Regardless of the option you choose, it's always best to back up your data before starting a factory reset to avoid losing any important files.
Back up Windows before factory resetting(optional)
You can update and reinstall Windows on your computer cleanly by factory resetting it. You have the option to keep your private files and most of your Windows settings during the process. If you choose the "Keep my files" option when performing a factory reset on Windows, installed apps, system settings, user profiles, user accounts, and installed drivers will also be removed.
A clean installation can sometimes enhance your computer's battery life, browsing experience, security, and performance. It can also help you resolve certain system problems that other solutions are unable to resolve. If you need the files but want to perform a clean reinstallation of Windows, you should back up the data in advance.
Here, we recommend iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows to clone your Windows computer quickly. The Disk Clone feature creates an exact copy of the selected partition or drive, and you can directly access the cloned data so that you can recover the files you need after performing a factory reset.
Steps to clone Windows drive with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows:
- Free download, install, and open iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.
- Prepare an empty external drive with a capacity larger than the source drive/partition.
- Connect the destination drive to your Windows PC.
- Select Disk Clone on the main interface of iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.
- Then choose Clone disk.
- Click Source disk to select the Windows disk, it is usually the C drive.
- Tap on Target disk to choose the destination drive you connected.
- Click Start > Confirm.
- Wait patiently while the cloning is ongoing.
Recommend this tool to help others clone Windows drive easily!
How to factory reset Windows 10/11 step-by-step?
After understanding the meaning of a factory reset on a Windows computer and backing up important files, it's time to proceed to the detailed steps. In this part, we will provide 5 ways to help you factory reset Windows 10 or Windows 11 to suit different situations. Let's start.
Factory reset Windows using the Settings app
This is the easiest and most common way to reset your Windows device. It is applicable when the Windows PC is bootable and you can successfully log in.
- Click the Start menu and select Settings.
- On Windows 10, go to Update & Security, choose Recovery, and click on Get Started under Reset this PC.
On Windows 11, in the System window that appears, scroll down to Recovery and click on it, find Reset this PC in the Recovery options section and click on Reset PC. - Choose between two options:
Keep my files: This will remove apps and settings but keep personal files.
Remove everything: This will remove all personal files, apps, and settings (similar to a factory reset).
- Choose a way to reinstall Windows:
Cloud download: install the latest version of Windows from Microsoft's servers in the cloud.
Local reinstall: reinstall Windows from your current device. - Either click Change settings or proceed by clicking Next.
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Factory reset Windows via Advanced Startup options
If unluckily, you can't boot into Windows normally, you can use the Advanced Startup options, also called Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), Advanced Startup Options, Advanced boot options, or Windows Start settings.
It gives users access to a variety of Windows diagnostic and repair tools, including Startup Repair, Command Prompt, and System Restore. You can also access Startup Settings from here, which includes Safe Mode and other startup options that may help you get into Windows if it's having trouble starting up. Here's how:
- Restart your computer and press Shift + F8 (or F11 depending on the manufacturer) while booting to enter Advanced Startup.
- From the Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot.
- Then select Reset this PC.
- Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Follow the onscreen guide to complete the reset.
Factory reset Windows utilizing a recovery drive
Perhaps, your Windows PC can't start successfully, then you can factory reset it via a recovery drive, it requires a second healthy Windows PC to create the recovery drive and then you can start your problematic Windows from it.
- Insert a USB drive (at least 8 GB) into the working computer. Make sure the USB drive is empty because the process will erase all data on it.
- On the working PC, click on the Start menu, and search for Create a recovery drive. Select the Create a recovery drive option from the search results.
- When the tool opens, you will see a prompt asking if you want to Back up system files to the recovery drive. Make sure this box is checked so that the recovery drive contains all the necessary files to reset or troubleshoot Windows. Click Next.
- Select the USB drive you inserted earlier. Click Next.
- Click Create on the pop-up window, it will now begin to copy necessary system files onto the USB drive, which may take some time depending on your system and USB speed.
- Insert the recovery drive into the computer you need to fix.
- Boot the PC from the USB (you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS/UEFI).
- Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC and follow the prompts to reset your system.
Factory reset Windows with the installation media
The Windows installation media serves the same purpose as the recovery drive. You can alternatively choose to factory reset your Windows computer via the Windows installation media when your PC can't start normally. Besides, it performs a clean installation of Windows 10/11 on your device.
This post provides three ways to create Windows 10/11 installation media on a Windows PC, you can follow the detailed steps to create a Windows 10/11 bootable USB via the Windows media creation tool, Rufus, and the CMD.
Factory reset Windows from Command Prompt
You can use Command Prompt to factory reset Windows in certain situations when other methods are not accessible or when you're looking for a more direct approach.
Step 1. You should first access Advanced Startup Options.
If you can access Windows:
- Press Shift + Restart from the Start menu (by clicking on Power and holding the Shift key).
- After your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
If Windows won't boot:
- Turn on your PC and force it to shut down by holding the power button.
- Repeat this process 3 times to trigger the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- From the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Step 2. Once you're in the Command Prompt, type the following command to initiate the factory reset:
systemreset --factoryreset
Step 3. Choose your preferred option: Keep my files, or Remove everything, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
Share the method that helps you factory reset Windows!
