CFConfirmFixReset This PC Not Working · Windows 11
Recovery playbook · Windows 11 · Updated Oct 12, 2026

How to Fix “Reset This PC” Not Working in Windows 11

It says “No changes were made”, can't find the recovery environment, reports a missing partition, loops back to sign-in or hangs for hours. This playbook explains why that happens, matches your exact message to the right fix, and takes you from a 2-minute check up to a repair install, in the order that protects your files best.

12 detailed fixesInteractive fix finderProgress tracker~15 min read
Find my fix → Read the quick answer
Most common causeWindows Recovery Environment (WinRE) disabled or damaged
Fastest fixreagentc /enable in about 2 minutes
Safest big stepIn-place repair install keeps files and apps
Data riskNone until you pick Remove everything or format
Windows 11 Reset this PC recovery screen showing an error while resetting
01

Quick Answer

✅
The short version

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run reagentc /info. If WinRE is Disabled, run reagentc /disable then reagentc /enable, restart and try again. If the reset still fails, repair system files with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and sfc /scannow, start the reset from Advanced startup instead of Settings, and switch between Local reinstall and Cloud download. If it still fails, an in-place repair install keeps your files and apps and usually fixes the cause.

  1. Back up and keep the charger connected (Fix 1).
  2. Enable WinRE with reagentc (Fix 2).
  3. Repair files with DISM and SFC (Fix 3).
  4. Unlock BitLocker if the drive is locked (Fix 4).
  5. Reset from the recovery screen, trying Local then Cloud (Fix 7 and 8).
  6. Repair install, then clean install only if you must (Fix 11 and 12).
02

Find Your Fix in 10 Seconds

Pick what you see. You get an ordered list of fixes to try, and each link opens the fix below.

What happens when you run Reset this PC?
03

How Reset This PC Works (and Where It Breaks)

Knowing the five stages makes every error message easier to read.

StartSettings checks that recovery is available and the drive has room.No recovery environment
Restart into WinREWindows reboots into the recovery environment. An encrypted drive must be unlocked.Drive is locked
Stage filesReset scans partitions and prepares files in a staging folder on the Windows drive.Partition missing
ReinstallA fresh Windows is built from local files or downloaded from the cloud.No changes were made
FinishFiles are kept or removed, settings are set up and the PC reaches setup.Loop or rollback
💡
Why this matters

The stage where it fails tells you where to look. A failure in stage 1 is a WinRE problem, stage 2 is a lock or BitLocker issue, stage 3 is partitions or space, and stages 4 and 5 are usually damaged files, downloads or blockers.

04

Error Message Decoder

Message or behaviourWhat it usually meansGo to
“Could not find the recovery environment”WinRE is disabled, or its image or recovery partition is missingFix 2, Fix 10
“There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.”Generic abort from damaged files, blockers or low spaceFix 3, Fix 6, Fix 7
“A required drive partition is missing”Unusual partition layout, extra drives or damaged system partitionsFix 5, Fix 11
“The system cannot find the drive specified”Recovery or boot partition cannot be locatedFix 5, Fix 2
“The drive where Windows is installed is locked”BitLocker or device encryption is lockedFix 4
Restarts, then back at the sign-in screenReset failed and rolled backFix 10, Fix 6, Fix 7
Stuck at a percentage or black screen for hoursSlow disk, stalled download or a blockerFix 8, see While It’s Running
Cloud download failsNetwork, proxy, VPN or server problemFix 8
Reset button missing or greyed outPolicy, recovery config or edition limitsSection 08, Fix 7
05

Before You Start Checklist

Tick items as you go. Your ticks are saved in this browser.

06

The Escalation Ladder

Move down the ladder only when the step above did not work. Green steps are low risk, amber steps change more, red steps erase data.

  1. Prepare: back up, power, space, keys⏱ 10–20 minData risk: None
  2. Check and enable Windows RE⏱ 2–5 minData risk: None
  3. Repair system files (DISM, SFC)⏱ 20–40 minData risk: None
  4. Unlock or suspend BitLocker⏱ 5–10 minData risk: None
  5. Free space and check partitions⏱ 10–20 minData risk: None
  6. Remove blockers and clean boot⏱ 15–30 minData risk: None
  7. Reset from the recovery screen⏱ 15 min +Data risk: Medium
  8. Switch Local / Cloud, Keep / Remove⏱ 5 min +Data risk: Medium
  9. Use System Restore⏱ 15–30 minData risk: Low
  10. Read the log, rebuild WinRE⏱ 30–60 minData risk: Low
  11. In-place repair install⏱ 45–90 minData risk: Low
  12. Clean install from USB⏱ 60–120 minData risk: High
07

The 12 Fixes in Detail

Each fix shows when to use it, why it works, the exact steps and commands, what success looks like and what to do if it fails.

Progress: 0/12
01Prepare first: back up, power, space and keysData risk: None⏱ 10–20 minAlways do this first
Use this whenBefore any reset, repair or reinstall — even if you only plan a simple test.
Why it worksA reset that fails halfway can leave Windows harder to recover. A backup and a few checks remove most of the risk and several common failure causes.
  1. Back up what matters. Copy Documents, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures, browser bookmarks, game saves and app licence keys to an external drive or cloud storage. Do not rely on the reset to keep everything.
  2. Keep the laptop powered. Plug in the charger and leave it connected for the whole process. A battery that dies mid-reset is a classic cause of damaged installs.
  3. Check free space. Open Settings → System → Storage. Reset stages files on the Windows drive, so give it comfortable headroom (20 GB or more free is a safe target).
  4. Find your BitLocker or device encryption key. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey with the Microsoft account used on the PC and copy the key somewhere safe. A work or school PC may keep it with IT.
  5. Remove extras. Unplug USB drives, SD cards, docks, printers and second monitors. Extra drives can confuse the reset about where Windows lives.
  6. Note your Wi-Fi password if you plan to use Cloud download, and make sure you know your Microsoft account password.
💡
Windows will not start at all?

Copy your files from recovery instead: open Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt, run notepad, choose File → Open, set the type to All files, browse to your user folders and copy files to a USB drive. Or move the SSD into a USB enclosure and read it from another PC.

🎯What success looks like: You have a verified copy of your files, the charger is connected, free space is healthy and the recovery key is saved.
↪️If it fails: If you cannot make a backup because Windows is unreachable, use the recovery method in the note above before you continue.
02Check and enable Windows RE (reagentc)Data risk: None⏱ 2–5 minMost common cause
Use this whenYou see “Could not find the recovery environment”, or Reset this PC fails right after you click it.
Why it worksReset runs from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), a small recovery system stored in a file called winre.wim. If WinRE is disabled, Windows cannot boot into it to perform the reset.
  1. Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Run reagentc /info and read the line Windows RE status.
  3. If it says Disabled, run reagentc /disable, wait a few seconds, then run reagentc /enable.
  4. Run reagentc /info again. The status should now be Enabled and Windows RE location should show a path on a harddisk partition.
  5. Restart the PC and try Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC again.
Command Prompt (Admin)
reagentc /info
reagentc /disable
reagentc /enable
  • reagentc /info — shows whether WinRE is enabled and where its image is stored
  • reagentc /disable — unregisters the current WinRE setup
  • reagentc /enable — registers WinRE again and points Windows at the image
🎯What success looks like: Windows RE status: Enabled with a location such as ...\harddisk0\partition4\Recovery\WindowsRE.
↪️If it fails: If reagentc /enable says the Windows RE image was not found, the winre.wim file is missing. Go to Fix 10 to rebuild it.
03Repair system files with DISM, SFC and chkdskData risk: None⏱ 20–40 minDamaged Windows files
Use this whenYou get “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.”, or Windows has crashed, lost power or failed updates recently.
Why it worksReset reads Windows system files and the component store. Corruption there makes it abort early, and DISM and SFC repair those files without touching your data.
  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Run the DISM command first. It can sit at 20% or 62% for a while. That is normal, so let it finish.
  3. Run the SFC command next, and wait for the result message.
  4. Run the online disk scan, then restart and try Reset this PC again.
Command Prompt (Admin)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
chkdsk C: /scan
  • DISM … /RestoreHealth — repairs the Windows component store using Windows Update
  • sfc /scannow — checks protected system files and replaces damaged ones
  • chkdsk C: /scan — scans the drive for file system errors without taking it offline

If DISM cannot find source files

Mount a Windows ISO of the same version and use it as the repair source. Replace D: with the mounted drive letter and 1 with the index of your edition:

Command Prompt (Admin)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:D:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess
  • /Source — tells DISM to use the files in the ISO instead of Windows Update
  • /LimitAccess — stops DISM from contacting Windows Update
🎯What success looks like: SFC reports that it found no integrity violations, or that it repaired corrupt files. DISM ends with The restore operation completed successfully.
↪️If it fails: If SFC says it found files it could not repair, run it again after DISM, then move on to Fix 11 (repair install), which replaces system files while keeping your data.
04Unlock or suspend BitLockerData risk: None⏱ 5–10 min“Drive is locked”
Use this whenYou see “The drive where Windows is installed is locked”, recovery asks for a key, or you use device encryption.
Why it worksWhen the Windows drive is encrypted, reset cannot read or rebuild it until the drive is unlocked. The recovery key unlocks it, and suspending protection lets the reset pass without prompts.
  1. Option A: use the key. When the recovery screen asks for the BitLocker key, type the 48-digit key from your Microsoft account.
  2. Option B: unlock from recovery. In Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt, check the drive status and unlock it with your key.
  3. Option C: suspend protection from Windows. In Command Prompt (Admin), suspend BitLocker, restart and run the reset. Turn protection back on afterwards.
  4. Do not decrypt the whole drive unless you must. It is slow and is not required for reset.
Command Prompt
manage-bde -status
manage-bde -unlock C: -RecoveryPassword 123456-123456-123456-123456-123456-123456-123456-123456
manage-bde -protectors -disable C:
manage-bde -protectors -enable C:
  • manage-bde -status — shows lock status and protection status
  • -unlock … -RecoveryPassword — unlocks the drive with your 48-digit key (replace the sample numbers)
  • -protectors -disable C: — suspends protection for the next restart
  • -protectors -enable C: — turns protection back on after the reset
⚠️
Replace the sample key

The long number above is only an example. Use your own key, and in recovery check the drive letter first because Windows may not be on C:.

🎯What success looks like: Lock Status: Unlocked, or Protection Status: Protection Off while suspended, and the reset starts without a key prompt.
↪️If it fails: If you cannot find the key, check every Microsoft account you use, a printed copy, or your IT department. Without it, an encrypted drive cannot be reset or read.
05Free disk space and check the partition layoutData risk: None⏱ 10–20 min“Required drive partition is missing”
Use this whenYou see “A required drive partition is missing” or “The system cannot find the drive specified”, or the drive is nearly full.
Why it worksReset expects a normal layout: an EFI system partition, the Windows drive and usually a recovery partition. A gap, a missing partition, or a cloned multi-drive setup breaks that expectation.
  1. Clear space with Settings → System → Storage → Temporary files, or run cleanmgr. Aim for generous free space.
  2. Open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) and look at the disk that holds Windows. You should see an EFI System Partition, your C: drive and typically a Recovery Partition.
  3. If you have more than one internal drive, shut down, disconnect the secondary drives and try again. After cloning or upgrading a drive, Windows boot files can end up on a different disk.
  4. Do not delete or shrink small system partitions to gain space. That makes the problem worse.
  5. If the layout looks broken or the recovery partition is missing, continue with Fix 10 or Fix 11.
Command Prompt (Admin)
diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition
exit
  • list disk — shows every connected drive
  • select disk 0 — picks the first drive (use the number of your Windows drive)
  • list partition — lists the partitions so you can spot missing system or recovery partitions
🎯What success looks like: A normal layout, healthy free space and one Windows drive connected. Reset no longer complains about partitions.
↪️If it fails: A damaged or unusual layout is usually repaired with a repair install (Fix 11) or fixed by a clean install (Fix 12) after backup.
06Remove blockers: pending updates, antivirus and toolsData risk: None⏱ 15–30 minReset starts, then rolls back
Use this whenReset restarts the PC, then returns you to the sign-in screen, or ends with “No changes were made.”
Why it worksPending updates, third-party security suites, disk tools and optimizers can interfere with the files and drivers reset needs. Removing them for the test shows whether they are the cause.
  1. Open Settings → Windows Update, install pending updates and restart until nothing is waiting.
  2. Temporarily uninstall third-party antivirus or security suites, disk encryption or partition tools, cloning utilities, PC optimizers and VPN clients.
  3. Try a clean boot: press Windows + R, run msconfig, tick Hide all Microsoft services on the Services tab, click Disable all, restart and try the reset.
  4. Afterwards, undo the clean boot by choosing Normal startup in msconfig, and reinstall the tools you need.
🎯What success looks like: Reset gets past the first restart and shows progress without rolling back.
↪️If it fails: Try the recovery-screen route in Fix 7, which loads far fewer components.
07Run Reset from the recovery screen (Advanced startup)Data risk: Medium⏱ 15 min + reset timeSettings route fails
Use this whenReset does nothing, errors, or fails when started from inside Windows Settings.
Why it worksStarting from the recovery environment avoids most Windows-side blockers because far fewer drivers and apps are loaded. It is the same reset, started from a cleaner place.
  1. Open Settings → System → Recovery and next to Advanced startup click Restart now. Or hold Shift while clicking Restart.
  2. If Windows will not load, turn the PC on and force it off at the logo two or three times until recovery opens.
  3. Choose Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
  4. Choose Keep my files to keep documents (apps and settings are removed), or Remove everything after a backup.
  5. Choose Local reinstall first, and follow the prompts. Leave the PC plugged in and do not interrupt it.
💡
Does Keep my files remove apps?

Yes. Keep my files keeps personal files but removes installed apps and resets settings. Windows leaves a list of removed apps on the desktop so you can reinstall them.

🎯What success looks like: A progress screen with percentages appears and the PC restarts a few times before reaching setup.
↪️If it fails: If it fails here too, read the log (Fix 10) and consider a repair install (Fix 11).
08Switch reset options: Local vs Cloud, Keep vs RemoveData risk: Medium⏱ 5 min + reset timeCloud or Keep my files fails
Use this whenCloud download fails, a reset stalls early, or Keep my files fails but you can back up your data.
Why it worksLocal reinstall uses files already on the PC, while Cloud download fetches a fresh copy. If one source is damaged or unreachable, the other can succeed. Remove everything can also succeed where Keep my files fails, because it does not have to preserve a damaged profile.
  1. Cloud download failing? Choose Local reinstall. Check your connection, disable VPN or proxy and try Ethernet.
  2. Local reinstall failing? Choose Cloud download on a stable, preferably wired connection. It needs several gigabytes of data.
  3. Keep my files failing? After a verified backup, try Remove everything.
  4. Open Change settings (or Additional settings) and leave Clean data off unless you are giving the PC away, since it takes much longer.
⚠️
Remove everything erases your files

Only choose it with a verified backup. It deletes documents, apps and settings on the Windows drive.

🎯What success looks like: The reset passes the early download or preparation stage and continues.
↪️If it fails: If both Local and Cloud fail, go to the repair install in Fix 11.
09Use System RestoreData risk: Low⏱ 15–30 minStarted after a recent change
Use this whenThe problem began after a driver, update or software install, and a restore point exists.
Why it worksSystem Restore rolls Windows files, drivers and the registry back to a working point without deleting your documents.
  1. Press Windows + R, run rstrui, or open Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore.
  2. Click Next and choose a restore point from before the problem began. Click Scan for affected programs to see what will change.
  3. Click Next → Finish and let the PC restart.
  4. After it completes, try Reset this PC again.
Run dialog (Windows + R)
rstrui
  • rstrui — opens the System Restore wizard
🎯What success looks like: Windows boots with a message that the restoration completed successfully.
↪️If it fails: If no restore points exist, System Protection was off. Continue with Fix 10 or Fix 11.
10Read the reset log and rebuild the WinRE image (advanced)Data risk: Low⏱ 30–60 minAdvanced users
Use this whenYou still get failures, reagentc /enable says the image was not found, or you want to know the exact reason a reset fails.
Why it worksThe reset log names the step that failed. If winre.wim is missing, you can restore it from a Windows ISO of the same version and register it again.

Part A: read the log

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) after a failed attempt.
  2. Open the log in Notepad and search for error, failed or an 0x code. Search that code on Microsoft's site.
Command Prompt (Admin)
notepad C:\$SysReset\Logs\setupact.log
  • C:\$SysReset\Logs — where Reset this PC writes its log (the folder exists only after an attempt)

Part B: rebuild winre.wim

Download a Windows 11 ISO that matches your version and language from Microsoft, then right-click it and choose Mount. Replace D: with the mounted drive and 1 with your edition index.

Command Prompt (Admin)
md C:\mount
dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:D:\sources\install.wim
dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:D:\sources\install.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:C:\mount /ReadOnly
md C:\Windows\System32\Recovery
copy C:\mount\Windows\System32\Recovery\Winre.wim C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\Winre.wim
dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:C:\mount /Discard
reagentc /setreimage /path C:\Windows\System32\Recovery /target C:\Windows
reagentc /enable
reagentc /info
  • /Get-WimInfo — lists editions inside the ISO so you can pick the right index
  • /Mount-Image … /ReadOnly — opens the image without changing it
  • copy …Winre.wim — copies the recovery image to your PC
  • reagentc /setreimage — tells Windows where the image is
  • reagentc /enable — turns WinRE on
⚠️
Advanced step

The ISO must match your Windows version and architecture. If your ISO contains install.esd instead of install.wim, download an ISO that includes install.wim. If you are not comfortable with these commands, skip to Fix 11.

🎯What success looks like: reagentc /info shows Enabled, and the log (if you read it) points to the step that failed.
↪️If it fails: Go to Fix 11. A repair install replaces Windows system files, including recovery components, while keeping your data.
11Do an in-place repair install (keeps files and apps)Data risk: Low⏱ 45–90 minBest last repair before clean install
Use this whenNothing so far worked, but Windows still starts and you want to keep your files and apps.
Why it worksA repair install reinstalls Windows on top of itself. It replaces damaged system files, the component store and recovery components without removing your data, so Reset this PC often works afterwards.
  1. Download a Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft that matches your language and architecture and is the same version as, or newer than, the one you run. Check yours with winver.
  2. Right-click the ISO and choose Mount. Open the mounted drive and run setup.exe from inside Windows.
  3. On the first screen you can choose Change how Setup downloads updates. Choose Not right now if updates have caused trouble before.
  4. Accept the terms. On the Ready to install screen make sure it says Keep personal files and apps. If it says Keep nothing, cancel and download the correct ISO.
  5. Click Install and let the PC restart several times. Keep it plugged in.
  6. When you reach the desktop, install updates and test Reset this PC again.
💡
On newer builds

Some Windows 11 versions have Settings → System → Recovery → Fix problems using Windows Update → Reinstall now, which does a similar repair without an ISO. If you see it, you can try it first.

🎯What success looks like: Windows loads with your apps and files intact, and Reset this PC opens and runs normally.
↪️If it fails: If setup will not run or cannot keep files, back up and go to the clean install in Fix 12.
12Clean install Windows from a USB (last resort)Data risk: High⏱ 60–120 minEverything else failed
Use this whenThe repair install is not possible, the layout is broken, or the PC is too damaged to repair.
Why it worksA clean install writes a fresh Windows to the drive. It cannot be blocked by damaged recovery files or partitions, but it erases whatever you format or delete.
  1. Back up everything first (see Fix 1). Have your BitLocker key, Wi-Fi password and Microsoft account details ready.
  2. On another PC, use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 11 USB (8 GB or larger). It erases the USB drive.
  3. Boot the problem PC from the USB using the boot menu key for your brand (often F12, F9, Esc or F11).
  4. Choose language, click Install now. If asked for a product key and the PC had Windows before, choose I don't have a product key and pick the same edition (Home or Pro) as before. Activation is usually automatic once online.
  5. Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
  6. Select the Windows partition and click Next. Deleting a partition erases everything on it, so be certain before you do it.
  7. After setup, install updates and your laptop maker's drivers, then restore your files.
⚠️
Windows 11 requirements

Windows 11 needs a supported processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot capability and enough memory and storage. If the installer complains, check the compatibility of your PC before continuing.

🎯What success looks like: A fresh Windows desktop. Reset this PC will work normally the next time you need it.
↪️If it fails: If the clean install also fails or the drive is not found, the drive or other hardware is faulty. Run your laptop maker's diagnostics and contact support.
08

Reset Option Missing or Greyed Out

If Settings → System → Recovery has no Reset this PC button, or it does nothing, work through these checks:

  1. Use the recovery-screen route. Choose Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC (Fix 7). It does not depend on the Settings button.
  2. Check WinRE. Run reagentc /info and enable it if needed (Fix 2).
  3. Check management. On a work or school PC, an administrator may disable reset or require a different process. Ask IT before changing anything.
  4. Check the edition and mode. Some editions and modes limit options. Make sure you are signed in as an administrator.
  5. Repair Windows. Run DISM and SFC (Fix 3), then try a repair install (Fix 11).
09

Reset Options Compared

Pick the gentlest option that solves your problem.

OptionApps and settingsPersonal filesInternet neededBest when
Keep my files + Local reinstallRemovedKeptNoFixing Windows without losing documents
Keep my files + Cloud downloadRemovedKeptYes, several GBLocal files are damaged
Remove everything + Local reinstallRemovedDeletedNoSelling or starting fresh after a backup
Remove everything + Cloud downloadRemovedDeletedYes, several GBFresh start with a clean download
Remove everything + Clean dataRemovedDeleted and wipedDependsGiving the PC away (takes much longer)
In-place repair installKeptKeptOptionalWindows is damaged but still starts
Clean install from USBDeleted on the formatted partitionDeleted on the formatted partitionOptionalNothing else worked, after a full backup
10

While It’s Running: What Is Normal

Timings vary with your drive, options and connection, so use these as general guidance.

What you seeNormal?What to do
Percentage unchanged for a long whileOften normalWait. Check for fan or drive activity.
Several restarts and a black screen with spinning dotsNormalDo not interrupt it.
Loud fans and a warm laptopNormalKeep it plugged in and ventilated.
No change and no drive activity for several hoursLikely stalledKeep the charger connected, restart once, let Windows roll back, then use Fix 3, 6, 7 and 8.
“Restoring your previous version of Windows”The reset failed and rolled backRead the log (Fix 10) and try a different option (Fix 8).
⚠️
Avoid repeated force shutdowns

Each force shutdown risks more file damage. Wait first, then restart once if you are sure it has stalled.

11

After the Reset Checklist

12

Do’s and Don’ts

✅ Do

  • Back up before every risky step
  • Keep the charger connected
  • Read the exact error message first
  • Try the gentle fixes before the heavy ones
  • Save your BitLocker key
  • Change one thing at a time

🚫 Don’t

  • Choose Remove everything without a backup
  • Delete recovery or system partitions to free space
  • Force the PC off repeatedly during a reset
  • Run “reset fixer” tools from random sites
  • Leave BitLocker keys unsaved
  • Skip DISM and SFC
13

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Reset this PC not working in Windows 11?
Usually the Windows Recovery Environment is disabled or damaged, system files are corrupted, the partition layout is unusual, BitLocker has locked the drive, or something such as a pending update or security software interferes. The error message tells you which.
What does “Could not find the recovery environment” mean?
Windows RE, the recovery system Reset needs, is disabled or its image is missing. Run reagentc /info in Command Prompt (Admin). If it says Disabled, run reagentc /disable and reagentc /enable. If the image is not found, rebuild it as shown in Fix 10 or do a repair install.
Will fixing Reset this PC delete my files?
The fixes before the reset, such as enabling WinRE, repairing files, unlocking BitLocker and System Restore, do not delete your documents. The reset itself deletes files only if you choose Remove everything, and a clean install deletes whatever you format. Always back up first.
What is the difference between Keep my files and Remove everything?
Keep my files keeps personal files but removes apps and resets settings. Remove everything deletes personal files, apps and settings. Both reinstall Windows. Choose Remove everything only after a backup.
What is the difference between Cloud download and Local reinstall?
Cloud download gets a fresh copy of Windows over the internet and needs a stable connection and several gigabytes of data. Local reinstall rebuilds Windows from files already on the PC. If one fails, try the other.
How long does Reset this PC take?
It varies with the options, drive speed and connection. A local reinstall that keeps files often takes under an hour or two, while Remove everything with Clean data or a slow download can take much longer. The PC restarts several times.
Reset this PC is stuck at a percentage. What should I do?
Percentages can sit still for a long time. Keep the PC plugged in and wait, and watch for fan or drive activity. If there is no activity for several hours, restart once, let Windows roll back, and then work through Fix 3, 6, 7 and 8.
How do I find my BitLocker recovery key?
Sign in at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey with the Microsoft account used on the PC. Work or school PCs may store it with IT. Without it, an encrypted drive cannot be reset or read.
What is the difference between a repair install and a reset?
A repair install reinstalls Windows over itself and keeps your files and apps. A reset reinstalls Windows and removes apps and, optionally, your files. A repair install is a gentler way to fix a damaged Windows.
Is it safe to run reagentc commands?
Yes. reagentc /info only reads the status, and disabling then enabling WinRE re-registers the recovery environment. They do not touch your files. Run them in Command Prompt as administrator.
Why is the Reset this PC button missing or greyed out?
It can be hidden by work or school management policies, a damaged recovery configuration, or Windows editions with limits. Try the Advanced startup route, check reagentc /info, and ask IT if the PC is managed.
Can I reset Windows 11 without the settings page?
Yes. Use Shift + Restart, or force the PC off at the logo two or three times to open recovery, then choose Troubleshoot and Reset this PC. A Windows installation USB also gives you recovery tools.
Should I clean install instead of resetting?
Only if the repair options fail or the layout is broken. A clean install erases what you format, so it needs a full backup. A repair install keeps your data and is usually worth trying first.
When is it a hardware problem?
If the drive is not detected, diagnostics report errors, or a clean install fails or stops, suspect the drive, memory or another hardware part. Run your laptop maker's diagnostics and consider professional repair.

Bottom line

Most “Reset this PC” failures come down to a disabled recovery environment, damaged system files, a locked drive or a broken partition layout. Enable WinRE, repair files, unlock BitLocker, start the reset from the recovery screen and switch between Local and Cloud. If those fail, a repair install keeps your files and apps and fixes most remaining cases. Use a clean install only after a full backup.

Back to the fix finder