Table Of Contents
However, a factory reset can erase all of the personal data files, including apps, images, messages, and contacts. It can wipe away users’ customized settings and preferences. The device will be restored to its original state in the manufacturer’s original settings. The article is an informational guide that will help you factory reset your Windows 11 PC without losing any data. Before getting started with the factory reset option, let us look at how to back up the files before getting the software back to the manufacturer’s settings.
Every technological device will be outdated over time and can slow down in performance. However, these devices can be improved in many ways since they face certain issues with long-term usage with a factory reset. A factory reset can help with many performance and software problems issues, remove malware, and give the device a fresh start.
Backing Up On A Windows 11 System
A major concern while storing data and important documents in a digital format is losing them once something suddenly happens with the device. It is better to back up the devices regularly so as not to lose anything. Easier options are to back up files and images with cloud-based services like Google Drive or OneDrive that upload them automatically and improve the system function by creating enough storage. These options can be used before a factory reset to save some of the data. But to back up an entire drive on Windows 11 before factory reset, here are the steps to be followed:
- Launch the ‘Control Panel’. Control Panel can be opened by opening the Start Menu and then selecting the Settings App. The shortcut of Windows key + I can also open up the Settings app or open the Control Panel with various other options like searching on the Windows search bar, or from the Windows Run box.
- Click on ‘Back up and Restore (Windows 7). Windows 11 still has this feature even though the company planned to replace it with the File History system in Windows 10.
- In the left pane, there will be a ‘Create a system image’ option which is to be selected.
- Choose the kind of backup needed under the option ‘Where do you want to save the backup?’ The options provided are ‘On a hard disk’, ‘On one or more DVDs’, and ‘On a network location’.
- Then click on ‘Start Backup’.
Also Read: Ten Days To Update Microsoft Windows Or Give Up On Your Computer!
Different Reseting Options On PC And Their Purposes
- Keep My Files: This option is also known as ‘Refresh’ which reinstalls Windows without losing personal files. The refresh option will remove the users’ apps and customized settings but keep personal data like documents and photos.
- Remove Everything: This is called a ‘Reset’ option which removes all personal files, apps, and settings while it reinstalls Windows. The reset option is best suitable for selling or giving away the device, and if you wish to give the system a fresh start just like you bought a new one.
Under this reset option, there is a ‘Clean data’ option which cleans the drive and removes all the files. This option takes some time to reset but is the best while giving the system away as the files cannot be recovered by someone else.
- Cloud Download: A fresh copy of Windows will be downloaded from the cloud, having the latest version with all the newer updates. The option is the most suitable when the local files are missing or corrupted in some way.
- Local Reinstall: This option is the fastest among other resetting options and can be utilized for places with slow internet speeds. The files already in the PC are utilized for reinstalling Windows but would lack the latest updates.
Factory Resetting Windows 11
After backing up the needed data from the PC, Windows 11 factory reset can be done using the following steps.
- Open ‘Settings’ and then ‘System’ on the left. Find the ‘Recovery’ option while it is scrolled down and click on it.
- Then click on ‘Reset PC’.
- A popup box will appear asking you to Choose an Option. There are two options: ‘Keep my files’ and ‘Remove everything’. The ‘Keep my files’ option keeps the personal data like documents or images while removing personal apps and customized settings, whereas the ‘Remove everything’ option removes all personal files, apps, and settings and this option is suitable when the system is being sold, or given away.
- Another set of options will appear to reinstall Windows through a Cloud download or Windows can be reinstalled from the device. The first option will not have the same configuration as the manufacturer while the second option will restore drivers, settings, etc.
- Click ‘Next’.
- Some additional warning messages regarding the reset will appear on the screen based on choosing to keep the files or not. Choose according to the preferences and click ‘Reset’ to start the process.
Also Read: 10 Hidden Windows Features That Will Boost Your Productivity
Conclusion
Any devices can get slowed down in performance and start to show some kinds of troubles while working due to a lack of updation or reasons like lower storage. A factory reset can be done for reasons like performance issues, software-related problems, security concerns, and sometimes to give a fresh start to the computer.
Devices can be put back to their original state by removing the data and files, but it is sometimes seen as a concern as many files can be lost in the process. However, there are ways to preserve all the files before resetting the device with certain backup options.
Keep in mind that resetting a device fully is time-consuming and the device may turn black for an extended period, but would automatically restart once the process is done. During this time, avoid forcefully shutting the device down and keep the device plugged in to prevent a failed reset.
