What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
To completely wipe a Windows 11 PC, use either Reset PC with Remove everything, or perform a clean installation from a bootable Windows 11 USB drive. Reset PC is simpler when Windows still starts. A USB clean install is the better fallback when Windows will not boot or when you want to remove the existing partition layout.
Before starting, back up files you need, confirm your Windows edition and activation status, and disconnect external drives that you do not want to erase.
Before wiping the PC
A complete wipe removes personal files, installed applications, Windows settings, and, with a clean installation, device-manufacturer customizations. Copy documents, photos, browser data, saved games, password-vault backups, and any other required data to an external drive or cloud storage first.
Also check the current edition so you reinstall the edition covered by the PC’s license:
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- Less chaos, more calm. The refreshed design of Windows 11 enables you to do what you want effortlessly.
- Biometric logins. Encrypted authentication. And, of course, advanced antivirus defenses. Everything you need, plus more, to protect you against the latest cyberthreats.
- Make the most of your screen space with snap layouts, desktops, and seamless redocking.
- Widgets makes staying up-to-date with the content you love and the news you care about, simple.
- Stay in touch with friends and family with Microsoft Teams, which can be seamlessly integrated into your taskbar. (1)
- Right-click Start and select Settings.
- Open System > About.
- Under Windows specifications, note the value next to Edition, such as Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
Windows normally activates automatically after the reinstall when the PC connects to the internet, provided the installed edition matches its digital license. A motherboard replacement or another major hardware change can prevent automatic activation. If the PC is encrypted, keep its BitLocker recovery key available; Windows may request it during reset or recovery.
Choose the right reinstall method
| Situation | Use |
|---|---|
| Windows starts normally and you want the easiest wipe | Reset PC from Settings |
| Windows does not start | Bootable Windows 11 USB installation media |
| You want to remove all existing partitions on the Windows drive | USB clean installation |
| You only want to repair Windows while keeping files and apps | Reinstall now under Windows Update, not Reset PC |
Method 1: Wipe Windows 11 using Reset PC
Use this method when Windows is usable and you do not need to manually manage the disk partitions.
- Open Start > Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, select Reset PC.
- Select Remove everything. This removes personal files, apps, and settings while reinstalling Windows.
- Choose either Cloud download or Local reinstall.
Cloud download or Local reinstall?
Cloud download downloads a fresh copy of Windows and provides the latest version with updates. It requires a reliable internet connection and can use several gigabytes of data.
Local reinstall uses Windows installation files already stored on the PC. It can be faster when the local files are healthy, but the resulting installation may not include the latest updates.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Both options can completely remove your files. Cloud download is not required for a full wipe; the important choice is Remove everything.
Configure the erasure options
When Windows presents additional reset settings, review them carefully. If you are keeping the PC, the normal removal option may be sufficient. If you are selling, donating, or recycling it, enable Clean data when the option is offered. This cleans the drive and makes deleted files harder for another person to recover.
Microsoft warns that this consumer feature does not meet government or industry data-erasure standards. Do not treat it as a certified destruction method for confidential business, legal, medical, or regulated data. For those situations, use an organization-approved data-erasure or physical-destruction process.
Confirm the reset and allow Windows to complete. The display can remain black for more than 15 minutes, and the computer may restart several times. Do not manually shut down or restart the PC during this process. Interrupting it can cause the reset to fail.
When the reset finishes, Windows displays its initial setup wizard. If you are giving the PC to someone else, stop at the setup screen rather than signing in with your own account.
Method 2: Completely wipe the drive and clean-install Windows 11 from USB
A USB clean installation is useful when Windows will not boot, Reset PC fails, or you want to replace the current Windows partition layout. This procedure deletes every partition on the selected Windows disk, so identify the disk carefully.
Step 1: Create Windows 11 installation media
On a working computer, create Windows 11 installation media using Microsoft’s Windows installation-media process. Use a suitable USB flash drive; anything stored on that drive can be erased while the media is created.
Rank #2
- MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11 PRO (INGLES) FPP 64-BIT ENG INTL USB FLASH DRIVE
Leave the USB connected when the media-creation process finishes. If the affected PC cannot start Windows, use another working PC to create the drive.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Step 2: Boot the target PC from the USB drive
Insert the USB into the PC you want to wipe and start or restart it. Open the manufacturer’s boot menu or change the boot order in firmware settings. The key varies by manufacturer, so watch the first screen for a boot-menu instruction. If Windows starts normally instead of Windows Setup, the PC probably booted from its internal drive; restart and select the USB drive manually.
Step 3: Start Windows Setup
- At Select language settings, choose the language and regional settings, then select Next.
- At Select keyboard settings, choose the keyboard layout, then select Next.
- At Select setup option, select Install Windows 11.
- Confirm I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings, then select Next.
Step 4: Handle the product key and edition
If Setup asks for a product key, select I don’t have a product key only when the computer has a valid digital license, a product key linked to your Microsoft account, or a product key embedded in its firmware.
Some PCs skip this page because Setup detects a firmware-embedded key. That is normal.
At Select Image, choose the Windows edition that matches the license and select Next. A Windows 11 Home license does not activate Windows 11 Pro. Installing Pro requires a valid Pro product key or Pro entitlement.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf the PC has no product key, no linked digital license, and no firmware-embedded key, do not continue past the product-key stage. Cancel Setup and establish the Windows license first.
Step 5: Delete the Windows disk partitions
At Select location to install Windows 11, Setup displays disks and partitions. This is the point where the wipe occurs.
- Identify Disk 0, normally the PC’s internal Windows disk.
- Select each partition on Disk 0 individually and select Delete Partition.
- Do not delete partitions on another disk, such as Disk 1. Those may contain files you intend to keep.
- Continue deleting Disk 0 partitions until it contains one entry named Disk 0 Unallocated Space.
- Select Disk 0 Unallocated Space, then select Next.
You do not need Command Prompt or diskpart for Microsoft’s documented clean-install procedure. The Windows Setup screen performs the partition deletion.
Deleting partitions on Disk 0 removes the existing Windows installation, recovery partitions, applications, and files on that disk. If the PC has multiple internal drives, identify them by their size and contents before deleting anything.
Step 6: Install Windows 11
Review the summary at Ready to install, then select Install. The computer restarts several times. Do not boot from the USB again after Setup has copied the installation files; if the PC displays a prompt to boot from USB, leave the prompt alone or remove the USB so Setup continues from the internal drive.
After installation, complete the Windows configuration wizard. Connect to the internet and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the digital license so Windows can apply the license. Windows should activate automatically when the installed edition matches the license.
Rank #3
- STREAMLINED & INTUITIVE UI, DVD FORMAT | Intelligent desktop | Personalize your experience for simpler efficiency | Powerful security built-in and enabled.
- OEM IS TO BE INSTALLED ON A NEW PC with no prior version of Windows installed and cannot be transferred to another machine.
- OEM DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT | To acquire product with Microsoft support, obtain the full packaged “Retail” version.
- PRODUCT SHIPS IN PLAIN ENVELOPE | Activation key is located under scratch-off area on label.
- GENUINE WINDOWS SOFTWARE IS BRANDED BY MIRCOSOFT ONLY.
If Windows 11 will not boot
If you can reach Windows Recovery Environment, Reset PC is also available through the recovery tools. The BitLocker recovery key may be required before Windows allows access to recovery options.
If Windows will not start and you do not have a recovery drive or repair disc, create Windows 11 installation media on another working PC and boot the affected computer from that USB. Then follow the clean-installation steps above.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Do not confuse “Reinstall now” with a wipe
Windows 11 also has a recovery option at Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now.
This reinstalls the same Windows version, repairs system files and components, and preserves personal files, installed apps, and settings. It is useful for repairing Windows, but it is not a complete wipe. The PC must remain connected to power and the internet during the process.
After the clean installation
- Open Settings > System > Activation and confirm that Windows is activated.
- Run Settings > Windows Update and install available updates.
- Check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates for available drivers.
- Install applications only from sources you trust.
- Restore backed-up files after confirming the new installation is working.
If activation fails after connecting to the internet, confirm that the installed edition matches the old edition. If the motherboard was replaced, run the Activation troubleshooter and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the license.
FAQ
Does Remove everything completely wipe a Windows 11 PC?
It removes personal files, apps, and settings and reinstalls Windows. For a PC being sold or given away, enable Clean data when offered. Microsoft says this consumer erasure feature makes recovery harder but does not meet government or industry data-erasure standards.
Is Cloud download required to wipe Windows 11?
No. After selecting Remove everything, you can choose Cloud download or Local reinstall. Cloud download gets a fresh Windows copy; Local reinstall uses files already on the PC. The wipe choice is Remove everything.
Should I delete only the C: drive during a clean install?
No. Microsoft’s clean-install procedure instructs you to delete every partition on Disk 0 until only Disk 0 Unallocated Space remains. Do not delete partitions on other disks, such as Disk 1.
Will Windows 11 activate after a clean install?
Usually, yes, when the computer has a valid digital license or firmware key and you install the matching edition. Connect to the internet after installation. A major hardware change, such as a motherboard replacement, can require the Activation troubleshooter.
Do I need a Windows 11 product key?
Not always. Setup can use a firmware-embedded key or a matching digital license. You can select I don’t have a product key when one of those valid activation methods applies. If no key or license exists, stop at that screen and resolve licensing before continuing.
What happens if the screen stays black during Reset PC?
The reset can leave the screen black for more than 15 minutes and may restart several times. Do not manually power off or restart the computer during this period, because interrupting the process can make the reset fail.
The Bottom Line
For a working PC, open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC, choose Remove everything, and select Cloud download or Local reinstall. For an unbootable PC or a more thorough partition-level reinstall, boot from Windows 11 USB media, delete every partition on Disk 0, select Disk 0 Unallocated Space, and install the edition that matches the PC’s license.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
