Factory reset without wiping the hard drive

Hi Sofi. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

Sofi, your hard drive will always remain, it's what's on the hard drive that is erased or not. If you choose the deep clean Reset without saving files, it is a cleaner install that wipes everything off the drive. This means you need to have your files backed up in advanced and be prepared to reinstall your personal apps and programs that do not come from the Store app - which will have your Store games and apps ready to install once you sign-in.

The deep clean reset is important because just as the install gets corrupted and slows down, the User account you sign in with can also become corrupted and need replacement. When you choose to save nothing in the Reset, it will have you set up your account again which is a better install.

Here are all ways to Reset WIndows 10 and 11:
https://winbuzzer.com/2022/01/01/how-to-reset-w...

After install expedite all Windows Updates including Optional until no more are offered. Then import any drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page for your model that are newer, or branded instead of generic. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is how to keep the latest manufacturer's drivers current. Windows drivers are rarely enough.

Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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Hey, Thank you for replying!

I have a few more questions, I hope you don't mind.

This is the reset I'm planning to do.

Settings>Recovery>Reset this pc> Remove everything.

If I choose reset everything.. do I have to download OS and stuff like that?

I just want to get rid of my apps and files to make my pc new again.

Thank you!:D

If you're not planning to keep files then you can perform a reset remove files or a clean install.

Of these a reset remove files takes fewer steps in that you do not need to create a bootable flash drive.

A clean install though is optimal as it allows the correction of any underlying partition issues.

For the slower and slower hard drive consider replacing the drive with a SSD.

The Crucial scanner will provide some options:

https://www.crucial.com/store/systemscanner

Find a flash drive that you can format ( > or = 8 GB).

Create a bootable Windows Media Creation Tool (MCT) (Windows 11 iso):

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/create-windows-11-bootable-usb-installation-media.750/#:~:text=Under%20Device%2C%20select%20the%20USB,Under%20Partition%20scheme%2C%20select%20GPT.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/download-official-windows-11-iso-file-from-microsoft.1009/

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

Clean install Windows 11:

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/clean-install-windows-11.99/

Install drivers form the computer, motherboard, and component manufacturer websites.

After the clean install make free backup images and save the images to another disk drive or the cloud.

(Acronis, Aoemi, EaseUS, Macrium, Paragon, etc.)

If the computer becomes sluggish again you can restore an image.

Backup images can be typically restored in less than one hour.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/61026-backup-restore-macrium-reflect.html

Thank you!

Sorry for the late reply:')

I will try on Friday and I will keep you updated.

Thanks!~

Have a great week!

Sofi, I explained this in my post above and even provided you with an illustrated tutorial in the link for all ways to do a Reset.

You should choose the cloud Reset so the Reset downloads the latest installation files and runs them for you.

You will want to observe the progress and report back if there are any problems.

Again, After install expedite all Windows Updates including Optional until no more are offered. Then import any drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page for your model that are newer, or branded instead of generic. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is how to keep the latest manufacturer's drivers current. Windows drivers are rarely enough.

If you're not aware of the PC make and Model, you can type System Information in Search, open it to look for the System Model. Then go to the manufacturer's Support Downloads web page for that exact model to update any drivers that are newer when you check in Device Manager after all WIndows Updates are done.

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.