Summary: The factory reset in Windows 11 is a useful tool when you deal with a malware infection or troubleshoot operating system errors or improve performance. But the disadvantage is the data loss that follows the reset. It doesn’t have to be anymore! This article will help you recover data after Windows 11 factory reset.
Content Table:
- How to factory reset Windows 11?
- Is it possible to recover data after Windows 11 reset?
- How do I recover files after factory resetting Windows 11?
- Tips to follow before resetting PC
How to Factory Reset Windows 11?
Before we learn how to recover files after factory resetting Windows 11, let us look at how you perform a Windows 11 resetting. You can find the instructions below,
- Select Settings in the start menu of Windows 11.
- In the settings window, click on the System tab.
- Find and click on the Recovery option.
- Click on the Reset PC button.
- In the window that pop-up, click on the Keep my files option.
Note: You can choose the Remove Everything option to start using the system as new.
- Then click on the Local Reinstall option.
Note: If you want to download the latest version of Windows 11 then click on the Cloud download option.
- In the next window, you will be warned about the consequences, click on the Next button.
- Wait for the process to complete.
Is it Possible to Recover Data after Windows 11 Reset?
The question before you reset the Windows 11 is “Can you recover data after factory resetting Windows 11?” and the answer is Yes, you can recover any data from your system if the data is not overwritten.
How Do I Recover Files after Factory Resetting Windows 11?
When you reset Windows 11, if you click on the Keep my files option, then you are safe. But if you accidentally choose the Remove Everything option, your system will be wiped clean. This is where you need to resort to data recovery. You can find two options below.
1. Restore Files after Factory Reset Windows 11 Using Backup
You might have heard that regularly backing up your data is a best practice to protect your data. If you have the habit, you are in luck. You can restore the files from the backup.
You can create a backup using the following instructions,
- Open the Control Panel from the start menu.
- Find and click on the Backup and Restore option.
- Click on the Set-up backup option.
- Now select the drive to backup and click on Next.
- Now click on Let Me Choose and click on Next.
- Select the files or folders you want to back up and click on Next.
- Review the settings and click on Save settings and run backup button.
- You can schedule the backup regularly.
Below you can find steps to restore files using the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 11,
- Open the Control Panel from the start menu.
- Find and click on the Backup and Restore option.
- Click on Select another backup to restore files from option.
- In the window that opens, choose the latest backup, and click on the Next button.
- Check the Select all files from this backup box.
- Click on the Next button.
- Choose In the original location option and click on the Restore button.
2. Recover Files from Factory Reset Windows 11 Using Data Recovery Software
Now what if you didn’t have the latest backup or none, you must use a third-party data recovery tool. We recommend you use SFWare Data Recovery software, a user-friendly software that is developed to manage data loss scenarios in multiple storage devices.
Steps to Use SFWare Data Recovery Software
Download and install SFWare Data Recovery software to your system and follow the steps below,
- Launch the software and click on the Recover Drives/Partitions option.
- Now click on the Driver/Partition Recovery option.
- Click on the disk from which you need to recover lost data and click on the Next button.
- Now select the partitions and click on the Next button.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
- Now you will be shown the data in a window with Data View and File Type View options.
- You can preview the quality of recovery by double-clicking on the file.
- If you are satisfied with the result, then save the files.
Tips to Follow Before Resetting PC
You can follow some simple tips to have a relaxing experience after a Windows 11 resetting. Find some of them below,
- Back up your important data.
- List down the applications installed.
- Save the browser data.
- Note the hardware drivers.
- Disable encryptions on drives.
- Deauthorize applications with limited authentication.
Conclusion
Factory resetting in Windows 11 is useful when you need to deal with issues or improve performance. But most of us don’t prefer it, due to the fear of data loss. But now that we learn that it is not the case, you can always recover files after factory resetting Windows 11. You have seen two methods to complete the data recovery.
In the end, we provide some tips to follow to experience a relaxing time after the resetting. Let us know how your experience was resetting your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc. in the comment.