How to Recover Files After Factory Reset on Windows 11 [Latest]

Performing a "Factory Reset," also referred to as "Reset this PC," will erase all data from Windows 11. In Windows 11, this process returns the operating system to its original factory settings, just like when you first purchased your computer. Prior to the reset, all personal files, applications, settings, and updates on the system will be removed. It is strongly recommended that you back up any important data before considering a Factory Reset, to prevent accidental loss. If you choose not to back up your data, it will be permanently deleted during the reset and cannot be recovered.

Are you about to perform a factory reset on Windows 11? Or are you in the process of resetting Windows 11 to factory settings? It's crucial to know whether a "factory reset deletes everything" or not. Actually, you can decide whether to remove files, as when you reset Windows 11 with the "Reset this PC" option, you're given a choice.

If you choose “Keep my files,” Windows will uninstall apps and reset settings. If you choose “Remove everything,” you'll need to restore your files after a factory reset of Windows 11. All personal files, including family photos, downloaded movies, emails, music, and other work documents, will be deleted.

While a factory reset of Windows 11 will lose you data, there are many ways you can still benefit from a factory reset on Windows 11:

After learning about the advantages of resetting Windows 11, we will provide you with three methods to recover files after factory reset Windows 11.

Method 1: Recover Files After a Windows 11 Factory Reset Using Data Recovery Software After performing a factory reset on Windows 11, you might lose important personal files. In this situation, you can use data recovery software to attempt to retrieve them. Here are the steps to recover files using data recovery software: 1. **Select a Suitable Software**: First, find a reliable data recovery tool, such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Disk Drill. Ensure the software is compatible with Windows 11. 2. **Download and Install**: Visit the official website of the chosen software, download the latest version, and install it on your computer according to the instructions. Avoid installing the software on the same hard drive partition that was reset to prevent overwriting lost files. 3. **Run the Software**: Launch the data recovery software; you will typically see a user-friendly interface. 4. **Choose the Scan Location**: Within the software, select the hard drive partition where you want to recover your files. If the files were originally on the desktop, documents, pictures, or other specific folders, choose the corresponding partition. 5. **Start the Scan**: Click "Scan" or a similar button, and the software will commence a comprehensive search for lost files. This may take some time depending on the size of the hard drive and the number of files. 6. **Preview and Recover Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display the found files. You can preview certain types of files like images and documents to confirm their recoverability. Then, select the files you wish to recover, click the "Recover" button, and save them to a secure location (not the original partition). Please note that data recovery is not always 100% successful, especially after a factory reset. Therefore, it's crucial to back up important files regularly to avoid accidental loss.

If you chose to delete all content during the factory reset, you won't find anything in the Recycle Bin on your Windows 11 or desktop. Using professional data recovery software after a factory reset is the best solution to get back all your lost data.

The software you choose should be capable of recovering documents, photos, and other files from internal hard drives. Data Recovery Wizard is a professional recovery tool that can address most data loss scenarios. Please refer to the information below for more details on its recovery capabilities:

You can easily get the free trial by clicking the download button, and the software is absolutely safe. If you're concerned about security, then the following information might help you understand more about the Data Recovery Wizard tool.

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It's a user-friendly recovery tool that most Windows users will find accessible. You don't have to be a data recovery expert – we'll provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to use the Data Recovery Wizard to get your files back.

Step one: choose a location and start scanning.

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard, and hover over the partition/drive where the deleted files were stored. Click “Scan” to look for lost files.

Step 2: Choose the files you want to recover

Once the scan is finished, select the deleted files you want to recover. You can click on the Filter to display only the file types you need. If you remember the name of the file, type it in the “Search for files or folders” box – this is the quickest way to find your target file.

Select the files to recover

Step 3: Preview and recover the deleted files

Preview the recoverable files, select the ones you want to restore, and click “Recover” to save them to a new location instead of the disk where the data was lost.

Have you managed to recover your data using a data recovery tool? If you found the tool effective, feel free to share it with other Windows 11 users through the sharing buttons below.

Method 2: How to Use File History to Restore Your Files After a Factory Reset

If you backed up Windows 11 before resetting it, you can connect the backup drive and restore your files quickly. Alternatively, you can use File History to recover missing files. Follow these steps to restore your files after resetting Windows 11, which also works for recovering files after reinstalling Windows.

Step 1: Click the Windows search bar in the taskbar, type “File History,” and select the best match.

Click Restore My Files on the left.

Step 3: You will see all the recoverable files and folders in the File History window. Select the files you want to restore and click the “Restore” button.

You might also want to know how to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11:

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How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 11 [Top 3 Methods]

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Method 3: Recover Files After a Windows 11 Factory Reset Using Data Recovery Services If you didn't back up your files beforehand but regret losing important ones after a factory reset, you can try using professional data recovery services to retrieve them. Here are some well-known data recovery tools: 1. **tools Data Recovery Wizard**: This is a powerful data recovery software that helps restore lost files from various storage devices. Follow these steps: - Download and install tools Data Recovery Wizard. - Run the software and select the system drive that was reset in Windows 11. - Click "Scan" to initiate a comprehensive search for lost files. - After scanning, preview and choose the files you want to recover. - Click "Recover" to save the files to a secure location. 2. **Recuva**: Another free and popular data recovery tool for Windows users: - Download and install Recuva. - Launch the program, select the file type and location (the system drive after the factory reset). - Start a deep scan to locate missing files. - Once found, select the files and click "Recover" to save them to another safe storage location. Please note that data recovery isn't always 100% successful, especially if new data has been written to the disk. Therefore, use these tools as soon as possible and avoid saving new data on the hard drive where the lost files were stored.

Hopefully, one of the two methods provided helped you recover your files. If you're dealing with hard drive issues or unable to recover your files, it's best to reach out to the tool's data recovery service. With the professional assistance of the tool's engineering team, most computer issues can be resolved without losing your data.

When you opt to have a data recovery team handle this issue, retrieving files after a Windows reset becomes much simpler. All you need to do now is cease using your computer or laptop and avoid writing any new data to the storage device. You can click on the following link to get in touch with our Data Recovery Service team, who are available 24/7 to assist you.

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Hard Drive Repair Service

Contact our experts for a free evaluation.

Consult with our Data Recovery Specialists for one-on-one manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we can offer the following:

• Repair of damaged RAID structures, unbootable Windows OS, and corrupted virtual disk files
• Recovery/repair of lost partitions and repartitioned drives
• Unformat hard drives and fix RAW drives (including Bitlocker encrypted drives)
• Repair disks that have become GPT protected partitions

How to avoid data loss when performing a Windows 11 system restore? Ensuring the safety of your data is crucial when resetting your Windows 11 to its factory settings (also known as system restore). Here are the steps to prevent data loss: 1. **Backup important files:** Before making any system changes, it's essential to back up your personal files. You can use an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox to store your photos, documents, music, and videos. 2. **Create a system image:** If you have the time and space, create a system image. This will save your current system state, including installed programs and settings. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup" > "Create a system image." 3. **Uninstall unnecessary apps:** Remove apps you no longer need before resetting. This will reduce the time during the recovery process and may prevent some app data loss. 4. **Document important settings:** Note any customizations you've made in the system so you can reapply them after the reset. 5. **Backup hardware drivers:** Get backups of drivers for all hardware devices, such as printers, scanners, etc. These might need to be reinstalled after the reset. 6. **Follow the correct reset process:** In "Settings," choose "Update & Security" > "Recovery" > "Get started," then proceed with the prompts. Make sure to select the appropriate option, like "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." The former retains personal files, while the latter wipes the system entirely. 7. **Be patient:** The reset process may take some time, so ensure your computer has ample battery throughout and is connected to a reliable power source. By following these steps, you can protect your data to the greatest extent during a Windows 11 system restore. Remember, prevention is better than cure, and regularly backing up your data is the best way to prevent loss.

When performing a factory reset on a Windows operating system, there are a few additional tips you should be aware of to prevent data loss:

• Back up your personal files to an external hard drive or cloud storage. We don't recommend creating a backup of Windows 11 on the internal hard drive.
• Store important files on a separate partition of your Windows 11 computer. It's wise to keep your personal files separate from system files.
• Use the "Reset this PC" option to restore Windows 11 to its factory settings. When performing a factory reset, you can choose to "Keep my files."
• Avoid frequent factory resets; explore other solutions to fix Windows issues instead.
• Download reliable data recovery software like Data Recovery Wizard. If you haven't downloaded it yet, get Data Recovery Wizard now by clicking the button below.

The bottom line?

After resetting Windows 11 to factory settings and removing everything from your computer, what should you do? If there were important files on the device, data recovery might be necessary. You can use tools like Data Recovery Wizard, Windows File History, or data recovery services to restore deleted files in Windows 11.

These methods are straightforward, so don't forget to share this useful guide and additional tips on social media to help more users learn how to recover files after a Windows 11 factory reset.

Frequently Asked Questions on Recovering Files After a Windows 11 Factory Reset

The last section will show you more about recovering files after a factory reset on Windows 11:

**1. Can data be recovered after resetting a laptop?**

Yes, it is possible to recover data from a reset laptop. How can you retrieve files from a reset notebook? You can easily restore important data and personal files using professional data recovery software, recent backups, or data recovery services.

**How can I recover my files after a Windows 11 factory reset without software?** Here are some methods to try to retrieve your files after a Windows 11 factory reset without specialized recovery software: 1. **Use File History**: - If you had File History enabled before the reset, connect the external drive with your backups after the restore and recover your files from there. - Open "File Explorer," click on the "View" tab in the top-left, and select "Hidden items" to show hidden files and folders. - Navigate to `C:\Users\Your Username\File History`, and follow on-screen instructions. 2. **Check the Recycle Bin**: - A factory reset might not empty the Recycle Bin, so check if any of your needed files are there. - Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, choose "Restore all items" or select individual files to restore. 3. **Recover from online or cloud storage**: - If you synced your files with services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, log in to your account and download the required files. - Similarly, if these files were synced on another device, you can copy them back from there. 4. **Data recovery tools**: - Try free data recovery tools like Recuva or tools Data Recovery Wizard, which can scan your hard drive for undeleted files and attempt to restore them. - Note that this may not always work, especially after a factory reset. 5. **System Restore Point**: - If you created a System Restore point before resetting, you can attempt to use it to recover your files. However, this will undo system changes, not just the files. - Open "Control Panel" > "System" > "System Protection," then follow the wizard's instructions. Remember that these methods' effectiveness can vary, and not all will guarantee successful file recovery. Always back up important files regularly as a precaution.

If you don't want to download a third-party data recovery program, you can recover files after a factory reset from a File History backup. If you didn't back up your files beforehand, you should download Windows recovery software for assistance.

What should I do if I accidentally erased all data from my Windows 11 computer? If you have deleted important data or wiped your Windows 11 PC's hard drive, here are some potential recovery methods: 1. **Check the Recycle Bin**: First, check the Recycle Bin to see if you can restore deleted files. If you find them, right-click and select "Restore." 2. **Use a Backup**: If you regularly back up your data, you can use Windows' built-in "File History" feature or a third-party backup tool to recover your information. Skip this step if you don't have backups. 3. **Data Recovery Software**: There are various data recovery software options available, such as Recuva or tools Data Recovery Wizard, which can help you attempt to retrieve deleted files. Download and install the appropriate software, then follow the instructions provided. 4. **Professional Assistance**: If none of these methods work, you might need to seek professional data recovery services. These can be expensive but may be able to recover most or all of your data from the hard drive. It's crucial to stop using the affected hard drive immediately to avoid overwriting the deleted files, as this can reduce the chances of successful recovery.

If you wiped your computer and lost important files, try using a data recovery wizard tool to get the files back.

1. Download the data recovery software on your computer and scan the partition or hard drive.
2. Filter files and select all important files to be recovered.
3. Preview files before recovery.

**What does a factory reset do on Windows 11?** Performing a factory reset on Windows 11, also known as a recovery option, rolls back the operating system to its original default state, just like when you first purchased your computer. This process deletes all personal files, apps, settings, and third-party software while preserving or removing (depending on your choice) the Windows 11 system files. Here are some key things a factory reset can accomplish: 1. **Resolve system issues**: If your PC is running slow, encountering errors, or has malware, a reset can clear these problems and restore smooth operation. 2. **Restore to out-of-box settings**: If you're planning to sell, donate, or recycle your computer, a reset returns the device to a clean state for the new user. 3. **Remove personalizations**: This eliminates all customizations, such as desktop backgrounds, themes, account information, etc. 4. **Uninstall applications**: All non-system apps and programs will be removed, leaving only the pre-installed software on the computer. 5. **Address upgrade issues**: If you encounter problems after upgrading to Windows 11, a reset might help resolve them. Before starting the factory reset, it's crucial to back up all important personal files and data, as this process is irreversible. Additionally, depending on your computer model and chosen options, the reset process may take several hours to complete.

Performing a factory reset on Windows 11 can improve your computer's performance and return your settings to default. A factory reset can also fix certain issues with the Windows system.