Clean Reinstall Windows 11 Home?


newmann

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OS
Windows 11 Pro
Hi. I had bought a cheap windows 11 home laptop recently. I bought one because I needed a clean computer to check some things and download some files on it until I could finish clean reinstall windows 10 pro on my my dell xps laptop which I did. I even did a clean reinstall of windows 10 on an even older dell desktop. My dell xps laptop is my mainly laptop. I bought this to do this but also to have a spare windows laptop.


Now this cheap windows 11 home laptop, it came in S mode and had to get out of it in order to do downloads. This laptop is very slow... I knew it was slow but had no idea it was this slow.


The thing is I know I could still return this laptop back. I am slightly considering this... but most likely going to let someone else use it instead as they don't need a fast computer. But this computer is really slow which is the issue. I am slightly considering returning this one and buying another spare windows laptop but a bit faster one.



1. So If I want to return this laptop back, I have to do clean reinstall correct? I do not want to send it back the way it is because I have some sensitive files there. Thus just deleting it to recycle bin is obviously not good enough right? I do recall there is option to reset your computer and thus wipe it including the files. But this is not the cleanest way possible right? Does that mean I need to download the windows 11 installation files on a usb just like how I did with the windows 10 installation files when I did a clean reinstall on my windows 10? The thing is I want to make sure my computer is fully wiped clean. Thus I believe if you return a computer, they sell it as refurbished. But I wouldn't want that person say going to the computer and then checking to see what old files were there. So a clean reinstall is necessary for this? Is the steps very similar to like how windows 10 clean reinstall is? Or it's not worth it because I did have some sensitive files and programs there?


Now for people who only try the laptop out for a bit and do not like it. Let say they just web browse and youtube and never enter any sensitive information in it, they could literally return it like with no issue right? But if someone even entered their email password into it, they don't need to do any clean reinstall or reset before they return it. Just change their email passwords and it is good enough?



2. Now if I want to give this computer to someone else to use which is most likely going to be the case... they would only use it mainly for web browsing and email and documents, should I still do a clean reinstall? Or is it reset enough? The thing is I would want to delete all the files/documents I have on this computer first. But my concern is say they suddenly got malware or virus... if I do not clean reinstall windows 11 or do a reset, will the files I just delete and delete off recycle bin be enough? I assume not right? Such as say a hacker could literally go through the recycle bin and check my old files? Thus even if giving the computer to someone else, always do a clean reinstall? Or is that reset enough? I heard reset cleans it but with enough work, someone could still find the files?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
If you are going to give it to someone as you said seems favourite. A clean install would be best. I wonder where you got it from as most manufacturers won't take a pc back.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Hi. Well I rather let someone use it instead of going through the process of returning it. But the thing is either way, I should still do a clean reinstall?


Because if that is the case, I'm not that sure then. The issue is this laptop is really slow which is the problem. Now had I bought a more faster laptop, then I would keep it. Does that make sense?


I bought it from one of the big box stores like target where they allow you to return it.


But is this clean reinstall process just like windows ten? My concern is if I do a reinstall, is it possible the wifi and drivers are not going to be there and things like that?


I did read these stores do a clean reinstall when you return it back to them right? But if you don't do a clean reinstall and return it or give it to someone else to use, is it possible they could access your old files? Or say you give it to someone to use while all you did was just delete the files and send to recycle bin... then say if that laptop gets malware or virus, then my old files could be found?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
But is this clean reinstall process just like windows ten? My concern is if I do a reinstall, is it possible the wifi and drivers are not going to be there and things like that?
Rather than a clean install, do a Reset, removing everything. This is effectively a 'factory reset' and will return it to the 'out of the box' condition - including all the OEM utilities and drivers.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
I did read these stores do a clean reinstall when you return it back to them right? But if you don't do a clean reinstall and return it or give it to someone else to use, is it possible they could access your old files? Or say you give it to someone to use while all you did was just delete the files and send to recycle bin... then say if that laptop gets malware or virus, then my old files could be found?
I don't know where you read that but it's wrong. Years ago, my wife bought a laptop from a big box store, and it had photos left on there by the previous owner. They never told us that the laptop was a return.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Rather than a clean install, do a Reset, removing everything. This is effectively a 'factory reset' and will return it to the 'out of the box' condition - including all the OEM utilities and drivers.



But do they also have the clean reinstall option as well like with windows 10 with the usb flash drive on windows 11? With windows 10, I did the clean reinstall with the usb because I read that wipes everything clean. But I thought windows 10 reset wouldn't wipe everything as clean as a clean reinstall?


Does that mean there is no way someone can get into the old files when you do the Reset? So even if you have malware/virus, this Reset in Windows 11 would clean it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
I don't know where you read that but it's wrong. Years ago, my wife bought a laptop from a big box store, and it had photos left on there by the previous owner. They never told us that the laptop was a return.

You mean you bought a new laptop and it came with old photos. But were they just there? So was the windows user that person's name and thus that big box store never did a clean reinstall before selling it? So it was sold new but was a return? Did you buy it at the store or online? Curious which big box store this was.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
Hi. I had bought a cheap windows 11 home laptop recently. I bought one because I needed a clean computer to check some things and download some files on it until I could finish clean reinstall windows 10 pro on my my dell xps laptop which I did. I even did a clean reinstall of windows 10 on an even older dell desktop. My dell xps laptop is my mainly laptop. I bought this to do this but also to have a spare windows laptop.


Now this cheap windows 11 home laptop, it came in S mode and had to get out of it in order to do downloads. This laptop is very slow... I knew it was slow but had no idea it was this slow.


The thing is I know I could still return this laptop back. I am slightly considering this... but most likely going to let someone else use it instead as they don't need a fast computer. But this computer is really slow which is the issue. I am slightly considering returning this one and buying another spare windows laptop but a bit faster one.



1. So If I want to return this laptop back, I have to do clean reinstall correct? I do not want to send it back the way it is because I have some sensitive files there. Thus just deleting it to recycle bin is obviously not good enough right? I do recall there is option to reset your computer and thus wipe it including the files. But this is not the cleanest way possible right? Does that mean I need to download the windows 11 installation files on a usb just like how I did with the windows 10 installation files when I did a clean reinstall on my windows 10? The thing is I want to make sure my computer is fully wiped clean. Thus I believe if you return a computer, they sell it as refurbished. But I wouldn't want that person say going to the computer and then checking to see what old files were there. So a clean reinstall is necessary for this? Is the steps very similar to like how windows 10 clean reinstall is? Or it's not worth it because I did have some sensitive files and programs there?


Now for people who only try the laptop out for a bit and do not like it. Let say they just web browse and youtube and never enter any sensitive information in it, they could literally return it like with no issue right? But if someone even entered their email password into it, they don't need to do any clean reinstall or reset before they return it. Just change their email passwords and it is good enough?



2. Now if I want to give this computer to someone else to use which is most likely going to be the case... they would only use it mainly for web browsing and email and documents, should I still do a clean reinstall? Or is it reset enough? The thing is I would want to delete all the files/documents I have on this computer first. But my concern is say they suddenly got malware or virus... if I do not clean reinstall windows 11 or do a reset, will the files I just delete and delete off recycle bin be enough? I assume not right? Such as say a hacker could literally go through the recycle bin and check my old files? Thus even if giving the computer to someone else, always do a clean reinstall? Or is that reset enough? I heard reset cleans it but with enough work, someone could still find the files?
If the laptop is that slow, there really is no point keeping it. You should just return it and buy one that is usable without complaints.

When you do a factory reset, you get the option of wiping everything clean, and making it difficult to recover any files. It is part of the built-in utility. That should be sufficient for the most part.

But if you are too concerned, then get CCleaner or similar program to wipe your disk clean (use Secure clean with multiple passes) and then do a complete reset.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
If the laptop is that slow, there really is no point keeping it. You should just return it and buy one that is usable without complaints.

When you do a factory reset, you get the option of wiping everything clean, and making it difficult to recover any files. It is part of the built-in utility. That should be sufficient for the most part.

But if you are too concerned, then get CCleaner or similar program to wipe your disk clean (use Secure clean with multiple passes) and then do a complete reset.
But is there a clean reinstall option similar to like how windows 10 has it with the usb for windows 11?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
But is there a clean reinstall option similar to like how windows 10 has it with the usb for windows 11?
It is not called reinstall, although that too is available under Settings/ Recovery. It is called Fresh Start.

You can either use that or use the Reset option and then choose to wipe everything completely.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
But is there a clean reinstall option similar to like how windows 10 has it with the usb for windows 11?
Sure you can clean install, but it easier to use "reset my pc". If you had lots of sensitive data on it, you could use reset option that wipes data securely to prevent people using special recovery tools but this take much longer.

Re laptop being slow, we cannot comment as you have provide no details of pc or software issues etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
You mean you bought a new laptop and it came with old photos. But were they just there? So was the windows user that person's name and thus that big box store never did a clean reinstall before selling it? So it was sold new but was a return? Did you buy it at the store or online? Curious which big box store this was.
She bought what we thought was a brand-new laptop. All the big box store did was retape the box and put it back in stock. It had a username and password that I bypassed. In the picture folder was photos from the previous owner. We didn't know anyone in the pictures, so I deleted them. I was going to take the laptop back but decided to do a clean Win 10 install.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
As others have suggested earlier on, do a reset on your W11 laptop. This will be as secure as whatever it is that you did with your W10 machine and the USB stick.


As you do the reset, choose the option 'Remove everything' > 'Change settings' choose the option 'Data erasure On'. What this will do is the following: (I quote the following from the text in the link, and further highlighted the 'donate' ... 'your PC, use this option'.)

"Data erasure On removes files and cleans the drive. If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed."

This is as secure as it gets, short of substituting the HDD or SSD in your W11 laptop with a new one (if substituting is possible at all, it is not really possible in recent makes of laptops)

And who knows, perhaps your W11 laptop becomes lightning fast after the reset, and you may want to keep it!

In any case, back up your data before you do a reset!

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro

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