How to Reset an App to Default in Windows 11

What Happens When You Reset or Repair an App?

Resetting an app in Windows 11 deletes all of its saved data, login details, and cached files to return the program to its original factory state. This fixes stubborn glitches and crashes, but it also removes your personal settings and unpins the program from your taskbar 🖥️. Try using the repair option first, which clears bugs without touching your personal saved data.

Resorting to a full reset makes sense when the built-in repair function fails to resolve persistent software glitches.

Taskbar shortcuts disappear during a reset. Pinned icons require manual re-pinning after the configuration wipe completes.

How to Reset an App in 🪟 Windows 11

Option 1Reset 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.

You can easily reset any app in Windows 11 back to its default state using the main Settings menu. This built-in method lets you force-stop a frozen program and wipe its corrupted cache files in just a few clicks without needing any technical commands or third-party tools.

Open Installed Apps in Settings

Click the three dots and select Advanced options

Click Reset to start the reset process

Option 2Reset App from the Start Menu

You can quickly access the reset app menu directly from the Windows 11 Start menu without opening the full system settings page. This shortcut lets you right-click any installed program in your app list to jump straight to the advanced options screen and clear broken cache files.

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 3Reset App Using PowerShell (For Advanced Users)

PowerShell (a command-line tool for running text commands) lets advanced users wipe and reinstall built-in system apps that lack a standard reset button in the normal settings menu. This command-line method targets the core package files directly to fix broken programs that refuse to open or function normally.

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 4Use Pre-made PowerShell Commands for Popular Apps

The following text snippets execute app resets when pasted into PowerShell:

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.

You can easily reset any misbehaving app in Windows 11 back to its default state using the main Settings menu, the Start menu, or PowerShell commands. Always try the safer repair option first to fix bugs without losing your saved data, and remember that a full reset will clear your preferences and unpin the program from your taskbar.