Reset This PC in Windows 11: Keep My Files vs. Remove Everything

You want to reset Windows 11 to fix a misbehaving PC or wipe it before selling — but you’re not sure which option keeps your stuff and which erases it.

Why: “Reset this PC” reinstalls Windows. Two choices control what survives: Keep my files (refresh) preserves your personal files but removes apps and settings; Remove everything (full reset) erases files, apps, and settings for a clean slate. Pick wrong and you either don’t fix the problem or lose data.

Fix 1: Reset from inside Windows

1. Go to Settings → System → Recovery.
2. Next to Reset this PC, click Reset PC.
3. Choose your option:
   • Keep my files — reinstalls Windows, keeps documents/photos in your user folders, but removes installed apps and settings. Use this to repair a sluggish or broken Windows you intend to keep using.
   • Remove everything — reinstalls Windows and deletes all files, apps, and settings. Use this before selling, giving away, or starting fresh.
4. Choose how to reinstall:
   • Cloud download — pulls a fresh copy from Microsoft (needs internet, ~4 GB). Best if local files may be damaged.
   • Local reinstall — rebuilds from files already on the PC. Faster on slow connections but may be an older build.
5. Review the summary and click Reset.

Back up first. Even “Keep my files” only protects files in your user folders — anything stored elsewhere, plus every installed program, is gone.

Fix 2: Reset when Windows won’t boot

If you can’t reach Settings, reset from the recovery environment.

1. Force the boot to fail a few times (power on, then hold the power button to shut down as Windows starts loading) until you see Choose an option — the Windows Recovery Environment. Booting from a Windows 11 install USB and choosing Repair your computer also gets you here.
2. Select Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
3. Pick Keep my files or Remove everything, then Cloud download or Local reinstall, and follow the prompts.

Fix 3: Let it finish — don’t interrupt

The reset can look frozen and isn’t.

• The screen may go black for a long stretch (sometimes 15+ minutes) and the PC will restart on its own, possibly several times.
• Do not manually power-cycle the PC during this — interrupting it can corrupt the reset and leave Windows unbootable. Keep it plugged into power and wait it out.

FAQ

Does “Remove everything” securely wipe the drive? During the Remove everything flow there’s a “Change settings” option where you can turn on “Clean data” to make file recovery much harder — use that if you’re selling or donating the PC.

Will resetting change my Windows version? No. It reinstalls the same Windows edition you have; it won’t downgrade you from Windows 11.

Do I need my BitLocker key? If the drive is encrypted, have your BitLocker recovery key handy before you start — find it in your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Reset your PC