How to Reset Windows 11 and Wipe Your PC (Factory Reset & Clean Install), by Quick Tutorials on YouTube. 3 min 5 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 5 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Back up anything you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage. A full reset with Remove Everything erases all personal files.
Plug the laptop into the power adapter and leave it connected. A reset can take a long time and a dead battery can corrupt the install.
Open Settings, then go to System and click Recovery. Under Recovery options find Reset this PC and click Reset PC.
Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows but keep your documents, or Remove everything to wipe the drive completely.
Pick Cloud download to fetch a fresh Windows image from Microsoft, or Local reinstall to rebuild from files already on the PC.
If you chose Remove everything, open Change settings and turn on Clean data. This overwrites the drive so old files are harder to recover.
Review the summary of your choices, then click Reset. The laptop will restart and the reinstall begins.
Wait while Windows reinstalls. Do not close the lid or unplug the charger until the setup screen appears.
Follow the out-of-box setup: pick your region, keyboard, network and Microsoft account, then let Windows finish configuring.
Tips and common mistakes
Use Remove everything with Clean data when selling or donating the laptop, since Keep my files leaves your data on the drive.
Cloud download needs a working internet connection but gives the cleanest install, while Local reinstall works offline.
If the reset fails, use the Windows 11 installation media tool on a USB stick to do a clean install instead.
Sign out of accounts and deauthorise apps like iTunes or Adobe before wiping if you plan to sell the machine.
Questions
Will a factory reset delete my files?
Only if you choose Remove everything. Keep my files reinstalls Windows and keeps your documents, but apps and settings are removed.
How long does a Windows 11 reset take?
Usually 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on drive speed and whether you use cloud download. Keep the charger plugged in the whole time.
Can I reset a laptop without the password?
No, Windows asks for your account password to confirm the reset. If you are locked out, use the installation media method with a USB stick.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
