Restoring Windows 11 PC to its original configuration
If you're experiencing issues such as slow performance, battery drain, system crashes, or stubborn malware on your Windows 11 device, a factory reset might be the solution. Here's a simple guide on how to factory reset Windows 11 and start fresh.
Steps to Factory Reset Windows 11
- Open the Settings by pressing .
- Navigate to System > Recovery.
- Click the Reset PC button under the "Reset this PC" section.
- Choose the option to Remove everything to erase all your personal files, apps, and settings.
- Select how to reinstall Windows:
- Cloud download to download a fresh copy from Microsoft servers.
- Local reinstall to use the existing Windows installation files on your system.
- (Optional) Click Change settings to enable options like:
- Data erasure toggle for secure wiping (recommended if you want a thorough erase).
- Data drives toggle to erase all drives connected to the PC besides the Windows installation drive.
- Confirm and proceed by clicking Confirm > Next > Reset.
This will erase the selected drives and reinstall a clean copy of Windows 11. After the reset, you will have to reinstall all your apps from scratch manually, as this option removes them during the reset.
Restoring Drivers After Reset
After completing the reset of Windows 11, if you find that one or more devices are missing, check the computer manufacturer's support website to download and install the latest drivers available.
For more information about Windows 11, visit our website's "Windows 11 - All you need to know" article.
- If you own a laptop or PC running Windows 11 and are facing performance issues, battery drain, system crashes, or persistent malware, (you might want to) consider performing a factory reset to resolve these problems.
- In case of a factory reset on your Windows 11 device, remember that you'll need to download and reinstall all your software, including gaming software and Microsoft Office, as they will be removed during the process.
- Xbox owners who decide to factory reset their Windows 11 home gaming PC can reap the benefits of a clean installation, potentially improving overall performance and gaming experience.
- Should you choose the local reinstall option during the factory reset process, remember to ensure that your existing Windows installation files are up to date, as outdated files may lead to issues after the reset.
- Users who opt for the cloud download method while factory resetting their Windows 11 device will receive the latest Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates, ensuring that they have the most recent software available.
- Upon completing a factory reset on your Windows 11 device, don't forget to visit the computer manufacturer's support website to download and install the latest drivers for your devices such as graphics cards, printers, and networking hardware.
