How to Reformat Windows 11/10 PC/Laptop | Comprehensive Guide

"Hello, I'd like to completely format my PC and subsequently install Windows 11/10 on it. This is my first time undertaking such a process. Below are the steps I intend to take. Could anyone kindly point out anything I might have overlooked? Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated."

Why would you like to reformat your Windows 11/10 PC? Please refer to the appropriate methods for different situations:

Translate the following text into English:
• Reset your PC for reuse (Better performance) - Use Windows Settings and USB recovery drive.
• Sell or donate your computer - Employ data wipe software.

Continue reading to learn how to easily reformat Windows 11/10 and reinstall it.

Main Content:

Preparation Before Reformatting
How to Reformat Your Windows 11/10 Using Automatic Software
How to Reformat Your Windows 11/10 from Settings
How to Reformat Windows 11/10 with a USB Recovery Drive

Preparations Before Reformating

If you're trying to reset your PC for reuse, consider Step 1. If you're selling or donating your computer, apply Step 1 and Step 2 before formatting.

1. Backup your precious data.

Reformatting will completely erase your data, making it impossible for data recovery software to help. You should perform a  hard disk backup using a USB flash drive or another external hard drive.

2. Encrypt SSD (Optional)

If you plan on selling your PC to others in the future, you certainly wouldn't want anyone to retrieve your private photos and files using data recovery software. Encrypting your SSD is the solution, as it prevents files from being recovered.

Steps: Go to Control Panel > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Turn on BitLocker

How to Reformat Your Windows 11/10 with Automated Software

Planning to wipe all your data before selling or donating your PC? Unlike the above two ways to reset your computer, erasing the system disk needs to be operated under a WinPE environment. Don't worry – it's easy to set up with reliable software.

The Partition Master tool can accomplish this reset in two steps – by first creating a bootable disk and then applying the "Wipe Data" feature.

1 - Create a Windows PE bootable disk

Step 1. To create a bootable disk of tools Partition Master, you should prepare a storage media, like a USB drive, flash drive, or a CD/DVD disc. Then, properly connect the drive to your computer.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, and locate the “Bootable Media” feature on the left. Click on it.

Step 3. When the drive is available, you can choose USB or CD/DVD. However, if you don't have a storage device at hand, you can also save the ISO file to a local drive and burn it to a storage medium later. After making your choice, click "Create" to begin.

Review the Warning message and click "Yes".

Step 4. When the process is complete, a pop-up window will ask you to restart your computer from the bootable USB.

• Reboot Now: This means you want to restart the current computer and enter the Bootable Media tool to manage your disk partitions without an operating system.
• Done: This means you do not want to restart the current computer but intend to use the bootable USB drive on a different computer.

Important: To use the bootable drive on a new computer, you'll need to restart the target computer and press F2/F8/Del to enter BIOS, then set the USB boot drive as the first boot disk.

Just hang tight, your computer will automatically boot from the USB startup media and launch into the WinPE desktop tool.

2 - Wipe all data from PC

Here's the translation in American English: We've set up two options for you to wipe data. Pick the one you need.

Option 1. **Wipe Partition**

Translate the following text into English: - Right-click the partition from which you want to erase data, and select "Wipe". - In the new window, set the duration for which you want to wipe your partition, then click "OK". - Click the "Execute 1 Task(s)" button in the bottom right corner, review the changes, and then click "Apply".

Option 2. Wipe Disk

1. Select the HDD/SSD, and right-click to choose "Wipe Disk." 2. Set the number of times to overwrite the data (you can set it up to 10 maximum). Then click "OK." 3. Click "Execute 1 Task(s)" and then click "Apply."

How to Reformat Your Windows 11/10 via Settings

Step 1. Click the Windows icon located in the bottom left corner of the screen. Then, select "Settings."

Step 2. Select "Update & Security".

Step 3. Click on “Recovery” from the left panel.

Step 4. Under the "Reset this PC" section, click "Get started".

Reset PC

Step 5. You'll see the "Reset this PC" window with two options: "Keep my files" and "Remove everything".

If you're planning to reformat Windows 11/10 without losing files, you can opt for "Keep my files." If you're selling your computer or want a complete wipe, choose "Remove everything."

Keep files or remove everything

Step 6. You'll see the "Get things ready" screen.

Step 7. Click "Next".

When your PC is ready to reset, it shows you a list of the apps that will be removed. That list is saved to the desktop, so you can check it after resetting your PC.

Step 8. On the "Ready to reset this PC" screen, click "Reset".

Step 9. Restart your PC.

How to reformat Windows 11/10 using a USB Recovery Drive

If your PC has a boot issue, you can use a USB recovery drive to reset the computer.

Step 1. Connect the USB drive to a healthy PC and format it to exFAT.

Open "This PC" > Right-click and choose "Format..." > Under the "File system" section, select exFAT.

Step 2. Create a Recovery Drive and boot from USB.

• Type "Create a recovery drive" in the search box.

Create a recovery drive

• Select "Back up system files to the recovery drive" > Click "Next".

Create a Recovery Drive - Step 2

Select your USB hard drive under "Available drive(s)" > Choose "Create".

Your USB hard drive will be renamed "RECOVERY".

Step 3. Reset your PC using a USB drive.

Translate the following text into English:
• Restart your PC and press the "Shift" button.
• On the "Choose an option" screen, click "Use a device".
Translation:
• Reboot your PC and press the "Shift" button.
• On the "Choose an option" screen, select "Use a device".

Use a device option

1. Select your USB hard drive. 2. Your Windows will restart from the USB. Choose your keyboard layout, and then click "Troubleshoot" from the menu. 3. Select the "Recover from a drive" option.

Recover from a Drive/USB

Translate "Get Three Ways to Reformat Windows 11/10 PC" into English: "Discover Three Methods to Reinstall Windows 11/10 PC"

Can you reformat or reset your computer in the above three ways?

If you're ready to reset your PC for reuse, you can try Windows settings and a USB recovery drive.

If you want to sell your computer, I recommend using the data wipe tool - tools Partition Master mentioned in Part 1 for a straightforward process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reformatting Windows 11/10 PCs

If you have more questions about reformatting a PC with Windows 11 or Windows 10, follow the questions below and find answers here:

**1. How do I completely reformat my computer?** To completely reformat your computer, follow these general steps: 1. **Backup Data**: Before starting, ensure you back up all important files and documents to an external hard drive or cloud storage. 2. **Create a Bootable Installation Media**: You'll need the installation media for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Download the appropriate ISO file from the official website and create a bootable USB or DVD using software like Rufus (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS). 3. **Boot from Installation Media**: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the relevant key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Delete). Set the boot order to prioritize booting from USB or DVD. 4. **Start the Installation Process**: Save changes and exit the BIOS. The installation media should now boot, and you'll see the setup wizard. Choose your language and other preferences. 5. **Select "Format" or "Erase Disk"**: During the installation process, you'll be prompted to choose a disk for the new operating system. Select the main hard drive, and when given the option, choose to format or erase it. This will delete all data on the drive. 6. **Partition the Drive**: Depending on your needs, you might want to create multiple partitions. Follow the on-screen instructions to allocate space for each partition. 7. **Install the Operating System**: Complete the installation process by following the prompts, agreeing to terms, and creating a user account. 8. **Restore Data and Install Updates**: Once the installation is finished, reconnect your backup and restore your files. Update the operating system and install necessary drivers and applications. Remember that reformatting your computer will erase everything on the hard drive, so make sure to back up your data first. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on your specific computer model and operating system.

Here are the translations for the given languages into English: 1. Create bootable media on your PC using Partition Master tools to a USB drive. 2. Connect the USB to your PC and set it to reboot from the bootable USB. 3. Once your PC boots into Partition Master tools, right-click on the computer disk drives and select 'Wipe'. 4. Set how many times you want to 'reformat' the computer. 5. Click 'OK' and 'Execute Task'.

For Windows novices, reformatting a PC isn't easy. You have to understand and be clear about which partition you want to format. Or whether you want to keep the operating system or not.

For experienced Windows users, it's indeed easy to reformat a PC via the Windows settings – Reset this PC option.

3. How do I reinstall Windows 10?

Here's a brief guide to reformatting Windows 10 using Windows Settings: 1. **Backup Your Data**: Before starting, ensure you've backed up all important files and data to an external drive or cloud storage, as the process will erase everything. 2. **Open Settings**: Click on the Start menu and select the gear icon to open 'Settings'. 3. **Go to Update & Security**: In the Settings window, navigate to the 'Update & Security' option. 4. **Select Recovery**: On the left panel, click on the 'Recovery' tab. 5. **Click on "Get Started" under Reset this PC**: You'll find this option in the 'Reset this PC' section. Click 'Get Started'. 6. **Choose Between Keep My Files or Remove Everything**: You'll be given two options - 'Keep my files' (which only removes apps and settings) or 'Remove everything' (a more thorough format). Choose according to your needs. 7. **Confirm Your Choice**: A warning will appear, confirming your selection. Read it carefully and if you're sure, click 'Next'. 8. **Select Cloud Download or Local Reinstall**: If you choose 'Remove everything', you'll have the choice to reinstall Windows either from the cloud (will require an internet connection) or from a local Windows image. Select your preference. 9. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions**: The reformat process will begin. Follow the prompts until it's completed. 10. **Reinstall Apps and Restore Data**: Once the reformat is finished, you'll need to reinstall applications and restore your backed-up data. Remember, reformatting is a significant operation, so make sure you've saved everything important before proceeding.

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started. Then select 'Keep my files' > choose cloud or local, change settings, and set 'Restore preinstalled apps?' to NO.