How to Format PC on Windows 11 (Top 2 Ways)

User Case: How Do I Format Windows 11 Before Selling?

If you want to format Windows 11 PC for whatever purpose, then you have come to the right place! This article will provide you with two ways to completely format PC on Windows 11, including using Windows 11 settings and using a third-party software that can completely wipe data! Try it now. Please read on carefully!

How to Format PC on Windows 11 with 2 ways

This guide will walk you through two different methods of how to perform PC format on Windows 11 to its factory settings by keeping your files or erasing everything.

Way 1. Format PC of Windows 11 with Windows Settings

To reset a Windows 11 laptop or desktop to its factory default settings without losing your files, use these steps:

1. Press Windows + I together to open Settings.
2. Click on System on the left panel and select Recovery page on the right side.

3. Under the Recovery options section, click the Reset PC button to format PC of Windows 11.

4. On the Choose an option window, click the Keep my files option.

5. Select the option to reset Windows 11:

• Cloud download: Download a fresh copy of the installation from the cloud and reinstall Windows 11. However, this option will not restore the tools, apps, and configuration that came with the original image provided by the manufacturer.
• Local reinstall: Uses the files already available to reset the computer. If this is a branded device (such as Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, etc.), this process will restore the factory drivers, settings, and tools.

6. Review the apps to reinstall after the reset to factory settings. Click the Next button.

7. Then click the Reset button.

8. Once you complete the steps, you can complete the Windows 11 factory reset from boot.

✨ Note: After the reset is complete, it's a good idea to check for updates to ensure that Windows 11 is not missing any security patches or drivers. Also, you may need to reinstall any of your previous applications as necessary.

Way 2. Format PC with Windows 11 using a Reliable Third-party Software

According to some users, when they tried to format PC on Windows 11 using the above method, they found that the Windows 11 reset PC not working. This is a very difficult problem and the solution is a bit complicated. Fortunately, you can simply opt for the second method - formatting your PC for Windows 11 with powerful and reliable third-party erasure software.

AOMEI Backupper Professional is a good choice when you need to wipe hard disk for clean installation of Windows 11. It supports wiping not only disks but also partitions and unallocated space, so it can meet your various needs. As a professional disk wiping software, it provides 4 wiping methods, including Fill sectors with Zero, Fill sectors with random data, DoD 52220.22-M, and Gutmann. By the way, Please backup your important files before start the wiping process, because all the data on the disk will be erased. Now you can follow the steps below.

Step 1. Download AOMEI Backupper, install, and launch it. Then click Tools > Disk Wipe.

Step 2. Select Wipe disk and click Next.

Step 3. Select the hard drive you want to wipe and click Next.

Note✍: if you are choosing to wipe the system disk with Windows 11, a popup window will prompt you that wipe boot drive will run in reboot mode, press OK to confirm.

Step 4. Next, choose Fill sectors with Zero (Safe, Quick) wiping method and hit Start to begin the wiping process.

Tips✍: You can also choose safer wiping methods come with more passes and lower wiping speed according to your own situation. 

Step 5. Then you will enter the erasing process page. If you want to stop this process, you can click "Cancel" in the right corner.

Conclusion

You already know how to format PC on Windows 11 from this article. There are 2 methods for you to choose from. The first is to use the Windows Settings. The second is to use a more reliable and safer wiping software - AOMEI Backupper.

The software provides you with much more than that. In addition to Disk Wipe function, it is embedded with other powerful functions such as Backup, Restore, Synchronization, Clone, etc. With its help, you can easily upgrade hard drive to larger drive/SSD on Windows 11. Why hesitate? Try it now!