✔️ Windows 11 - FULL Reset/Recover/Restore of Windows 11 Operating System & Computer - Step by Step, by Your Windows Guru - Windows 10 & 11 on YouTube. 13 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 13 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Copy your documents, photos and other important files to an external drive or OneDrive. The reset can remove everything, so check the backup opens before you go on.
Write down the programs you use and your logins for websites and email. You will need to reinstall those apps and sign in again afterwards.
Plug the laptop into the charger and leave it connected for the whole process. A reset that loses power can leave Windows unusable.
Open Settings from the Start menu, then choose System in the left column and click Recovery on the right.
Click Reset this PC and then Get started. Windows will list what the reset will do to your files and apps.
Pick Keep my files to remove apps and settings but keep personal files, or Remove everything for a clean factory state. Choose Remove everything if you are selling the laptop.
Select Cloud download to pull fresh Windows files from Microsoft over the internet, or Local reinstall to rebuild from files already on the laptop.
Open Change settings to decide whether to clean the drive and how to handle downloads. Turn on Clean data if the machine is leaving your hands.
Click Reset and wait while Windows reinstalls. The laptop will restart several times, which can take 20 to 40 minutes.
Set up Windows again with your region, Wi-Fi and Microsoft account, then reinstall your apps and copy your files back.
Tips and common mistakes
Save your BitLocker recovery key from your Microsoft account before resetting, or an encrypted drive may lock you out.
Keep my files still deletes installed programs, so plan to reinstall anything you rely on.
Use Cloud download when Windows itself is acting up, since it replaces damaged system files.
Stay plugged in and avoid closing the lid until the setup screen appears.
Questions
Will a reset delete all my files?
Only if you choose Remove everything. The Keep my files option keeps documents and photos but removes apps and settings. Back up anyway, since things can still go wrong.
Do I need internet to reset Windows 11?
Not if you pick Local reinstall, which rebuilds Windows from files on the laptop. A Cloud download needs a working connection, so plug in an Ethernet cable if Wi-Fi is broken.
Will I have to pay for Windows again?
No. The licence is tied to the laptop's hardware and reactivates automatically after the reset. You may still need to buy or sign in to any extra apps you reinstall.
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.
