How to Reset Windows 11 While Keeping Your Personal Files

Step by step

1. 30 sec

   Open the Recovery settings menu

   Press the Windows key and select the Settings gear icon. Navigate to System > Recovery in the sidebar. Locate the Recovery options section to access the reset interface.

   Note: Win + I
2. 1 min

   Initiate the Reset this PC process

   Under Recovery options, click the Reset PC button. A blue dialog box will appear. Select Keep my files to proceed with the restoration while maintaining your user profile data.

   Note: Selecting Remove everything will wipe your drive, so ensure you choose Keep my files.
3. 1 min

   Select your reinstallation source

   Choose between Cloud download or Local reinstall. Cloud download fetches fresh system files from Microsoft servers, while Local reinstall uses existing files on your drive to build the new image.

   Note: Cloud download is recommended if your current system files are corrupted.
4. 1 min

   Confirm your current settings

   Review the summary of your choices. Click Change settings if you need to modify options regarding pre-installed applications or data retention before finalizing.

5. 5 min

   Start the reset procedure

   Click the Reset button to begin. Your computer will restart automatically and begin the restoration process. Do not power off your machine during this period.

   Note: Ensure your laptop is plugged into a power source to prevent an unexpected shutdown.
6. 2 min

   Complete the initial system setup

   Once the process completes, follow the Windows Out-of-Box Experience prompts to log back into your user account. Your files will be available in their original locations.

   Note: You may need to reinstall third-party applications that were removed during the reset.