Before Windows 8, there was no way to factory reset Windows operating system. There is an option to keep the old files while formatting and installing a fresh copy of Windows. Meanwhile, Windows will move the old content into the Windows.old folder, which you can access in the C: drive.
But that is not an effective way to reset Windows operating system. With Windows 8, the option to factory reset your computer with many options. You can choose to keep all your personal files on the C: drive, or wipe the drive completely. However, there are ways to reset your Windows 11 system. Here’s how to do it:
1. Reset Windows 11 using the Settings app
The easiest way to initiate a Windows 11 reset is through the Settings app. Microsoft is constantly moving Control Panel preferences to the Settings app, but the Reset option is always in the Settings app. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click the Start button to launch the Power User menu. Click the Settings option in the menu.
Step 2: The Settings app will launch. Select System from the left sidebar and click the Restore option in the right pane.
Step 3: Navigate to the Recovery Options section and find the option to Reset this PC in the Recovery Options section. Click the Reset PC button located next to it.
Step 4: Reset This PC window will launch. If you want to keep your personal files, select the Keep my files option. If not, click the Delete everything option.
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to Reset your PC. It will take a while to do a full reset, even if you use an SSD on your system. Your system will reboot several times during the reset.
Step 6: Once the Reset is complete, log into your PC and reinstall any programs and configure settings in Windows 11.
3. Reset Windows 11 using the Advanced Settings Page
Microsoft embeds a dedicated Windows Recovery Environment, which contains a variety of tools for fixing Windows installation errors. It includes the option to remove updates, perform a system restore, and reset the system.
You can even perform boot repair if your computer won’t boot to the desktop. This option is extremely useful because you can try many methods to fix the system before making the harsh decision of doing a system reset. Repeat these steps: Step 1: Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu. Click the Source option.
Step 2: Press and hold the Shift key and click the Restart option. Your system will automatically Reboot and boot into the Windows Recovery Environment page.
Step 3: On the Choose an option page, click the Troubleshoot option.
Step 4: Click on Reset this PC option.
Step 5: Choose any one option from Keep My Files or Delete Everything. Follow the onscreen instructions to reset your Windows 11 PC.
Step 6: Also, if you want to try our other methods before resetting your system, click on Advanced options. You can try boot repair and other options from this window.
4. Reset Windows 11 with installation media
Installation media is handy when you can’t boot to the lock screen. It’s an absolute dismay, which is why you should always keep a bootable Windows 11 USB drive with you. Or, you will have to use another computer to create a bootable USB drive first.
You can then boot with a Windows 11 USB drive and try to set up Windows 11 again. The option to repair the computer with installation media has been present in Windows for quite some time. But resetting the PC is only possible on the operating system Windows 8 and above. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Plug the bootable USB drive into your system. Press the power button and repeatedly press the designated F key to access the boot device options. The F key may vary by different manufacturers, so look for the specified key to access the boot option on your system.
Step 2: Once the boot device menu page (Boot Manager) launches, use the arrow keys to select the bootable USB drive. Press Enter to start Windows 11 setup.
Step 3: It will take a while to get to the Windows 11 setup window. Keep the language and region options intact and click the Next button.
Step 4: Click Repair your computer option.
Step 5: The Windows Recovery Environment page will launch. Click on the Troubleshoot option and follow the steps mentioned in the second method.
Step 6: Alternatively, if you want to completely erase the C drive, you can do a fresh install of Windows 11 using a bootable USB drive. During this process, you will need to format the C drive.
Reset Windows PC Demystified
The common concept is to reset a Windows 11 PC using the Settings app. But that option only works if the Settings app works fine. If the Settings app fails to launch, you’ll have to use the Power menu or Windows installation media to access the Windows Recovery Environment page, and then access the troubleshooting options or the reset window.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
