How to Reset Windows 11 Laptop Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Has your laptop started running slow, freezing, or behaving oddly? Sometimes, the easiest way to fix these issues is to reset Windows 11. Resetting your laptop can help you start fresh, fix software problems, and even improve performance — just like getting a brand-new machine!

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to reset Windows 11 laptop step by step — from choosing the right reset option to safely backing up your data. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to double-check the process, this guide has you covered.

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🧭 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

✅ Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
✅ Time Required: 30–90 minutes
✅ Best For: Fixing system issues, removing malware, or preparing laptop for resale

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What Does “Reset This PC” Mean in Windows 11?

When you reset your Windows 11 laptop, it reinstalls Windows — returning your system to its factory-fresh state. Think of it as wiping the slate clean.

There Are Two Main Reset Options:

1. Keep my files – Reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files like documents, photos, and videos.

2. Remove everything – Reinstalls Windows and deletes all personal files, apps, and settings (perfect when selling or giving away your laptop).

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When Should You Reset Your Windows 11 Laptop?

Resetting isn’t something you do every day, but it’s extremely useful in certain situations. You should consider a reset if:

• Your laptop is slow, laggy, or crashing frequently

• You have persistent malware or viruses

• System files are corrupted or missing

• You’re selling or gifting your laptop

• You’ve tried other fixes and nothing worked

💡 Tip: Always try less drastic fixes first — like running Windows Update, uninstalling unused apps, or performing a disk cleanup — before doing a full reset.

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What Happens When You Reset Your Laptop?

Here’s what Windows does during a reset:

• Reinstalls a fresh copy of Windows 11

• Removes or keeps your personal files (based on your choice)

• Deletes all installed apps and drivers

• Resets system settings to default

• Removes any malware or corrupted data

After the reset, you’ll need to reinstall your apps (like Chrome, MS Office, etc.) and sign back into your Microsoft account.

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Step 1: Backup Your Data Before Resetting

Resetting your laptop may delete files, so the first step is to create a backup.

🔹 Option 1: Backup to an External Drive

1. Connect an external hard drive or USB.

2. Copy your important folders (Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures).

3. Paste them to the external drive.

🔹 Option 2: Backup to OneDrive or Google Drive

1. Sign in to OneDrive via your Microsoft account.

2. Upload your important files to the cloud.

3. Confirm uploads before starting reset.

🔹 Option 3: Use Windows File History

• Go to Settings → System → Storage → Advanced Storage Settings → Backup Options.

• Turn on File History and select a drive to back up files automatically.

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Step 2: Open the Reset Settings in Windows 11

Here’s how to access the reset feature:

1. Click the Start menu → select Settings (or press Windows + I).

2. In the left sidebar, click System.

3. Scroll down and select Recovery.

4. Under Recovery options, click Reset PC next to “Reset this PC.”

A new window will pop up with two main options.

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Step 3: Choose Between “Keep My Files” or “Remove Everything”

Windows will ask how you want to reset your computer:

1. Keep My Files

• Removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files.

• Ideal if your laptop is slow but your files are important.

2. Remove Everything

• Deletes all files, apps, and settings.

• Best for a clean start or when selling the laptop.

💡 Pro Tip: If your laptop has been hit by malware or you plan to give it away, always choose Remove Everything.

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Step 4: Choose Cloud Download or Local Reinstall

Next, Windows asks how you want to reinstall Windows 11:

🔸 Cloud Download

• Downloads a fresh copy of Windows 11 from Microsoft servers.

• Recommended if you have a fast and stable internet connection.

• Ensures the latest version of Windows is installed.

🔸 Local Reinstall

• Reinstalls Windows using files already on your device.

• Faster and doesn’t require internet.

• May not include latest updates.

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Step 5: Review Settings Before Resetting

Windows will now show a summary screen before beginning the reset. You’ll see:

• Whether your files will be kept or removed

• Which drive(s) will be affected

• Whether the reinstall is local or cloud-based

You can also click Change settings to:

• Clean data for security (for resale)

• Delete files from all drives (not just system drive)

Once everything looks right, click Next.

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Step 6: Start the Reset Process

Click Reset to begin.
Your laptop will restart automatically, and Windows will start reinstalling.

⏱ Time Estimate:

• Local reinstall: 25–45 minutes

• Cloud download: 45–90 minutes (depending on internet speed)

During this process, your screen might go black or display “Installing Windows” — don’t turn off your device!

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Step 7: Set Up Windows 11 After Reset

Once the reset is complete, your laptop will reboot into the Windows 11 setup screen (similar to when you first bought it).

Follow the on-screen prompts:

1. Choose your region and keyboard layout.

2. Connect to Wi-Fi.

3. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

4. Customize privacy settings.

5. Wait while Windows prepares your desktop.

Congratulations — your laptop is now freshly reset and ready to use!

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Step 8: Reinstall Your Apps and Restore Files

After the reset, you’ll need to bring your system back to your preferred setup.

🔹 Reinstall Apps

• Download your apps again from trusted sources (e.g., Chrome, Microsoft Store).

• For Microsoft Office, sign in with your Office or Microsoft 365 account.

🔹 Restore Files

If you backed up your files:

• Copy them back from your external drive or OneDrive to your PC.

🔹 Run Windows Update

Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates to get the latest drivers and patches.

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Step 9: Optional – Factory Reset from Boot (If Windows Won’t Start)

If your laptop won’t boot normally, you can reset Windows from the Advanced Startup Menu.

Here’s how:

1. Turn off your laptop.

2. Press the power button to turn it on and immediately press F11 (or Shift + F8) repeatedly.

3. When you see Choose an option, select:
   → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC

4. Follow the same steps as before (choose Keep my files or Remove everything).

This method works even when your system can’t load Windows properly.

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Step 10: Perform a Secure Wipe (When Selling Your Laptop)

If you’re selling or donating your laptop, it’s smart to securely erase your data.

During the reset process:

• Select Remove everything

• Click Change settings

• Enable Clean data and Delete files from all drives

This makes it extremely difficult for anyone to recover your old files.

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Common Problems During Reset and How to Fix Them

💻 Commands to Repair System Before Reset

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

Then retry the reset process.

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Step-by-Step Visual Summary

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Safety Tips Before and After Resetting

• 🔒 Backup important files first.

• ⚡ Plug in your laptop — don’t reset on low battery.

• 🌐 If using Cloud Download, ensure stable Wi-Fi.

• 🧩 Reinstall drivers after reset for full hardware support.

• 🔁 Perform Windows Update immediately after setup.

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Why Resetting Windows 11 Improves Performance

Resetting can breathe new life into your old or sluggish laptop because it:

• Removes unnecessary programs (bloatware)

• Cleans out malware and corrupted files

• Resets registry settings

• Frees up disk space

• Reinstalls essential system files

It’s like giving your computer a fresh brain while keeping your important memories (if you choose to keep your files).

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Alternative Ways to Refresh Windows 11 (Without Full Reset)

If you don’t want to perform a full reset, try these lighter options first:

1. Use System Restore

• Go to Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore.

• Choose a restore point to roll back changes.

2. Run Startup Repair

If your laptop won’t boot, use Advanced Options → Startup Repair.

3. Repair Windows via Command Prompt

Run the following commands:

4. Reinstall Windows Using a USB

Use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool to reinstall Windows 11 manually from USB.

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Conclusion

Resetting your Windows 11 laptop is one of the most effective ways to fix performance issues, remove malware, or start fresh.

Here’s a quick recap of the process:

• ✅ Back up your files safely

• ✅ Open Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC

• ✅ Choose Keep my files or Remove everything

• ✅ Pick Cloud or Local reinstall

• ✅ Wait for Windows to reset and reinstall

After the reset, reinstall your apps, restore your files, and enjoy a smooth, faster Windows 11 experience.

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💬 FAQs About Resetting Windows 11 Laptops

1. Will resetting Windows 11 delete everything?

It depends on the option you choose. “Keep my files” keeps your personal data, while “Remove everything” deletes all files and apps.

2. How long does it take to reset a Windows 11 laptop?

Typically, it takes 30–90 minutes, depending on your system speed and internet connection.

3. Do I need a product key to reset Windows 11?

No. Your Windows 11 license is tied to your device hardware and will automatically reactivate after the reset.

4. Can I stop a reset once it starts?

No — interrupting the reset may corrupt Windows. Always let it complete fully.

5. Is resetting Windows 11 the same as reinstalling it?

Not exactly. Resetting reinstalls Windows automatically, while reinstalling requires a bootable USB or installation media.

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🧩 Key Takeaways

• Resetting Windows 11 fixes major software issues easily.

• You can keep your files or wipe everything clean.

• Use Cloud Download for the freshest Windows image.

• Always backup your data before resetting.

• Ideal for boosting performance or preparing for resale.

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