To reset Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset PC next to Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows but keep your documents and photos, or Remove everything for a completely clean PC. Then pick Cloud download or Local reinstall and follow the prompts.
Either way, your installed apps and settings are removed. Back up anything important first.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 24, 2026.
Before you reset
- Back up your files, even if you plan to keep them. Copy them to OneDrive or an external drive. If you choose OneDrive, sign in to OneDrive on Windows 11 and let the files finish syncing before you reset.
- Write down the apps you use. You’ll need to reinstall them afterward. Our guide to setting up a new Windows 11 laptop walks through the same first-run steps you will see after a reset.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key if your PC is encrypted. Windows may ask for it, especially if you reset from the sign-in screen. If a forgotten password is the only reason for the reset, first try the options in our guide on how to reset a Windows 11 password.
- Plug in your laptop. A reset can take an hour or more.
- Try a smaller fix first. If a recent change caused the problem, restoring Windows 11 to a previous date is quicker and keeps your apps.
Try a lighter fix first
A reset removes your apps even when you keep your files, so it’s worth trying these first if Windows is just misbehaving:
- Fix problems using Windows Update: open Settings > System > Recovery and select Reinstall now. It reinstalls Windows but keeps your apps, files, and most settings.
- System Restore: roll Windows back to a restore point from before the problem started.
- Startup Repair: if Windows won’t start, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair on the recovery screen.
Reset Windows 11 from Settings
- Press Windows + I and select System > Recovery.
- Next to Reset this PC, select Reset PC.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- Review Additional settings, select Next, and then select Reset.
Your PC restarts several times. The screen may stay black for up to 15 minutes. Don’t turn it off, or the reset may fail.
Keep my files or Remove everything?
- Keep my files reinstalls Windows and removes apps and settings. Your personal files stay. Use it when Windows is slow or acting up.
- Remove everything removes your files, apps, and settings. Use it before you sell or give away the PC. Under Additional settings, turn on Clean data so removed files are harder to recover. This takes longer.
- Restore preinstalled apps appears with Keep my files on some PCs. It puts back the apps your PC maker installed.
Cloud download or Local reinstall?
- Cloud download downloads a fresh copy of Windows. It’s the better choice if Windows files are damaged, but it needs a good internet connection and several gigabytes of data.
- Local reinstall uses the files already on your PC. It’s faster on a slow connection but may not include the latest updates.
Reset from the sign-in screen
Use this if Windows won’t start normally or you can’t open Settings.
- On the sign-in screen, hold Shift and select Power > Restart.
- On the blue Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Follow the same choices as above. Enter your BitLocker recovery key if asked.
If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it usually opens this screen by itself.
After the reset
- Run Windows Update in Settings > Windows Update to get the latest fixes.
- Reinstall your apps from the Microsoft Store or the app makers’ websites.
- Restore your files from your backup if you chose Remove everything.
If the reset fails
- Try the other reinstall option. If Local reinstall fails, try Cloud download, and the other way around.
- Free up space on your C: drive and try again.
- Start in Safe Mode to rule out a program that’s getting in the way. See how to boot in Safe Mode in Windows 11.
- Use installation media. As a last resort, create a Windows 11 USB drive on another PC with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool and do a clean install.
Reset from a USB drive if nothing else works
If the recovery options themselves are damaged, you can reinstall from a USB drive. On another PC, use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool to make a Windows 11 installation drive of at least 8 GB. Plug it into your PC, start from the USB drive (usually with F12, F11, or Esc at startup), and follow the setup steps. Choosing Custom installation erases the drive and installs a fresh copy of Windows, so back up first if you can.
Before you sell or give away the PC
- Choose Remove everything and turn on Clean data so files can’t easily be recovered.
- Before resetting, sign out of apps that limit how many PCs you can use, such as iTunes or Microsoft 365, so the new owner doesn’t use up your slots.
- Afterward, remove the PC from your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/devices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to reset Windows 11?
Usually between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Remove everything with Clean data turned on can take several hours.
Will I need a product key?
No. Windows 11 activates again on its own if it was activated before the reset.
Does resetting remove viruses?
Remove everything removes almost all malware because it wipes the drive and reinstalls Windows. Keep my files keeps your files, so an infected file could survive. Scan your files with Windows Security afterward.
Can I undo a reset?
No. Once the reset starts, your apps and settings are gone. That’s why backing up first matters.
If you’re selling the PC, also see how to remove an account from Windows 11. To back up to the cloud first, see how to back up to OneDrive in Windows 11. Microsoft’s guide is Reset your PC. More help is on our Windows 11 Help & Guides page.
If your PC won’t start at all, you can reinstall from a USB drive. See how to make a bootable USB for Windows 11.
Back up your files first so you can copy them back after the reset. See how to back up Windows 11 to an external hard drive.
After a reset, you can reinstall the apps you need. See how to recover uninstalled programs on Windows 11.
Related: How to do a Fresh Start in Windows 11.
Related: How to factory reset Windows 11 from Command Prompt.
Related: how to wipe an SSD in Windows 11.
Related: fix corrupted files in Windows 11.
Related: format Windows 11.
Related: reinstall Windows 10 from Windows 11.
Related: How to Reinstall Windows 11.
Related: how to create a restore point in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.