Windows 11 Initialization How to use “Reset this PC”
Windows 11’s reset function “Reset this PC” can use two types of initialization methods, “Keep user information and files” and “Delete all users and files” to clean data. This page introduces how to initialize this PC with the reset function.
There are two types of initialization and data selection for initialization, so please see “Overview of resetting this PC with the reset function” first.
Overview of resetting this PC
Initialization procedure
- Click “Recovery” in the system item of the setting
- Click “Reset your PC” in the recovery options
- Choosing to keep personal files
- Choosing to initialize in the cloud or locally
- Click “Reset” to perform initialization
Windows 11 initialization can reset your computer with a simple operation as described above.
What happens when you initialize
- Although it is similar to reinstalling, it is a function that resets and initializes the currently used windows 11 instead of returning the computer to its original state (at the time of shipment) .
It is not intended to return to the previous version or restore the initial state using a recovery disc. - If you select “Keep files”, the user information (account name, password), data in the user folder, drivers, etc. will be retained and initialized .
However, any additional apps or unnecessary items will be deleted, Windows will be replaced, and the system will be initialized. In addition, all settings such as “Windows Settings” will be reset to their initial values. - If you select ” Delete all “, all the data in the disk (partition) where Windows 11 is installed will be deleted. Since this choice will be a complete reinstallation, you will also need to perform basic settings and user account registration from the beginning .
Things to note before initialization
Notes on Microsoft account
If the computer to be initialized is managed on the Internet with a Microsoft account, the device (PC) to be initialized must be deleted from the dedicated site before initialization. It may not progress. For the website where the device is managed, open the following URL, sign in and on the device to be initialized, click “Show details” and select “Delete” under “More actions”. release.
https://account.microsoft.com/devices If you don’t know if your device is managed or not, you can still check from the URL above. If the page opens and says ” Device not found “, it is not managed and initialization is not affected.
BitLocker drive encryption
Depending on the computer model, BitLocker (drive encryption) may be enabled by default even in the “Home version”. It is safer to cancel the encryption before initialization, as the recovery key may not be known and entered during initialization, and problems may occur. Details on how to check whether BitLocker is enabled or disabled and how to unlock the encryption are provided on the following page.
Description of the two types of initialization
Whether you delete everything or keep the files, back up important files to another drive.
keep personal files
Preserve and initialize user information and files. If you want to continue using your computer after initializing it for repair, click here.
- User information is retained, so there is no need to create new users, and passwords can be used as is.
- Initialize without deleting the files in the user folder such as “Documents” and “Pictures”.
- All added apps will be deleted. Also, some apps may be removed, such as OneDrive, which was originally installed.
Delete all
Delete all the data in the disk where Windows 11 is installed and install Windows 11 newly. It is the same function as clean install except disk partition operation. This is the safest way to dispose of or transfer your PC.
- User information will be deleted, so you will need to create a new user. It is possible to set up a local account that has been set up so far or a Microsoft account again.
- User folders and all added folders are deleted.
- All added apps and apps installed from the beginning will be deleted.
Description of data types used in initialization
There are two ways to initialize data: data saved on your computer, and new downloads from the cloud. Normally, there is no problem with the data on your computer, but if you are worried about initialization failure, you can use the downloaded data.
Local reinstall
Initialize using the data in the PC. Normally, there is no problem with this method.
Download from cloud
Initialize with data downloaded from the Internet. Downloading requires 4GB or more of free space. If there is a problem with the initialization data in the computer and initialization fails, using the cloud may succeed.
Where to perform the initialization “Reset this PC”
As for the execution location of initialization, execute it from “Reset this PC” in the same way when keeping or deleting users and files. 1. Click the “Start Button” and click “Settings” in the Start Menu.
2. When “Settings” is displayed, the system screen is displayed, so click “Recovery”.
3. If you click “Reset PC” in Recovery, a selection screen will appear and you can perform initialization.
To continue initialization, proceed to “Keep users and files” or “Erase all data” below.
2. When “Choose how to reinstall Windows” is displayed, select the type of data to be used for initialization.
3. “Additional Settings” will appear. If you do not change to “Download”, click “Next”.
4. When you see “You are ready to reset this PC”, click “Reset”.
Click “Apps to be removed” to view the list of apps that will be removed. Even after initialization, a list file of deleted apps is created on the desktop screen, so you can check it.5. “Preparing to reset” is displayed, so wait as it is.
If you have selected ” Download from the cloud ” for the data to be used for initialization , after the download is completed and verified here, it will move to “Preparing”.
To cancel, click “Cancel”.
Cancellation of initialization will not be possible once this preparation is completed.
6. When the preparation is completed, the startup screen will be displayed after restarting.
- It says “Resetting this PC”. At this stage, we are taking a current backup.
- It may take some time depending on the environment, but just wait. Reboot when done.
7. It will show “Installing” after rebooting.
- Windows will start reinstalling. The installation will take some time as well.
- It will automatically reboot several times during the process.
8. Completion of initialization with files
- “This may take a few minutes.” is displayed, and after several messages are displayed, it is displayed as “It is almost completed”, so please wait for a while.
- It may restart automatically depending on the environment. Also, please do not force quit just because you are not progressing.
- If the home screen is displayed, initialization is complete.
If you initialized by keeping files, a list file of deleted apps is created on the desktop screen, so you can check it by double-clicking it.
How to delete all data and initialize
2. When “Choose how to reinstall Windows” is displayed, select the type of data to be used for initialization.
3. “Additional Settings” will appear. If you don’t want to permanently delete the data, click “Next”.
Complete data deletion
In “Additional settings”, if you click “Do you want to perform data cleaning?” and set it to “Yes”, you can delete data completely. If it’s just a file restore app, you can make it unrecoverable. If you are going to discard or transfer your computer, choose cleaning. However, it takes hours to initialize.
4. When you see “You are ready to reset this PC”, click “Reset”.
5. “Preparing to reset” is displayed, so wait as it is.
If you have selected ” Download from the cloud ” for the data to be used for initialization , after the download is completed and verified here, it will move to “Preparing”.
To cancel, click “Cancel”.
Cancellation of initialization will not be possible once this preparation is completed.
6. When the preparation is completed, the startup screen will be displayed after restarting.
- It says “Resetting this PC”. At this stage, we are taking a current backup.
- It may take some time depending on the environment, but just wait. Reboot when done.
7. It will show “Installing” after rebooting.
- Windows will start reinstalling. The installation will take some time as well.
- It will automatically reboot several times during the process.
Initial setting in reinstallation of delete all (initialization)
1. Voice guidance starts.
Mute the volume with the “speaker” button.
2. After a while, the message “Is this the area you live in?” will be displayed, so check the country name and click “Yes”.
3. Click Yes when asked Is this the correct keyboard layout or input method?
4. “Would you like to add a second keyboard layout?” This is a setting to add a non-Japanese keyboard layout.
Click “Skip” if you don’t need it. Adding a keyboard can be set even after installation.
Before the next setting, “Checking for updates.” may be displayed, but it is OK.
5. When “Let’s name your PC” is displayed, enter your computer name. It’s the name of the PC, not the username.
- You can change the name of your PC even after installation. ” Skip ” if you want to change it later .
- If you want to set the PC name, enter it in the box and click ” Next “.
- On Windows, if you use hiragana or kanji for your user name, it will cause problems, so half-width alphanumeric characters are recommended.
* After completing this setting, the computer will restart. After rebooting, wait for a while. How would you like to configure this device?
This setting item is not displayed in the Home version. Set “Personal use” or “Organization use”.
If your PC is not managed by an organization such as a company or school, you can select “Personal use”. After making your selections, click Next.
6.Add User Accounts
Pro and Home versions have different setup screens. In the case of Home version even in initialization, adding a Microsoft account is required, but there is a workaround for adding a local account . The Pro version has both options. See the local account section for details.
How to create an account “by type”
- 6-1. Move to create user with Microsoft account ↓
- 6-2. Move to create user with local account ↓
Enter the email or phone number used for Microsoft services and click “Next” to display the password entry screen and sign in. .
- If the account protection screen appears, enter the required information and click “Next” or click “Skip”.
- “Create a PIN (password substitute)” may be displayed. If you want to set a PIN, operate as described, and if not necessary, close the screen with the “x” in the upper right.
You can set a “PIN” for logging in to your Microsoft account even after installation.
Create a new user with a Microsoft account
If you don’t have an account, you can create one. , click Create.
Here, you can use only email services provided by major companies such as Gmail / Yahoo, but there are reports of problems, so it is better to “acquire a new email address ” .
- If you enter an email address such as Gmail in the box, Microsoft will create a Microsoft account by linking it with your Google account information. For example, if you link with Gmail, you will be able to log in to Windows 10 with your Gmail email address and password.
- If you don’t want or can’t use your email service email address, click Get New Email Address.
- Enter your preferred username in the box and click Next.
- If the user name is already registered, a message will be displayed. Enter a different name and click “Next” again.
- If the message is not displayed, click “Next”.
Enter (set) a password and click Next.
Enter your first and last name, then your country/region and date of birth.
Create a PIN
- When prompted to Create a PIN, click Create PIN.
- Enter the same PIN in both boxes and click OK. Select Include letters and symbols if you want the PIN to also include symbols.
- Click Cancel if you don’t want a PIN. If canceling gives an error, create a PIN.
What is a PIN?
Set a PIN instead of a password. The PIN will be saved on the computer you created and will be linked to your Microsoft account password and his PIN. Since the PIN is saved on the computer, it can be used only on the computer (terminal) that has been set, so it can improve security.
Your Microsoft account is now created.
Proceed to the next section, Device Privacy Settings.
Please be aware that the operation method is different between the Pro version and the Home version. If the explanation here is difficult to understand, please see the link to another page in the explanation.Home version first operation
For Home Ver.21H2 When
the screen to add a Microsoft account appears, disconnect the network. To disconnect, unplug the network cable, go out of reach for Wi-Fi, or turn off Wi-Fi with the keyboard. When the network connection is disconnected, click the “←” back button on the upper left of the screen to display the local account creation screen.
After disconnecting from the network, you can create a local account by editing the registry or executing a command.
For Pro Ver.21H2
- Click “Sign-in options” and then click “Offline accounts”.
- When prompted about your Microsoft account, click Skip for now.
For Pro Ver.22H2
In Ver.22H2, “Skip now” has been changed to ” Join the domain instead “.
- Click “Sign-in options” and then click “Offline accounts”.
- When you see “Sign-in options”, click ” Join a domain instead “.
■ From here, the operation is the same for both Pro and Home.
Who will use this device? is displayed, enter the “user account name” in the “Name” box and click “Next”.
* As mentioned in “PC name”, it is recommended to use half-width alphanumeric characters for the user name . Problems may arise, such as the inability to use foreign-made apps in Japanese. Create a strong and easy-to-remember password
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- In the password box, enter your password and click Next.
- When the “Confirm Password” screen appears, enter the same password again in the box and click “Next”.
Create a security question for this account
*This setting is required.
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- If you forget your password, you can process it by answering the question.
- Select the content of the question, enter “Answer” and click “Next”.
- The question and answer should have 3 types of content.
- The content of the question once selected cannot be used.
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This completes the creation of the local account.
Proceed to “Device privacy settings” below. 7. Choose Device Privacy Settings
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- You can make settings such as sending location information and Windows 11 usage status to Microsoft. Click the switch button to disable (No) or enable (Yes).
- If you click “Next” when the setting is completed, the setting will be displayed, so set it and click “Next”.
- Click the Agree button when it appears. Click to reboot and start the final configuration.
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*After initializing this setting, you can make more detailed settings in “Privacy and security” in “Settings”. 8. Final stage of installation
The final stage of installation begins. Several introductions to Windows 11 will be displayed, and when finished, it will restart.
9. Completion of initialization with all data deleted
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- “This may take a few minutes.” is displayed, and after several messages are displayed, it is displayed as “It is almost completed”, so please wait for a while.
- It may restart automatically depending on the environment. Also, please do not force quit just because you are not progressing.
- If the home screen is displayed, initialization is complete.
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