2 Ways to Restore Your PC to Factory Settings in Windows 11

Download Article

Restore your computer to its factory settings

Author Info

Last Updated: March 9, 2026

Download Article

• Using the Settings Menu
|
• Using Windows Recovery
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

If you are experiencing significant problems with your computer, or you are planning on selling it, you may want to factory reset your computer. Factory resetting your computer restores it to the state it was in when it was brand new. If you are experiencing problems with your computer and nothing you’ve tried is able to fix it, factory resetting may be the last resort needed to resolve the issue. This wikiHow article teaches you how to factory reset a computer running Windows 11.

Reset a Windows 11 PC

1. Back up any data on your computer you want to keep.
2. Press Win + i to open the Settings menu.
3. Click System > Recovery > Reset PC.
4. Select Keep my files or Remove everything.
5. Select Cloud Reinstall or Local Reinstall.
6. Click Next > Reset.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Settings Menu

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Back up any files you want to keep. While there are options to keep your files when you factory reset your computer, the process of factory resetting your hard drive generally involves completely wiping all the data from your hard drive. Be sure to back up any files and data from your hard drive that you want to keep. Even if you plan on keeping your files.
2. 2
   Open the Settings menu on your computer

   

   . You can open the Settings menu on Windows by pressing Win + i. Alternatively, you can click the Windows Start menu and then click the Gear/Settings icon.
   Advertisement
3. 3
   Click System. It’s the first option in the menu bar to the left.
4. 4
   Click Recovery. You may need to scroll a little way down the menu panel in the middle. It’s next to an icon that resembles a disk drive with a circular arrow over it.
5. 5
   Click Reset PC. It’s the first option below “Recovery Options” on the left.
6. 6
   Click Keep my files or Remove everything. If you are troubleshooting an issue with your computer, it is best to select Keep my files first. This will reinstall Windows, but keep all your files on your computer. If this doesn’t fix the problem, or you are planning on selling or recycling your computer, select Remove everything. This will completely wipe all the data on your computer’s hard drive and reinstall Windows.

   • Even if you choose to keep your files, this process will still uninstall all apps on your computer and reset your settings and preferences.
7. 7
   Select Cloud Reinstall or Local Reinstall. If you have an internet connection, you should select Cloud Reinstall. This will download the latest version of Windows from the internet and install it on your computer. If you don’t have an internet connection, you can select Local Reinstall. This will install the version of Windows that came pre-installed on your computer.
8. 8
   Review the information and click Next. Next, you’ll see a screen explaining what will be removed on your computer. Review the information and make sure you have a backup of everything you want to keep. Click Next to continue.
9. 9
   Click Reset. This will begin the process of resetting your computer to it’s factory settings. This may take a while.

   • If you are using a laptop, make sure it is plugged in so that it has enough battery power to complete the process.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Windows Recovery

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Force restart your computer three times. If you are unable to boot into Windows, you can factory reset your computer using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). To boot into WinRE, make sure your computer is powered off. Press the Power button to power it back on. As soon as you see the manufacturer’s logo appear on screen, immediately press and hold the Power button to force your computer to shut down. Repeat three times.
2. 2
   Power on your computer. Press the Power button and allow your computer to boot up as normal. After interrupting the boot process three times, your computer should boot into WinRE.

   • Alternatively, you can create a Windows Recovery disk using a USB drive. Boot from the Recovery disk to boot into WinRE.
3. 3
   Click Troubleshoot. It’s the third option in the Recovery menu. It’s next to an icon that resembles a screwdriver and a wrench.
4. 4
   Click Reset this PC. It’s next to an icon that resembles a disk drive with a circular arrow over it.
5. 5
   Click Keep my files or Remove everything. If you are troubleshooting an issue with your computer, it is best to select Keep my files first. Especially if you didn’t get a chance to backup your data. This will reinstall Windows, but keep all your files on your computer. If this doesn’t fix the problem, or you are planning on selling your computer, select Remove everything. This will completely wipe all the data on your computer’s hard drive and reinstall Windows.

   • Even if you choose to keep your files, this process will still uninstall all apps on your computer and reset your settings and preferences.
6. 6
   Select Cloud Reinstall or Local Reinstall. If you have an internet connection, you should select Cloud Reinstall. This will download the latest version of Windows from the internet and install it on your computer. If you don’t have an internet connection, you can select Local Reinstall. This will install the version of Windows that came pre-installed on your computer.
7. 7
   Select if this is a workplace computer. If this is a workplace computer, click Yes to save provisions on the computer that allow it to use workplace resources. If it is not a work computer, click No.
8. 8
   Select if you want to fully clean the drive. Select Just remove my files to quickly wipe your hard drive and reinstall Windows. You can select this option if you are planning on keeping your computer. Select Fully clean the drive to sanitize the hard drive by overwriting the data on it several times. This process may take several hours, but it is recommended if you are recycling or selling your computer.
9. 
   9
   Click Reset. You will see a screen explaining everything that will be removed from your computer and what will happen. Review the information and click Reset. This will begin the process of factory resetting your computer. This may take a while.

   • If you are using a laptop, make sure it is plugged in so that it has enough battery power to complete the process.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!