Windows Reset or Clean Install?


izzydz

New member
Local time
11:28 AM
Posts
2
OS
Windows 11
Hi,

Are there any benefits between using Windows Installation Media for a clean install of Windows 11 or using the Reset function in recovery? I want to perform a full wipe and fresh install of Windows 11 and I don't know which option is more thorough.

Thanks,
Iskandar
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Though a reset and remove everything and a clean install is basically the same thing, the difference between a clean install and a reset is in the way that Windows wipes out the data. A clean installation wipes the drive clean and removes all data from it, including third-party software and custom device drivers as well as any bloatware that came from the manufacturer.

If one is going to do a 'reset and remove everything' IMO taking a little more time and going the extra step of downloading the latest iso to do a clean install is preferable, but that's just me.

This is the best article I've ever seen explaining the differences. Take a look at the chart at the end that compares recovery options side by side.

Whichever way you decide to go, after you get your system running clean and trouble free with all your data restored, I strongly suggest you implement some kind of regular backup solution to protect yourself. Restoring from a backup is by far the simplest and fastest method of recovery. There are many good free backup programs available. I do a full system backup once a week and it's saved my bacon more than once.
 
Last edited:

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
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    Benq 27
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    2560x1440
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    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Thought a reset and remove everything and a clean install is basically the same thing, the difference between a clean install and a reset is in the way that Windows wipes out the data. A clean installation wipes the drive clean and removes all data from it, including third-party software and custom device drivers as well as any bloatware that came from the manufacturer.

If one is going to do a 'reset and remove everything' IMO taking a little more time and going the extra step of downloading the latest iso to do a clean install is preferable, but that's just me.

This is the best article I've ever seen explaining the differences. Take a look at the chart at the end that compares recovery options side by side.

Whichever way you decide to go, after you get your system running clean and trouble free with all your data restored, I strongly suggest you implement some kind of regular backup solution to protect yourself. Restoring from a backup is by far the simplest and fastest method of recovery. There are many good free backup programs available. I do a full system backup once a week and it's saved my bacon more than once.
This is a very helpful reply, thank you very much.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11

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