How to Reset an App to Default in Windows 11

Is your Windows 11 app crashing or not working right? You can reset-apps-in-windows-11-easy-step-by-step-guide/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="3145">reset it to fix the problem. Resetting an app erases its settings and data. It’s like starting fresh with that app.

What Happens When You Reset or Repair an App?

Repair: This tries to fix the app without deleting your data or settings. It’s a good first step if the app is acting up.

Reset: This deletes all the app’s data and settings. The app goes back to how it was when you first installed it. Use this if repairing doesn’t help.

Note: Resetting an app will also remove it from your taskbar if you had it pinned there. You’ll need to pin it again after resetting if you want.

How to Reset an App in Windows 11

Option 1: Reset App Using Settings

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I on your keyboard.
2. Click Apps on the left menu, then click Installed apps on the right.
3. Find the app you want to reset (for example, “Microsoft Store”) in the list.
4. Click the three dots (︙) next to the app, then select Advanced options.
5. Click Terminate to stop the app from running.
6. Scroll down and click Reset.
7. Confirm by clicking Reset again when prompted.
8. The app will be reset to its default settings. You can now close Settings.

Here are some images to help you:

Open Installed Apps in Settings

Click the three dots and select Advanced options

Click Reset to start the reset process

Option 2: Reset App from the Start Menu

If the app isn’t listed in Settings, you can reset it from the Start menu:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Click All apps to see a list of your apps.
3. Right-click the app you want to reset (for example, “Microsoft Store”).
4. Hover over More, then click App settings.
5. Follow the same reset steps as in Option 1.

Click All apps in the Start menu

Option 3: Reset App Using PowerShell (For Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable using command lines, you can reset apps with PowerShell:

1. Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell (search “PowerShell” in Start, then open it).
2. Type this command and press Enter to see all installed apps:
   
   Get-AppxPackage | Select Name
3. Look through the list to find the exact name of the app you want to reset (e.g., Microsoft.WindowsStore for Microsoft Store).
4. Type the command below, replacing AppName with the actual app name, and press Enter:
   
   Get-AppxPackage *AppName* | Reset-AppxPackage
5. Example for Microsoft Store:
   
   Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsStore* | Reset-AppxPackage
6. Close PowerShell when you’re done.

Option 4: Use Pre-made PowerShell Commands for Popular Apps

Here are commands you can copy and paste into PowerShell to reset common apps quickly:

App	PowerShell Command
Calculator	Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsCalculator* | Reset-AppxPackage
Microsoft Store	Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsStore* | Reset-AppxPackage
Photos	Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Reset-AppxPackage
Settings	Get-AppxPackage *windows.immersivecontrolpanel* | Reset-AppxPackage
Snipping Tool	Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* | Reset-AppxPackage
Sticky Notes	Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes* | Reset-AppxPackage

Summary

• You can reset apps in Windows 11 using Settings, the Start menu, or PowerShell.
• Try Repair first if your app has problems. It won’t erase your data.
• Reset will erase app data and settings. Only use it if repair doesn’t work.
• After resetting, you might need to pin the app back to your taskbar if you had it there.
• PowerShell is a powerful tool if you want to reset apps quickly using commands.
• By following these easy steps, you can fix most app problems and get everything working again in Windows 11.

For more help, see the official Microsoft guide on Repair apps and programs in Windows.