Win11 Reset Options

CKavanagh · Sep 14, 2025

Win11, 2H24. I want to reset my Win11 as I was messing with regedit, task manager, services.msc, cmd, run and powershell trying to completely remove Xbox, Gaming Services, Gamebar as well as ExpressVPN, Free Trials, LastPass and McAfee aswell as other unneeded programs in the Start Menu. I also noticed in some File/Folder Permissions there is an Unknown Account User followed by numbers with no permissions and I can't remove it. It is not listed under Other Users. I don't save files l locally, I use Onedrive. Customization is minimal. From that I stated above, when reseting the laptop, should I choose to Keep Files or just Delete Everything and start over?

OAT · Sep 14, 2025

CKavanagh said:
Win11, 2H24. I want to reset my Win11 as I was messing with regedit, task manager, services.msc, cmd, run and powershell trying to completely remove Xbox, Gaming Services, Gamebar as well as ExpressVPN, Free Trials, LastPass and McAfee aswell as other unneeded programs in the Start Menu. I also noticed in some File/Folder Permissions there is an Unknown Account User followed by numbers with no permissions and I can't remove it. It is not listed under Other Users. I don't save files l locally, I use Onedrive. Customization is minimal. From that I stated above, when reseting the laptop, should I choose to Keep Files or just Delete Everything and start over?

Based on the way you just described, a clean install is recommended.
The registry is no playground, do a backup, at least, before experimenting.

RazorKat83 · Sep 14, 2025

OAT said:
Based on the way you just described, a clean install is recommended.

100% agree with this. OF course, IF he has a system restore point, he could do that

CKavanagh · Sep 14, 2025

So for clean install I choose Remove everything?

OAT · Sep 14, 2025

CKavanagh said:
So for clean install I choose Remove everything?

Correct.

CKavanagh · Sep 14, 2025

Well I did a clean install, selected to remove all data; however, I didn't change options in advanced. Anyway, now all installed again and new issues. When I select the Start Menu items popup under Recommended however I have no options choosen. I remove from list, close start menu and when open again there is another item showing. Ugh. I have all the options off but still seeing them. And I uninstalled Xbox yet I still see Xbox Saved Fames and gaming port files in c:users. Frustrating enought I cant get rid of XpressVPN, Free Trials, LastPass from Start Menu. I am not new to laptops. I was fine for years and decided to reset due to messing with the registry trying to rid of Xbox. Now new issues. Lol.

Ghot · Sep 14, 2025

CKavanagh said:
When I select the Start Menu items popup under Recommended

Here's some things that you may find useful...

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How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...

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Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

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There's a tweak in the START Menu section of the Leader Board link, to disable the Recommended section.
Afterwards, the lower section of the START Menu, will look like this...

CKavanagh · Sep 14, 2025

Frustrated so I just started another reset and this time will leave it alone. Just ignore the apps I don't want in the Start Menu as some have no uninstall option. I don't use the Start Menu often anyway as I put icons on the desktop or pinned to taskbar. Just annoying to see items under Recommended when I have all the options turned off!

Ghot · Sep 14, 2025

CKavanagh said:
Frustrated so I just started another reset and this time will leave it alone. Just ignore the apps I don't want in the Start Menu as some have no uninstall option. I don't use the Start Menu often anyway as I put icons on the desktop or pinned to taskbar. Just annoying to see items under Recommended when I have all the options turned off!

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antspants · Sep 15, 2025

CKavanagh said:
Well I did a clean install, selected to remove all data; however, I didn't change options in advanced. Anyway, now all installed again and new issues. When I select the Start Menu items popup under Recommended however I have no options choosen. I remove from list, close start menu and when open again there is another item showing. Ugh. I have all the options off but still seeing them. And I uninstalled Xbox yet I still see Xbox Saved Fames and gaming port files in c:users. Frustrating enought I cant get rid of XpressVPN, Free Trials, LastPass from Start Menu. I am not new to laptops. I was fine for years and decided to reset due to messing with the registry trying to rid of Xbox. Now new issues. Lol.

Sounds like the reset may be using the HP Envy default instalation, is there a partition with a HP image on your HP?

As apposed to “Reset”, I would do a fresh install using a Microsoft Windows 11 ISO.

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Removing Xbox can cause annoyances, but if you want it gone, there are a few different elements to it.
I would recommend using REVO (Free) to remove Xbox apps from the Microsoft Apps section of Revo.
Tell REVO when given the chance, to remove all leftovers. And scan for registry entries if asked.

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CKavanagh · Sep 15, 2025

Free Revo didn't find Xbox. I did another reset and will just leave it alone and not mess with third party apps or regedits. Just unnecessary clutter and not affecting my system.

zbook · Sep 15, 2025

CKavanagh said:
Well I did a clean install, selected to remove all data;

During a clean install > boot to a Media Creation Tool (MCT) (Windows iso) > manually delete all partitions to create an unallocated disk drive

(there is no menu selection to remove all data)

CKavanagh said:
Frustrated so I just started another reset and this time will leave it alone.

A reset remove files can be performed if there is no MCT (iso) but a clean install is optimal

glasskuter · Sep 15, 2025

I always use Revo Uninstaller Free to uninstall all applications as well as Windows apps. It gives the user a chance to Scan For and remove all leftover files and registry entries after it uninstalls.

antspants · Sep 15, 2025

Xbox should show up in the Microsoft Apps section

CKavanagh said:
Free Revo didn't find Xbox. I did another reset and will just leave it alone and not mess with third party apps or regedits. Just unnecessary clutter and not affecting my system.

OK, well a few observations:

Xbox should show in the "Windows Apps" section of REVO, unless that isn't available in the free version:

When doing a clean install from install media (Not Reset) I have never seen an offer displayed for anything other than Microsoft 365.
If you're seeing offers for "Last Passs" or have "XpressVPN" installed, then I believe it's using a HP (reset) image
You say you did a fresh install, you mean from Boot to a USB install media?

CKavanagh · Sep 15, 2025

Ya it didn't. Probably bigger issues. Main reason I reset was because File Explorer was extremely slow to open. I did a couple resets for other issues not installing correct and now back to File Explorer again very slow to open. My phone also showed connected twice. Will do one more reset and see what happens.

antspants · Sep 15, 2025

OK. We are trying to let you know that a clean install from install media at boot, supersedes a Reset

But I hope your next reset works for you

CKavanagh · Sep 15, 2025

Thanks. Had laptop 4 years. Maybe deeper issues. Should had just left it alone and leave unwanted apps in the start menu.

zbook · Sep 15, 2025

Please see OAT's post #2: clean install

And see the clean install tutorial that antspants posted in post #10.

Win11 Reset Options

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