How To Go Back To Factory Settings Windows 8

On Windows xi, if you lot take been using the same setup for a long time or are experiencing issues with the computer, you lot can utilise the "Reset this PC" feature to revert the organization to factory default settings to resolve most common problems and improve operation.

The "Reset this PC" feature has been bachelor since Windows 10, and on Windows xi, it also allows you to reinstall Windows with multiple options. For example, y'all accept an selection to restore the factory settings keeping your settings and files, and there is another choice to remove everything to help resolve problems starting upwardly or shutting down, excessive retention usage, performance running apps, battery draining rapidly, or getting rid off a tough malware.

The feature even offers an choice to use the original image instead of a custom manufacturer recovery paradigm that may contain unwanted bloatware and configurations.

In this Windows xi guide, we'll walk y'all through 3 unlike methods to reset your computer to its factory settings without your files or erasing everything.

How to factory reset Windows 11 preserving files
How to factory reset Windows 11 ereasing everything

How to factory reset Windows 11 preserving files

To reset a Windows xi laptop or desktop to its manufactory default settings without losing the files, employ these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on System.
Click the Recovery page on the correct side.

Source: Windows Primal
Nether the "Recovery options" section, click the Reset PC button for the "Reset this PC" feature.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Keep my files option.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Select the option to reset Windows 11:

Source: Windows Central
- Deject download: Download a fresh copy of the installation from the cloud and reinstall Windows 11. However, this option will not restore the tools, apps, and configuration that came with the original epitome provided by the manufacturer.
- Local reinstall: Uses the files already bachelor to reset the reckoner. If this is a branded device (such as Dell, Asus, Lenovo, etc.), this process will restore the factory drivers, settings, and tools.
Review the apps to reinstall later on the reset to mill settings.
Click the Next buttion.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Reset button.

Source: Windows Key

Once you lot complete the steps, the computer will reset to the mill settings preserving your files.

Afterward factory reset

After the reset is complete, check for updates to ensure that Windows 11 is not missing any security, patches, or drivers. Likewise, you may need to reinstall whatsoever of your previous applications equally necessary.

Check for updates

To install updates for Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Cheque for updates button.

Source: Windows Central

Once y'all complete the steps, Windows Update volition download the latest patches and drivers updates (if available).

Cheque for missing drivers

To check for missing drivers after the "Reset this PC," apply these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
Confirm that at that place'southward no branch called "Other devices," which ordinarily lists devices without drivers.

Source: Windows Cardinal

If you take one or more devices with missing drivers, check the estimator manufacturer support website to download and install the latest drivers bachelor.

The final thing left to do is to reinstall whatsoever app previously installed on your estimator (if applicative).

How to manufactory reset Windows 11 using remove everything selection

To use the reset feature removing everything on a reckoner that you employ for working at abode or gaming, utilize these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on System.
Click the Recovery page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central
Nether the "Recovery options" section, click the Reset PC button for the "Reset this PC" feature.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Remove everything option.

Source: Windows Central
Select the Cloud download or Local reinstall, depending on how yous desire to reset the system.

Source: Windows Cardinal
(Optional) Click the Change settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Turn on the Data erasure toggle switch.

Quick note: Use this selection if you are preparing the computer for auction. Otherwise, if y'all are trying to refresh the installation, the default reset settings are recommended.
(Optional) Turn on the Information drives toggle switch to erase the Windows 11 installation bulldoze and any other storage drive connected to your estimator.
Click the Confirm button.

Source: Windows Central
Review the apps to reinstall later the reset to factory settings.
Click the Adjacent push.
Click the Reset push.

Source: Windows Fundamental

After you complete the steps, the process will erase the drives depending on your configuration and install a make clean copy of Windows 11.

After factory reset steps

If you are selling the device, you don't need to do anything else. However, in the case that you are starting over with the device, at that place are some extra steps, including checking for updates and missing drivers, and yous want to reinstall your applications and restore your files from fill-in.

Checking for updates

To install updates for Windows 11, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Check for updates button.

Source: Windows Cardinal

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install any missing updates and drivers (if available).

Check for missing drivers

To bank check for missing drivers after the "Reset this PC," employ these steps:

Open up Showtime.
Search for Device Manager and click the peak consequence to open up the app.
Confirm that at that place'southward no co-operative called "Other devices," which usually lists devices without drivers.

Source: Windows Primal

If you have components without drivers, check the computer manufacturer support website to download and install the latest drivers available.

Restore files from backup

If you accept a backup of your files, now is time to restore them. The recovery process will be unlike depending on the file backup method.

For example, if you apply OneDrive, the files may already be syncing on the computer; notwithstanding, if they are non, you may demand to reconfigure the app once more.

If you backed upward your files manually to an external drive, connect the portable drive, and utilise these steps:

Open File Explorer.
Click on This PC from the left pane.
Under the "Devices and drives" section, double-click the storage with the file fill-in.

Source: Windows Central
Select the files and folders.
Click the Copy button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Open the destination binder.
Click the Paste button.

Source: Windows Central

Once yous complete the steps, you may demand to repeat the steps to restore additional files. If you are missing any application, now is the fourth dimension to install them.

More than Windows resources

For more than helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions near Windows eleven and Windows 11, visit the post-obit resources:

Windows eleven on Windows Central — All you demand to know
Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
Windows 11 on Windows Cardinal — All y'all demand to know

Room to grow

Here's how Forza Horizon 5 could be even better

Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best games of 2022, and 1 of the greatest racing games you lot tin can play. Information technology'due south certainly not perfect, though, with plenty of areas with room for improvement. Here are five things Forza Horizon five could do improve.

Fun in the snow

Review: Shredders on Xbox is a love letter to snowboarding

Shredders is an Xbox console sectional launching day and engagement into Xbox Game Pass, and lets players alive out their greatest fantasies of being a professional snowboarder. Despite some performance issues, Shredders largely succeeds at enabling epic fun in the snow.