How to Remove all your files by Resetting Windows 11 PC

You can remove all your files from a Windows 11 PC by performing a full reset.

Resetting your PC reinstalls Windows 11, essentially giving you a clean slate. This process allows you to choose whether to keep your personal files or remove everything, including applications, settings, and personal data.

This tutorial focuses on the “Remove everything” option, which is ideal for selling your computer or troubleshooting deep system issues by ensuring no personal data remains. It’s like a factory reset for your PC.

Backing up important files is crucial before resetting a Windows 11 PC. A full reset deletes all personal files, programs, and settings. Safeguarding important data is the first step in the reset process, ensuring no desired information is lost.

Before You Reset

Before you reset your Windows 11 PC and remove everything, make sure to back up all your important files first. This is super important because the reset will delete all your personal files, programs, and settings, just like getting a brand new computer.

1. Back Up Your Important Files

   You must do this. When you choose to remove everything, Windows will delete all your files, programs, and settings. Think of it like a factory reset. So, save copies of anything you don’t want to lose.

   • What to back up: This includes your documents, pictures, videos, music, and any other personal data on your PC.
   • Where to back up: You can use an external hard drive, a USB stick, or online storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
2. Get Your Software Ready

   Resetting a Windows 11 PC will remove all installed programs. Users must reinstall these programs after the reset. Keeping license keys and installation files for software readily available before the reset saves time during reinstallation.

3. Check Your BitLocker Recovery Key (If You Use It)

   ⚠️Warning

   If your computer uses BitLocker to protect your hard drive, you will need your BitLocker recovery key. Without it, you might not be able to use your PC after the reset. You can usually find this key by signing into your Microsoft account online.
4. Write Down Your 📶 Wi-Fi Password

   After Windows is reinstalled, you will need to connect to the internet. Having your 📶 Wi-Fi password ready will make this easy.

How to Reset Your PC and Remove Everything

To reset your Windows 11 PC and remove everything, you’ll need to open Windows Settings. You can get there by clicking the Start button and then the Settings gear, or by pressing the Windows key and the ‘I’ key together. Once Settings is open, look for ‘System’ and then find the recovery options.

1. Open ⚙️ Windows Settings

   Click the ⊞ Start button (usually in the bottom-left corner). Then click ⚙️ the Settings gear icon. Or, press the Windows key + I keys on your keyboard together.
2. Go to Recovery Options

   In ⚙️ the Settings window, click on System. Then, scroll down the left side and click on Recovery.

3. Select “Reset PC”

   Under the "Recovery options" heading in Windows 11 settings, the "Reset PC" feature appears. Clicking the "Get started" button next to "Reset PC" begins the process of restoring your computer to its factory settings, allowing you to choose whether to keep or remove personal files.
4. Choose “Remove everything”

   Windows will give you two choices:

   Since we want a completely fresh start, choose Remove everything.

   • Keep my files: This reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files. It removes apps and settings.
   • Remove everything: This reinstalls Windows and removes all your personal files, apps, and settings.
5. Choose How to Reinstall Windows

   After selecting “Remove everything,” Windows will ask how you want to reinstall Windows. You will usually see two options:

   For most people, the Cloud download is the best way to get a clean and up-to-date system. If you have a slow internet connection, the local reinstall might be better.

   • Cloud download: This downloads a new copy of Windows from Microsoft’s servers. It is usually best because you get the newest version with all the latest updates. This is good if your internet is fast and stable.
   • Local reinstall: This uses files already on your PC to reinstall Windows. It is faster if your internet is slow. However, the Windows version might not be the very latest.
6. Additional Settings (Clean Data?)

   You might see an “Additional settings” screen. Here, you might find an option to clean the drive.

   Warning: Once you choose to “Clean data,” you cannot get your files back. Only select this if you are absolutely sure you want to remove all data forever.

   • Clean data: If you plan to sell, give away, or recycle your PC, it’s highly recommended to turn this on. It deletes files and then overwrites them. This makes it much harder for anyone to get your personal information back. This option takes much longer than a normal reset.
   • Don’t clean data: If you are resetting the PC for yourself and just want a fresh start, you can skip this. It’s faster but less secure if someone else will use the PC.
7. Review and Confirm

   Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. It will remind you that all your files, apps, and settings will be removed. Read this carefully.

   If you are ready, click the Reset button. Your PC will then start reinstalling Windows.

What Happens During the Reset

Resetting a Windows 11 PC to remove everything requires multiple restarts. The process may briefly show a black screen, which is normal behavior. Interrupting the PC shutdown during this time can prevent the reset from completing successfully.

• Your PC will restart several times.
• You might see a black screen for a long time. This is normal! Windows is working.
• Try not to interrupt the process. Forcing a shutdown or restart during the reset can make it fail. This could leave your PC unusable.

After the Reset: Setting Up Your New Windows

After your Windows 11 PC finishes resetting and removing everything, it’ll start up like a brand new computer with the Out-of-Box Experience screen. You’ll then need to pick your region and keyboard layout, connect to your Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Microsoft account or create a new local one to finish setting things up.

• You will need to choose your region and keyboard layout.
• Connect to your 📶 Wi-Fi network (this is where your saved password helps!).
• Sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account.
• Windows will then download updates and set up your system.

From here, you can start reinstalling your favorite programs, bringing back your backed-up files, and making your PC how you like it. Enjoy your clean, fast, and refreshed Windows experience!

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reset-your-pc-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e

Summary

Resetting your Windows 11 PC to remove everything basically reinstalls Windows and wipes out all your personal files, apps, and settings, giving you a clean slate. Before you start, remember to back up anything important, grab your software details and license keys, and know your Wi-Fi password. If you use BitLocker, make sure you have your recovery key ready.