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tips
How to factory reset Windows 11 from boot if PC won’t boot
If your Windows 11 PC can’t boot, you use these steps to reset to the factory default settings.
- To reset a Windows 11 device when it doesn’t boot, start the computer in WinRE, open Advanced options > Troubleshoot, click “Reset this PC,” choose “Keep my files,” click “Just remove my files,” choose “Cloud download,” and click “Reset.”
The “Reset this PC” feature, accessible through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), allows you to reinstall Windows 11 without requiring additional tools. This is the same tool you’d find within the Settings app from the Recovery page, but WinRE lets you use it even when the operating system isn’t starting correctly.
Whether you have a laptop or desktop, the process is similar. You can choose to reset your computer to its factory default settings using the local image or download a fresh copy of Windows 11 from the Microsoft servers. Downloading a fresh copy can be particularly useful for resolving issues caused by corrupted system files.
“Reset this PC” also offers flexibility in how you manage your data. You can choose to keep your files, settings, and apps, which is helpful if you want to avoid a complete setup from scratch. Alternatively, you can opt for a clean slate by removing everything. Keep in mind that this option makes data recovery extremely difficult, so ensure you have backups of any important files before proceeding.
Windows 11 factory reset PC from boot (BIOS)
To perform a factory reset on Windows 11 from boot, use these steps:
- Power on the computer.
- Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), press the Power button again to shut down.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice, and in the third restart, Windows 11 should enter WinRE.
Quick note: Windows 11 includes multiple ways to open the Advanced startup settings. If you cannot access the recovery environment, try these other options.
- Click the Advanced options button.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Click the “Reset this PC” option.
- Select the option to reset Windows 11:
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“Remove everything” – Wipes out the hard drive and reinstalls a fresh copy of the operating system.
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“Keep my files” – This option reinstalls Windows 11, remove apps and settings, and preserve your files.
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- Choose the option to delete your data during the reset process:
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“Just remove my files” – Use this option if you plan to keep the device.
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“Fully clean the drive” – Use this option if you plan to get rid of the device (it takes a long time).
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- Select the option to reinstall Windows 11:
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“Cloud download” – Re-downloads Windows 11 instead of using the available image.
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“Local reinstall” – Reinstalls the operating system using the local image (quicker).
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- Click the Reset button.
Once you complete the steps, the feature will reset the computer to default settings, fixing any problems that may have been preventing a successful startup.
Pureinfotech.