How to Wipe and Reinstall Windows 11

To wipe and reinstall Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC, choose Remove everything, pick Cloud download or Local reinstall, and follow the prompts. This erases your files, apps, and settings and puts a fresh copy of Windows 11 on the PC. Back up anything you want to keep first. If Windows won’t start at all, use a Windows 11 recovery USB instead.

This guide covers what to do before you start, each Reset this PC option, resetting when Windows won’t boot, a full clean install from a USB drive, and what to do after setup. Reset this PC is enough for most people; the USB method is for when reset fails or you want the most thorough fresh start.

Before You Start

• Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage like OneDrive. See how to back up Windows 11 to an external hard drive.
• Make a list of apps you’ll need to reinstall, and have any product keys or license info ready.
• Find your BitLocker recovery key if the drive uses BitLocker or device encryption. Microsoft says you’ll need it, especially when resetting from the recovery environment. It’s usually saved in your Microsoft account.
• Link your Windows license to your Microsoft account. Microsoft says this helps Windows reactivate after a reinstall. Check your edition in Settings > System > About, since you need to reinstall the same edition.
• Plug in a laptop so it doesn’t run out of power mid-reset.

Reset Windows 11 and Remove Everything

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select System, then Recovery.
3. Next to Reset this PC, select Reset PC. A window asks you to choose an option.
4. Select Remove everything. (Keep my files keeps your documents and photos but still removes your apps and settings.)
5. Choose Cloud download to get a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft, or Local reinstall to use the files already on the PC.
6. If you’re giving the PC away, select Change settings and turn on Clean data. It takes longer but makes files harder to recover.
7. Review the summary, select Next, then Reset. The PC restarts and shows reset progress.

The PC restarts several times. Microsoft warns that the screen can stay black for a long time, sometimes more than 15 minutes, and that restarting the PC yourself during this can make the reset fail, so leave it alone. When it’s done, you’ll see the Windows setup screens, like on a new PC. Microsoft explains each option on its Reset your PC page.

What Each Option Means

• Keep my files (Microsoft also calls it Refresh): reinstalls Windows and removes apps and settings, but keeps your personal files.
• Remove everything (Reset): removes files, apps, and settings. Microsoft recommends it for a fresh start or before selling or giving away the PC.
• Cloud download: downloads a fresh copy of Windows with recent updates. Useful if local files are damaged.
• Local reinstall: uses files already on the PC. Faster on a slow connection, but may not include the latest updates.
• Clean data: cleans the drive so removed files are harder to recover. Microsoft notes this doesn’t meet government or industry data-erasure standards.
• Restore preinstalled apps: puts back the PC maker’s apps and customizations.

If Windows Won’t Start

1. Turn the PC on. After two or three failed startups, Windows opens the recovery screen (Windows RE) on its own.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
3. Choose the same options as above. Enter your BitLocker recovery key if asked.

If the recovery screen doesn’t appear or the reset fails, use a USB drive, below, or a recovery USB made earlier.

Clean Install From a USB Drive

Microsoft’s Windows 11 clean installation guide outlines these steps. You need a blank USB drive of 8 GB or more.

1. On a working PC, download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page, run it, and create a USB installation drive. This erases the USB drive.
2. Plug the USB drive into the PC you’re reinstalling and start the PC from it. Use your PC’s boot menu key, or select Start > Power, hold Shift, select Restart, and choose Use a device.
3. On the Select language settings and Select keyboard settings screens, make your choices and select Next.
4. On Select setup option, choose Install Windows 11, check the box agreeing that everything will be deleted, including files, apps, and settings, and select Next.
5. On the product key screen, enter your key, or select I don’t have a product key if the PC already had activated Windows 11. That option doesn’t give you a license by itself.
6. Select the same edition you had before (Home or Pro), select Next, and select Accept on the license terms.
7. On Select location to install Windows 11, find the Windows disk by its size. To wipe it, select each of its partitions and choose Delete partition, then select the unallocated space. Leave other disks alone, and cancel if you can’t tell which disk holds Windows.
8. Select Next, then Install on the Ready to install screen. Windows installs and restarts into setup.

If setup can’t see your drive, Microsoft says you may need to load a storage driver from the PC maker’s website. For other media options, including an in-place reinstall that keeps your files and apps, see Reinstall Windows with the installation media.

After You Reinstall

• Connect to the internet and sign in with your Microsoft account so Windows can activate. See how to activate Windows 11 if it doesn’t.
• Install updates from Windows Update, including optional driver updates.
• Restore your files from your backup and reinstall your apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a product key to reinstall?

Usually not. If Windows was activated before, it activates again automatically once you’re online. A major hardware change, like a new motherboard, can require reactivation.

Cloud download or Local reinstall?

Cloud download needs a fast internet connection but can fix problems caused by damaged system files. Local reinstall is faster if your files are fine.

How long does a reset take?

Often 30 minutes to a couple of hours, and longer with Clean data turned on.

Is this the same as a factory reset?

Yes. Reset PC with Remove everything is what most people mean by a factory reset. If Restore preinstalled apps is on, the PC maker’s apps come back too. PC makers such as Dell and ASUS also offer their own recovery tools; check your PC maker’s support site.