How to Reset Windows 11: Keep Files, Remove Everything, From Boot Menu

Sometimes Windows 11 develops strange problems that won’t go away, even after you try different fixes. As a last resort, a factory reset (using the Reset this PC feature) can often resolve issues, remove stubborn malware, and improve overall performance. If your Windows 11 PC is slow, unstable, or behaving strangely, you can reset it to its default settings to resolve common issues. It’s a built-in recovery feature that reinstalls the operating system while letting you either keep your personal files or remove everything.

In this article, we explain how to use Reset this PC to:

• Reset Windows 11 without losing your personal files
• Reset Windows 11 from scratch by removing everything
• Factory reset from the boot menu when Windows won’t start

Reset this PC Feature on Windows 11

The Reset this PC feature in Windows 11 (and Windows 10) lets you reinstall the operating system with flexible options:

• You can keep your personal files (documents, pictures, desktop, etc.) or remove everything.

• You can use Cloud download (fresh files from Microsoft) or Local reinstall (files already stored on your device).

This is useful when you want to:

• Restore your system to a clean, stable state
• Fix problems like startup/shutdown issues, excessive memory usage, crashes, or poor performance
• Remove difficult malware or unwanted software

Important points to remember:

• Keep my files:

  • Tries to keep your personal files in user folders.
  • Removes installed desktop apps and many custom settings.

• Remove everything:

  • Deletes your personal files, apps and most settings.
  • Gives you a result similar to a factory reset or a clean install.

In the sections below, we’ll show you step by step how to reset Windows 11 in three different ways.

How to Factory Reset Windows 11

If you’re facing strange problems on your Windows 11 PC, Windows has accumulated a lot of junk, or you’ve changed settings or the registry and can’t undo it, you can use Reset this PC to refresh or reinstall Windows 11.

Before you continue, we strongly recommend you:

• Back up your important data (documents, pictures, project files) to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Note down installed apps and license keys you might need later.

⚠️ Even when you choose Keep my files, Windows 11 will remove installed desktop apps and reset many system settings. Your personal files are usually kept, but it’s still wise to have a backup.

Reset Windows 11 Without Losing Data (Keep My Files)

Use this method when you want to reinstall Windows 11 but keep your personal files (documents, pictures, desktop items, etc.). Your apps and many settings will be removed, but your data in user folders should remain.

Step 1: Open Windows 11 Settings

1. Click the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings directly.

Step 2: Go to System > Recovery

1. In the left sidebar, click System.
2. On the right, scroll down and click Recovery.

You’ll now see several recovery options.

Step 3: Click Reset this PC

In the Recovery options section, select Reset this PC, then click the Reset PC button.

A window will appear with two choices:

• Keep my files
• Remove everything

Step 4: Select “Keep my files”

To reset Windows 11 without losing your personal data, click Keep my files.

• Keep my files:

  • Keeps your personal files in user folders (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.).
  • Removes installed apps and most custom system settings.

• Remove everything (we’ll cover this later), wipe personal files as well.

Step 5: Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall

Next, Windows will ask how you want to reinstall the operating system:

• Cloud download
• Local reinstall

Cloud download

• Downloads a fresh copy of Windows 11 from Microsoft’s servers (usually 4 GB+).
• Good when your current Windows files may be corrupted or infected.
• Requires a stable, reasonably fast internet connection.

Local reinstall

• Uses files that are already stored on your PC.
• No internet required, and it can be faster on SSDs.
• Best if your connection is slow or limited and you don’t suspect deep corruption.

Select Cloud download if you want the cleanest reinstall and have a good internet connection. Otherwise, choose Local reinstall.

Step 6: Review settings and apps to be removed

Depending on your build, you may see a Change settings option to:

• Decide whether to restore preinstalled apps from your device manufacturer (if available).
• Confirm drive and data options.

Click Next. Windows may show:

• A summary of what will happen.
• A list or note about apps that will be removed.

Review this information carefully and note any important software you’ll need to reinstall later.

Step 7: Start the reset

When you’re ready, click Reset.

Your PC will restart and begin the reset process. During this time:

• The system may reboot several times.
• The process can take from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on your hardware and the options you choose.

🔌 Keep your laptop plugged into power during the reset and avoid turning your PC off.

Step 8: Complete setup and reinstall apps

After the reset completes:

1. You may see the Windows out‑of‑box setup (OOBE). Follow the prompts and sign in with your Microsoft or local account.
2. Once you’re at the desktop, go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates.
3. Reinstall any important apps and programs you noted earlier.
4. Verify that your personal files (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.) are present.

Your Windows 11 installation should now be fresh and stable, while keeping your personal data.

Reset Windows 11 from Scratch (Remove Everything)

If you want to completely wipe your PC and start over—removing your personal files, apps, and settings—use the Remove everything option.

This is ideal when:

• You’re preparing the PC for sale or transfer to someone else.
• Your system is severely corrupted or infected, and you want a totally fresh start.
• You don’t need any files from the device (because you’ve already backed them up elsewhere).

⚠️ Warning: This option deletes your personal files on the selected drives. Be sure you have a full backup of anything important.

Step 1: Open Settings and Recovery

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Click System in the left sidebar.
3. Click Recovery on the right.

Step 2: Click Reset this PC

Under Recovery options, click the Reset PC button.

When asked, choose:

• Remove everything

Step 3: Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall

Just like before, you’ll see:

• Cloud download – downloads a fresh Windows 11 image from Microsoft.
• Local reinstall – uses recovery files already on your PC.

Pick the option that makes sense for you:

• Use Cloud download if you want the cleanest reinstall and have a fast, stable internet connection.
• Use Local reinstall if your connection is slow or you don’t want to use extra data.

Step 4: Adjust advanced settings (optional but important)

You may see a Change settings link. Click this to fine‑tune what the reset will do.

Typical options include:

• Clean data:

  • Writes over data to make file recovery more difficult.
  • Recommended when selling or giving away the PC.

• Delete files from all drives:

  • Wipes not only the Windows system drive (usually C:) but also other internal drives/partitions.
  • Use this only if you want to wipe every internal drive.

💡 Note: For most users who just want to refresh their own PC, it’s safer to leave the defaults and not clean all drives. Use full clean/wipe only if you’re preparing the computer for sale or want to ensure data cannot be easily recovered.

Click Confirm after choosing your settings, then click Next.

Step 5: Confirm and reset

Windows will show a summary of what will happen, for example:

• Remove all personal files and user accounts
• Remove all apps and programs
• Reset all settings

When you are sure you’ve backed up everything important, click Reset.

Windows will restart and begin the reset process. This may take quite some time, especially if you enabled data cleaning or are wiping multiple drives.

When it’s finished, you’ll go through the normal Windows 11 setup and land on a fresh desktop, just like a brand new installation.

Windows 11 Factory Reset from the Boot Menu (Advanced Startup)

If your Windows 11 PC won’t boot properly or crashes before you can open Settings, you can still factory reset it from the boot options menu (Windows Recovery Environment).

The reset engine is the same, Reset this PC feature, only the way you access it is different.

How to open the Advanced Startup / Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

There are several ways to get to the Advanced Startup screen:

Method 1: From Windows Settings (if it still boots sometimes)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery.
3. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.

The system will restart and show the Choose an option screen.

Method 2: Shift + Restart from the power menu

1. On the Start menu or sign‑in screen, click the power icon.
2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
3. While holding Shift, click Restart.
4. Release Shift when you see “Please wait” or the “Choose an option” screen.

Method 3: Automatic repair after repeated boot failures

If Windows 11 encounters errors on startup several times in a row, it may automatically:

• Show Preparing Automatic Repair
• Then offer Advanced options

From there, you can continue into the Choose an option screen.

Once you reach the Choose an option screen in the Windows Recovery Environment:

1. Click Troubleshoot.
2. Click Reset this PC.

You’ll then see the same two main options:

• Keep my files
• Remove everything

Choose the one you need:

• Keep my files: removes apps and settings, tries to keep your personal files.
• Remove everything: wipes everything and reinstalls Windows 11.

Next, choose Cloud download or Local reinstall, just like when resetting from Settings.

• Finally, confirm your choices and click Reset.

Windows will perform the reset and restart several times. When done, you’ll complete the setup process and sign in as usual.

Install Windows Updates After Reset

Once the reset process is complete, we recommend you check for and install the latest Windows updates.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Click Windows Update in the left pane.
3. Click Check for updates.

If new updates are available:

• Allow Windows to download and install them.
• Restart your computer if prompted.

This ensures your system has the latest security patches, bug fixes, and feature updates.

Check for missing drivers

After resetting Windows 11, also check your device drivers:

• Open Device Manager and look for any devices with a yellow warning icon.
• Visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website (for example, Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS) and download the latest drivers for:
  • Chipset
  • Graphics
  • Audio
  • Wi‑Fi / LAN

Keeping drivers up to date helps avoid performance issues and hardware errors.

Final Notes

The Reset this PC feature in Windows 11 is one of the easiest ways to resolve serious software issues without manually reinstalling from a USB drive.

• Use Keep my files when you want to keep personal data, but remove apps and reset settings.
• Use Remove everything when you need a completely clean start or are preparing the PC for someone else.
• Always back up important files before starting, and install all Windows updates and drivers after the reset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I perform a factory reset on Windows 11 without losing my data?

Yes. If you choose Reset this PC > Keep my files, Windows 11 will reinstall the OS while keeping your personal files in your user folders (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, etc.). However, most apps and some settings will be removed, so you’ll need to reinstall your programs.

What does a factory reset without losing data mean?

It means Windows 11 is restored to a fresh system state while trying to preserve your personal files. Your documents, pictures, music, and other user data are kept, but apps and many settings are reset.

How do I initiate a factory reset on Windows 11?

Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Then:

• Click Reset PC.
• Choose Keep my files if you want to keep personal data, or Remove everything to wipe it.
• Select Cloud download or Local reinstall and follow the prompts.

Do I need a backup before performing a factory reset without losing data?

Yes. Even when you use Keep My Files, it’s always best to make a backup of important data to an external drive or cloud. Unexpected issues (power loss, disk errors, existing corruption) could still cause data loss.

What happens to system settings and configurations?

Most system settings and configurations are reset to their default values after a factory reset. This includes many personalization, power, privacy, and advanced settings.

Can I undo a factory reset without losing data?

No. There is no built‑in “undo” for a factory reset. Once the reset is done, you cannot automatically restore the previous state. This is why backing up important files before resetting is critical.

Can I perform a factory reset if my PC is not functioning properly?

Yes. If Windows 11 is unstable or won’t boot:

• Use Advanced Startup (boot menu) and go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
• From there, you can choose Keep my files or Remove everything and reset the system.

Also read:

• 5 Best Data Recovery Software Tools for Windows 11
• 8 Tips to safe and Secure Your Windows 11 PC or Laptop for Free
• Windows 11 Update Failed or stuck? Here’s How to Fix That
• Laptop freezes randomly after Windows 10 update? Try these solutions
• How to Cancel or Delete a Stuck Print Job in Windows 10