How Do I Reset Windows 10/11 and Make It Like New Again [No Data Loss]
In this article, you'll learn:
- When to Reset Windows 10/11
- What Will I Lose If I Reset My PC in Windows 10/11
- Complete Guide to Reset Windows 10/11 and Make It Like New
- Bonus Tip: Bring Back Valuable Files and Essential Apps After Windows 10/11 Reset
Windows 10 is now the most popular operating system in the Windows family, and it owns the biggest market share. However, some people complain that their computer gets slow or stuck on Windows 10 computers.
Windows 11, a rising operating system, was released right after Windows 11, which is now getting more users worldwide. Still, some users want to reset their Windows 11 computers for some reason.
Here in this article, we'll guide you to go through the procedure of resetting Windows 10/11 computer and make your PC as fresh as new without losing any data and apps.
When to Reset Windows 10/11
A set of people may know clearly why and when they should reset their Windows computers. However, some Windows users may know about this operation but don't know the benefits of resetting Windows 10/11 on their PCs.
Here is a list of advantages that explain why do people want to reset their operating systems:
- Refresh the operating system, making it like new
- Fix problems caused by third-party software, virus, or malware
- Fix system file corruption error
- Get rid of system crash error
Aside from these reasons, you can also reset Windows 10 to clean up everything when the computer gets slow or stuck or wipe everything on the computer for selling or giving away the machine.
Can I reset Windows 10 on my own? Sure.
What Will I Lose If I Reset My PC in Windows 10/11
Check the image as shown here, and you'll clearly learn what you will lose if you execute Windows resetting operations:
This is an option prompted by Windows during the process of resetting Windows 10/11, and you'll need to select one option to execute the Windows resetting operation.
- Option 1. Keep my files - You'll lose apps and settings that you added to your computer.
- Option 2. Remove everything - You'll lose everything that you saved on the computer, including data, apps, and settings.
Is there a way that allows me to keep data and apps intact while resetting Windows 10/11? Sure. Follow the guidelines below, and you'll successfully accomplish the task on your own.
Complete Guide to Reset Windows 10/11 and Make It Like New
In this part, we'll present you with a two-stage tutorial guide:
Note:To take good care of your valuable files and favored apps and programs, please start with Guide 1 and follow through with both two guides. However, if you only want to get rid of everything on your PC except for the OS, you can directly start with Guide 2.
Guide 1. Backup Essential Data and Apps Before Resetting Windows 10/11
When your computer goes slow or has some internal errors, you'll have to reset the device to bring everything goes back to its normal state. Remember to create a backup in advance.
If you only want to back up some valuable files, you can simply save them to a secure external storage device. Or, you can apply reliableWindows backup softwarefor help.
If you want to keep some valuable programs and even games intact, you can trust reliablePC data transfer software- Qiling Disk Master.
It enables you to create an image backup of all valuable data and some essential programs into an external storage device or a non-system drive in advance before resetting Windows 10/11.
Step 1. Connect your USB (flash) drive/external hard drive to your source computer.
Launch Qiling Disk Master, click "File backup" on the main "Backup & Restore" page.
Step 2. Select location to move on.
Step 3. Choose the specific data, applications, and accountsinthe Applications, User Accounts, and Files columns to choose the specific data, applications, etc. to create a backup file.
After this, you can now move to the next guide and learn how to reset your Windows 10/11 computer like a new device.
Guide 2. How to Reset Windows 10/11 on Your Own
Here in this part, we'll show you the process of resetting Windows 10 and resetting Windows 11 separately. You can move to the right guide and execute the operation on your PC:
#1. Reset Windows 10 and Make It As Fresh As New
Step 1.Press Windows + X keys to open the Windows menu, and click "Settings" to open the Windows Settings window.
Step 2.Click "Update & Security".
Step 3.Click "Recovery" on the left pane in Settings, and click "Get Started" below Reset this PC.
Step 4.Select the option on how would you like to reset Windows 10:
- Keep my files: Remove apps and settings, but keep your personal files.
- Remove everything: Removes all of your personal files, apps, and settings.
If you want to get rid of everything on the computer, select "Remove everything".
Step 5.Select how you would like to reinstall Windows: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
If you have downloaded Windows 10 ISO, select "Local reinstall"; If not, select "Cloud download".
Step 6.Click "Next" to confirm that you want to continue even Windows warns that you won't be able to roll back to a previous version of Windows.
Step 7.Click "Reset" to start resetting your Windows 10 computer.
Wait for the process to complete. After this, restart your PC and log in to Windows 10. You'll get a fresh new Windows 10 computer.
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#2. Reset Windows 11 On Your Own
The process of resetting Windows 11 goes as similar as on Windows 10, and you can follow the tips here to execute the resetting operation on your computer:
Step 1.Press the Windows + S keys, typesettings, and click "Settings" from the search result.
Step 2.Click "Update & Security" on the Settings window.
Step 3.Click "Recovery" and then select "Get Started" under Reset this PC.
Step 4.Select one of the options to continue resetting your PC:
- Keep my files
- Remove everything
Step 5.Specify which way you prefer to reinstall Windows 11 - Cloud download or Local reinstall.
For an easier resolution, most people would select Cloud download.
Step 6.Confirm that you are ready to reset your PC and click "Next".
Step 7.Then click "Reset" to let Windows reset on your computer.
Wait patiently to let Windows 11 complete the re-installation process.
Bonus Tip: Bring Back Valuable Files and Essential Apps on Windows 10/11
Suppose you created a backup of your Windows 10 or Windows 11 data and apps with the method shown in Guide 1, congratulations. You can now get them back on your computer and make your apps work along with your computer well.
Qiling Disk Master can restore the data and app backup to your computer, making everything work as fine as they were on Windows 10/11.
Step 1. Plugin your USB drive which stores the created backup file to the target PC.
And open Qiling Disk Master. Click "Backup & Restore" page.
Step 2. Click "Browse" to locate the image file. Then, choose "OK" and go to the next step.
Step 3. Now, you can select Applications/Files/Accounts you want to restore. Click "Proceed".
Resetting Windows 10/11 Is Not Complex, Remember to Backup Your Data and Apps
On this page, we discussed the benefits of resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11 and what you will lose if you execute the operation. In case you lose essential content, it's advised that you create a backup of content on your PC, such as personal files and favored apps.
Qiling Disk Master, with its Data Backup feature, can keep your apps, settings, and data intact while resetting the PC. You can always trust it.
The process of resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11 is not complex, but do remember to keep your data and app safe before you start.
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