Windows 11 Reset problem ?

I never did a Windows 10 reset and just did my first Windows 11 reset - keep my files. the reset is to get rid of a browser hijacker. to my surprise, the single adminstrator account remains. many settings like wifi, screensaver, power options, desktop picture etc. remain and some settings like taskbar settings and recycle bin properties are back to factory default. the apps / programs are all removed, registry editor back to factory default.
my Windows 11 reset got problem or not ? I expected just my personal files will remain like Windows 7 and everything else back to factory default.

Thanks.

Windows 11, version 24H2,

What is the build number? I was having trouble resetting it to 6584 in the last build.

young said:

just did my first Windows 11 reset - keep my files

Click to expand...

When you choose to "keep my files" you will probably also keep the browser hijacker.
A "reset" sets Windows back to factory. With the keep my files option, it leaves 3rd party things untouched.
Most of us use backup software just for times like this.
You could restore from a backup, from before you acquired the browser hijacker.




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

Ghot said:

A "reset" sets Windows back to factory. With the keep my files option, it leaves 3rd party things untouched.
Most of us use backup software just for times like this.
You could restore from a backup, from before you acquired the browser hijacker.

Click to expand...

I know 3rd party things will be untouched but didn't expect the administrator account not to be removed and many other Windows settings not resetted to default - that is not Windows factory default.

If reset save files had failed an alternative fix may be a custom install.

Both require the reinstallation of drivers and applications.
And both save files.
With a custom install important files are restored from Windows.old.
The custom install is performed using a bootable Windows Media Creation (MCT) (Windows iso).

Since Reset is a little less than a clean installation, I would backup the drivers, or download newer versions and do a format and clean installation. This is recommended especially if your previous system was infected by a virus. To backup the drivers to your USB flash drive, say D:, in a folder, say drivers, run this command:

Dism /online /export-driver /destination:D:\Drivers

After installing Windows again, don't connect to the internet to avoid Windows Update automatically installing any drivers. Open Device Manager, click on any device without drivers (with a yellow !) and select to update drivers. Then select the second option (manually) and browse to the folder. It is easier if you have downloaded the driver installers from manufacturer.