Quick answer: to reset your PC for a fresh start in Windows 11:
- Back up your files and note your BitLocker recovery key.
- Open Settings › System › Recovery and click Reset PC next to Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files (removes apps and settings) or Remove everything (removes files too).
- Choose Cloud download (fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft) or Local reinstall (uses files already on the PC).
- Review the settings, click Reset, and keep the PC plugged in. It usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours.
On Windows 10 the path is Settings › Update & Security › Recovery › Get started.
Sommaire
- What “reset for a fresh start” means today
- Before you reset: checklist
- Find and save your BitLocker recovery key
- How to reset your PC in Windows 11 (step by step)
- How to reset your PC in Windows 10
- Cloud download or Local reinstall?
- Reset a PC that won’t start
- How long does a reset take?
- After the reset: what to do
- Preparing a PC to sell or give away
- Reset failed? Fixes
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources and references
What “reset for a fresh start” means today
Windows 10 once had a separate Fresh Start tool in Windows Security that reinstalled Windows and removed manufacturer apps. Microsoft has since folded it into Reset this PC. Today, a fresh start means reinstalling Windows with Reset this PC, choosing how much to keep.
| Option | Personal files | Apps | Settings | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Kept | Removed | Reset to default | Slow or unstable PC you keep using |
| Remove everything | Deleted | Removed | Reset to default | Fully clean start, persistent problems |
| Remove everything + Clean data | Securely erased | Removed | Reset to default | Selling, donating or recycling the PC |
| Fix problems using Windows Update (Windows 11) | Kept | Kept | Kept | Repair Windows without losing anything |
Try the gentle option first: if you only want to fix glitches, Settings › System › Recovery › Fix problems using Windows Update › Reinstall now reinstalls your current Windows version and keeps files, apps and settings.
Before you reset: checklist
- Back up your files to an external drive or OneDrive, even if you choose Keep my files.
- Save your BitLocker recovery key (see below). Without it you may be locked out after the reset.
- Know your Microsoft account password and have access to its email or phone for verification.
- List the apps you use and find their installers and license keys (Office, Adobe, games, printer software).
- Export browser bookmarks and passwords, or check they sync to your account.
- Plug in the laptop and make sure there is at least 20 GB free on drive C:.
- For Cloud download, use a stable internet connection: Windows downloads several gigabytes.
Find and save your BitLocker recovery key
Many Windows 11 PCs encrypt the drive automatically. A reset can ask for the 48-digit recovery key.
- Sign in at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey with the Microsoft account used on the PC.
- Find the key whose ID matches your PC, and write it down or print it.
- Or, on the PC, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
manage-bde -protectors -get C:Keep the key somewhere other than the PC you are resetting.
How to reset your PC in Windows 11 (step by step)
- Press Windows + I and go to System › Recovery.
- Next to Reset this PC, click Reset PC.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall (see the comparison below).
- On Additional settings, click Change settings to review the options:
- Clean data: securely erases the drive (Remove everything only). Slower, but makes data recovery very difficult.
- Delete files from all drives: also wipes other internal drives, such as a D: data drive.
- Restore preinstalled apps: on PCs that came with Windows, turning this off removes the manufacturer’s extra software, like the old Fresh Start tool.
- Click Next. Windows lists the apps that will be removed (Keep my files) and shows a summary.
- Click Reset. The PC restarts several times. Don’t turn it off.
- Complete the setup screens: region, keyboard, network, Microsoft account.
How to reset your PC in Windows 10
- Open Settings › Update & Security › Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Follow the same choices: Keep my files or Remove everything, then Cloud download or Local reinstall, then Change settings if needed.
- Click Reset.
Note: Windows 10 reached the end of standard support on October 14, 2025. A reset reinstalls Windows 10; it does not upgrade the PC to Windows 11.
Cloud download or Local reinstall?
| Cloud download | Local reinstall | |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Windows | Fresh copy downloaded from Microsoft | Rebuilt from files already on the PC |
| Internet needed | Yes, several GB | No |
| Works if system files are damaged | Yes, usually more reliable | May fail if files are corrupted |
| Speed | Depends on your connection | Often faster on a slow connection |
| Windows version installed | Same version you have now | Same version you have now |
| Recommended when | Local reinstall failed, or Windows is unstable | Slow or capped internet, healthy system |
Reset a PC that won’t start
If Windows doesn’t load, use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
- From the sign-in screen: hold Shift, click Power › Restart.
- If nothing loads: turn the PC on and, as soon as the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to turn it off. Repeat twice. On the third start, Windows opens Automatic Repair; choose Advanced options.
- Go to Troubleshoot › Reset this PC and follow the same choices.
If a BitLocker screen appears, enter the recovery key you saved earlier.
Coming to Windows 11: Microsoft is previewing a Cloud Rebuild option in the recovery environment that reinstalls Windows and drivers from Windows Update, even when the current installation can’t start. Check whether it is available on your PC under Troubleshoot.
How long does a reset take?
| Type of reset | Typical time (SSD) |
|---|---|
| Keep my files, Local reinstall | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Remove everything, Local reinstall | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Cloud download | Add the download time (often 10 to 30 minutes) |
| Remove everything + Clean data | Several hours, especially on hard drives |
Times are higher on older hard drives (HDD). A progress screen that stays on the same percentage for a while is normal.
After the reset: what to do
- Run Windows Update (Settings › Windows Update › Check for updates) until nothing is left, including optional driver updates.
- Check activation: Settings › System › Activation. A PC with a digital license reactivates automatically once online.
- Install drivers from your PC maker’s support site if something doesn’t work (Wi-Fi, touchpad, printer).
- Reinstall your apps from official sites or the Microsoft Store.
- Restore your files from your backup.
- If you chose Keep my files, open the Removed Apps list on the desktop to see what to reinstall.
Preparing a PC to sell or give away
- Sign out of and remove the PC from your Microsoft account (account.microsoft.com/devices).
- Deactivate licenses tied to the PC (Office, Adobe, antivirus).
- Reset with Remove everything, turn on Clean data and Delete files from all drives.
- When setup starts (the region screen), hold the power button to turn the PC off. The new owner will complete setup.
Reset failed? Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.” | Damaged recovery files | Try again with Cloud download; or run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and sfc /scannow, then retry |
| “Unable to find the recovery environment” | WinRE disabled or missing | In Command Prompt (admin), run reagentc /info, then reagentc /enable |
| Reset stuck at a percentage for hours | Slow drive or large Clean data job | Wait at least 2 to 3 hours before forcing a restart |
| Asks for a BitLocker recovery key | Drive encryption | Get it from account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey |
| Not enough space | Drive almost full | Free at least 20 GB, or choose Remove everything |
| Reset still fails | Deeper system damage | Clean install from a USB drive made with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool |
🛠️ Real-world case: a slow laptop that kept crashing
| Setup | Four-year-old Windows 11 laptop, frequent freezes and a full startup list of unused utilities |
|---|---|
| Choice | Backup to an external drive, then Reset this PC › Keep my files › Cloud download, with Restore preinstalled apps turned off |
| Duration | About 1 hour, then 20 minutes of Windows updates and driver installs |
| Result | Startup time cut sharply, no more freezes; only 6 apps needed reinstalling, using the Removed Apps list |
Takeaway: Keep my files with Cloud download is often the best balance. Back up anyway: “keep” refers to files in your user folders, not everything on the drive.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset my PC for a fresh start in Windows 11?
Open Settings › System › Recovery, click Reset PC, choose Keep my files or Remove everything, then Cloud download or Local reinstall, and click Reset. Back up your files and BitLocker key first.
Does resetting my PC delete everything?
Only if you choose Remove everything. Keep my files keeps the files in your user folders but removes all installed apps and resets settings. Always back up before either option.
Will I lose my Windows license after a reset?
No. A PC with a digital license reactivates automatically once it connects to the internet. Check under Settings › System › Activation.
Should I choose Cloud download or Local reinstall?
Cloud download gets a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft and is more reliable if system files are damaged. Local reinstall uses files on the PC and needs no internet. If one fails, try the other.
What happened to Windows Fresh Start?
The separate Fresh Start tool from Windows 10 was folded into Reset this PC. On PCs that came with Windows, turning off Restore preinstalled apps during a reset gives the same result: Windows without the manufacturer’s extra software.
How long does it take to reset a PC?
Usually 30 minutes to 2 hours on an SSD, plus download time for Cloud download. With Clean data turned on, it can take several hours.
Can I reset a PC that won’t boot?
Yes. Interrupt startup three times to open the recovery environment, then choose Troubleshoot › Reset this PC. You may need your BitLocker recovery key.
Sources and references
- Pureinfotech – How to factory reset Windows 11 removing everything
- tbreak – Windows 11 Cloud Rebuild recovery
- [Microsoft Support – Recovery options in Windows: add the link from support.microsoft.com]
- Own tests on Windows 11 and Windows 10, [add test date]
