Restart. If Windows cannot get that far, it usually opens the recovery screen by itself after several failed starts.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Select Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything, and then follow the prompts.
If the PC is stuck on an update screen instead, read our guide to the Getting Windows Ready screen before you reset, because waiting is sometimes the correct fix.
What to Do After the Reset
Once setup finishes, a few steps bring the PC back to full working order.
- Run Windows Update until no more updates are offered. This also installs most hardware drivers. If a device still misbehaves, see how to update drivers safely.
- Reinstall your apps using the Removed Apps list on the desktop.
- Restore your backup if you chose to remove everything.
- Check activation in Settings > System > Activation. A PC that was activated before normally reactivates automatically once it is online.
Reset Windows 11: Common Questions
How long does it take to reset Windows 11?
It depends on the drive and the options you choose. On a PC with an SSD, a reset that keeps your files often finishes in under an hour. A hard drive takes longer, and the Clean data option can add several hours.
Does Keep my files keep my programs?
No. It keeps personal files only. Every app you installed is removed, although apps that came with the PC can be restored if you leave that setting on.
Do I need a product key after a reset?
Usually not. Most Windows 11 PCs use a digital license that is linked to the hardware, so Windows activates again without asking for a key.
Will a reset remove a virus?
In most cases, yes, because the reset removes installed software and replaces the system files. Remove everything with a cloud download is the most thorough choice. Afterwards, scan your backup before you copy files back.
Which Reset Option Should You Choose
For a PC that is slow or unstable, start with the lighter fixes. If they fail, reset Windows 11 with Keep my files and a cloud download. For a PC that is leaving your hands, choose Remove everything with Clean data turned on. In both cases, back up first and let the reset finish without interruption.
