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[Windows 11/10] How to Reset (Reinstall) the Operating System
Applicable Products: Notebook, Desktop, All-in-One PC, Gaming Handheld, Motherboard, Graphics card, LCD Monitor, MiniPC
Reinstalling the operating system can restore your system to its original configuration and help you fix many software issues on your device, such as slow system performance or malware infections. When using the built-in reset feature in Windows, you can choose from two different options for resetting:
- Keep personal files: This option will reinstall Windows while preserving your personal files and documents.
- Remove everything: This option will completely delete all files, applications, and settings before reinstalling Windows.
Note: If your device has Device Encryption or BitLocker Encryption enabled, you may need the BitLocker key to reset your system. If you're unsure about your BitLocker key, please refer to this article: Find my BitLocker recovery key.
Reset the system and keep your file
This reset option will reinstall the Windows operating system and preserve your personal files, such as photos, music, videos, and personal documents. It will remove installed applications and drivers, as well as revert any changes you made to the settings.
Note: Resetting your device will take a considerable amount of time. During the reset process, your screen may go black for an extended period and your device may restart on its own. Please ensure that your device is plugged in and avoid forcefully shutting it down to prevent any issues that could lead to a failed reset.
Microsoft provides two methods for reinstalling Windows, and you can choose either method to proceed. (Please note that the time required for reinstalling Windows may vary from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the specific model/specifications of your device.)
Method 1: Perform a Windows reinstallation through the reset option in Windows settings
Please refer to the appropriate operating instructions based on the current version of your Windows operating system on your device:
Windows 11 operating system
To provide you more detailed instruction, you can also click ASUS YouTube video link below to know more about How to reset system in Windows 11:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO_l6PASqnw
- Type and search [Reset this PC] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②.
- In the Reset this PC field, click [Reset PC]③.
- Select [Keep my files]④.
- Select [Local reinstall]⑤.
Note: If you cannot reinstall Windows via Local reinstall or any errors occurred, you are able to choose Cloud download to reinstall Windows. (Your device needs to be in an available internet environment for Cloud download.)
- Click [Change settings]⑥.
- Set the [Restore apps and settings which came with this PC] option as Yes⑦, then select [Confirm]⑧.
Note: If your device is with built-in Windows operating system, it will remove all ASUS apps and settings that came preinstalled on your device once you set the [Restore apps and settings which came with this PC] option as No.
- Confirm the settings are correct, then select [Next]⑨.
- You may receive the following notification, select [Next]⑩ to continue the reset process.
- Click [View apps that will be removed]⑪.
- All your applications will be removed after resetting the device. The following apps that cannot be reinstalled from Microsoft Store, so you will need to reinstall these apps from the web or installation discs. Select [Back]⑫ to continue the next step.
- Select [Reset]⑬ to start reinstalling Windows, and your device will restart after the reinstallation is completed.
Note: Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected during the reset process. Also, please do not force to shut down to prevent any issue.
Windows 10 operating system
To provide you more detailed instruction, you can also click ASUS YouTube video link below to know more about How to reset the system and keep my personal files
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2incSlBiBms
- Type and search [Reset this PC]① in the Windows search bar, then click [Open]②.
- Click [Get started]③.
- Select [Keep my files]④.
- Select [Local reinstall]⑤.
Note: If you cannot reinstall Windows via Local reinstall or any errors occurred, you are able to choose Cloud download to reinstall Windows. (Your device needs to be in an available internet environment for Cloud download.)
- Click [Change settings]⑥.
- Set the [Restore apps and settings which came with this PC] option as Yes⑦, then select [Confirm]⑧.
Note: If your device is with built-in Windows 10 operating system, it will remove all ASUS apps and settings that came preinstalled on your device once you set the [Restore apps and settings which came with this PC] option as No.
- Confirm the settings are correct, then select [Next]⑨.
- Click [View apps that will be removed]⑩.
- All your applications will be removed after resetting the device. The following apps that cannot be reinstalled from Microsoft Store, so you will need to reinstall these apps from the web or installation discs. Select [Back]⑪ to continue the next step.
- Select [Reset]⑫ to start reinstalling Windows, and your device will restart after the reinstallation is completed.
Note: Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected during the reset process. Also, please do not force to shut down to prevent any issue.
Method 2: Perform a Windows reinstallation using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
- Please let your device enters Windows Recovery Environment first. Here you can learn more about How to enter Windows Recovery Environment.
- After the device enters Windows Recovery Environment, select [Troubleshoot]①.
- Select [Reset this PC]②.
- Select [Keep my files]③.
- Select your account④.
- Enter the password for this account⑤, then select [Continue]⑥. If you didn’t set up a password for this account, please select Continue directly.
- Select [Local reinstall]⑦.
If you cannot reinstall Windows via Local reinstall or any errors occurred, you are able to choose Cloud download to reinstall Windows. (Your device needs to be in an available internet environment for Cloud download.)
- Select [Reset]⑧ to start reinstalling Windows.
Note: Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected during the reset process. Also, please do not force to shut down to prevent any issue.
Reset the system and remove everything
This is a highly comprehensive reset operation as it will replace the current Windows settings with a fresh setup. User accounts, files, settings, ASUS pre-installed software, and Windows Store applications will be deleted.
This option is designed for users who want to start completely fresh with their device, as it will remove everything and reset the Windows operating system.
Note: If your device was upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, resetting this device will prevent you from reverting to the previous operating system version.
Note: Resetting your device will take a considerable amount of time. During the reset process, your screen may go black for an extended period and your device may restart on its own. Please ensure that your device is plugged in and avoid forcefully shutting it down to prevent any issues that could lead to a failed reset.
To provide you more detailed instruction, you can also click ASUS YouTube video link below to know more about How to reset the system and remove all personal files, apps and settings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2incSlBiBms
Microsoft provides two methods for reinstalling Windows, and you can choose either method to proceed. (Please note that the time required for reinstalling Windows may vary from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the specific model/specifications of your device.)
Method 1: Perform a Windows reinstallation through the reset option in Windows settings
Please refer to the appropriate operating instructions based on the current version of your Windows operating system on your device:
Windows 11 operating system
- Type and search [Reset this PC] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②.
- Click [Reset PC]③ in Reset this PC field.
- Select [Remove everything]④.
- Select [Local reinstall]⑤.
Note: If you cannot reinstall Windows via Local reinstall or any errors occurred, you are able to choose Cloud download to reinstall Windows. (Your device needs to be in an available internet environment for Cloud download.)
- Click [Change settings]⑥.
- Based on your request, select the appropriate settings⑦, then click [Confirm]⑧.
- Confirm the settings, then click [Next]⑨.
- You may receive the following notification, select [Next]⑩ to continue the reset process.
- Click [Reset]⑪ to start reinstalling Windows, and your device will restart after the reinstallation is completed.
Note: Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected during the reset process. Also, please do not force to shut down during the reset process to prevent any issue.
Windows 10 operating system
- Type and search [Reset this PC] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②.
- Click [Get started]③ in Reset this PC section.
- Select [Remove everything]④.
- Click [Change settings]⑤.
- Based on your request, select the appropriate settings⑥, then click [Confirm]⑦.
- Confirm the settings, then click [Next]⑧.
- Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected before resetting the device, otherwise, you will see the notice below.
- Click [Reset]⑨. The device will start to reinstall Windows.
Note: Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected during the reset process. Also, please do not force to shut down during the reset process to prevent any issue.
Method 2: Perform a Windows reinstallation using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
- First, please let your device enters Windows Recovery Environment. Here you can learn more about How to enter Windows Recovery Environment.
- After the device enters Windows Recovery Environment, select [Troubleshoot]①.
- Select [Reset this PC]②.
- Select [Remove everything]③.
- Select [Local reinstall]④.
Note: If you cannot reinstall Windows via Local reinstall or any errors occurred, you are able to choose Cloud download to reinstall Windows. (Your device needs to be in an available internet environment for Cloud download.)
- Based on your request, select the appropriate settings⑤.
- Click [Reset]⑥. The device will start to reinstall Windows.
Note: Please make sure that the AC adapter is connected during the reset process. Also, please do not force to shut down during the reset process to prevent any issue.