How to Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11 [2023 Updated]

After a computer has been used for a longer period of time, it is likely to experience problems such as slow operation, junk file hoarding, and even system failure.

Factory resetting your computer will not only restore your computer to the state it was when you first bought it at home, improving the running speed and computer performance, but also solve some system problems. However, it also means that all the files you have stored on your PC will be deleted.

How to save files before factory reset Windows 11? Here are 4 solutions to solve this issue.

• Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11/10 with Backup Software
• Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11/10 with File History
• Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11/10 with OneDrive
• How to Reset Windows 11/10 without Losing Files

You can click the quick navigation to choose the method you prefer.

Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11/10 with Backup Software

The first and most recommended way is to use a third-party backup software -EaseUS Todo Backup Home, to back up your Windows PC in advance.

EaseUS Todo Backup Home is well-knownauto-backup softwarefor Windows 11/10/8/7, which can effortlesslycreate schedule backupplans for you with its advanced functions.

You can use it to back up the files you want to keep, app data, or even the entire disk and save all copies on an external hard drive you prepare, on a third-party platform, or in the 250GB free cloud space provided by EaseUS for its users.

After you reset Windows 11 or 10, EaseUS Todo Backup will also restore all your backed-up data for you swiftly. In addition to the features mentioned above, EaseUS has the following features:

• Ability tomigrate Windows to SSD.
• Create smart backup plans.
• Automatically clone a hard drive.
• Support for types of backup.
• Provide 24-hour customer service.
• Supports universal restore.
• Cancreate an ISO image from a hard drive.

Now, let us check out how to save files before factory resetting Windows 11/10 with EaseUS.

Step 1.To start backup, click theSelect backup contents.

Step 2.There are four data backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

Step 3.On the left-hand side, you'll see a list of local and network files. Selecting the files to be backed up by expanding the directory.

Step 4.Follow the instructions on the screen and pick the location where you wish to store the backup.

InBackup Options, clickOptionsto encrypt the backup with a password, specify the backup schedule, and choose whether or not to start the backup at a certain event inBackup Scheme. There are a variety of customizable features available for you to explore, and you may tailor the backup operation to meet your specific requirements.

Step 5.Backups can be stored on a local disk, in EaseUS's cloud service, or on a network attached storage device (NAS).

Step 6.EaseUS Todo Backup allows customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive or the company's own cloud storage.

If you wish to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device and enter your account information.

You may also use EaseUS's own cloud storage service. Click EaseUS Cloud, create an account using your EaseUS Account, then log in to your account.

Step 7.To begin a backup, chooseBackup Now. It will appear in the shape of a card on the left-hand panel when the backup process has been successfully finished. To handle the backup job in more detail, right-click on it.

Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11/10 with File History

Besides using third-party tools, in Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can also back up your important files with the built-in feature provided by Windows -File History.

The specific tutorial is as follows:

Step 1.EnterBackup Settingson the Windows search box, and open the Backup Setting program.

Step 2.Slug an external hard drive into your Windows PC.

Step 3.Navigate toBack up using File History, and hit the "+" icon to add a drive.

Step 4.Select your HDD, and your Windows will automatically back up the data of your user folder per hour.

Step 5.Hit the More options button. You can add more folders you want to back up here or set more advanced backup settings.

Butdoes File History backup everything on Windows? The answer is no.

Windows File History can help you back up common files such as pictures, documents, videos, or music, but it can't back up other contents of Windows 11 for you, including the system files, personal settings, app data, etc. If you want to save files that File History does not support, please choose to useEaseUS Todo Backup Homefor backup.

Save Files Before Factory Reset Windows 11/10 with OneDrive

当然,如果你喜欢备份文件the cloud as opposed to local backup, you can also save files with OneDrive Backup in addition to using EaseUS Todo Backup Home.

Follow these steps to get your goal.

Step 1.EnterBackup Settingson the Windows search box, and open the Backup Setting program.

Step 2.Navigate toBack up files to OneDrive, and hit the Sign in to OneDrive button.

Step 3.一个窗口会弹出,您应该在OneDr迹象ive with your Microsoft account.

Step 4.Then you can add the files you want to save to the OneDrive folder. Its location is under the local disk C, you can open the WindowsFile Explorer, and the OneDrive - personal option is on the left side of the window.

Similar to Windows File History, OneDrive also only backs up common file types and doesn't support you in creating more advanced backup solutions.

How to Reset Windows 11/10 without Losing Files

Except for saving files before factory resetting Windows 11, in fact, you can keep your files during the resetting process.

The steps below are offered for you to follow.

Step 1.Enter Reset on the Windows search box, and openReset this PCprogram.

Step 2.On the pop-up windows, navigate toRecovery> Reset this PC> Get started.

Step 3.Now here are 2 options, select the Keep my files option. It can remove all apps and settings, but keep your personal files.

Step 4.Then follow the prompts Windows gives you and hit the Reset button to start the process.

However, the Reset this PC feature is not stable. Many users have encountered theReset this PC not workingproblem. Before officially starting your reset process, I still prefer you use other methods to back up your data in advance to prevent any accidents.

Conclusion

How to save files before factory reset Windows 11? You can find 4 ways to achieve this goal. But of these four methods, I recommend you use theoffline backup softwareEaseUS Todo Backup Hometo create a more comprehensive and smarter backup solution for your Windows 11. It is not limited to file types and can support the backup and restoration of all computer data.

You can read these 2 posts to get more Windows backup tips.

FAQs

1. Will resetting Windows 11 delete files?

Yes, resetting Windows 11 will delete all your files. Factory resetting will restore your computer to the state it was when you bought it at home, improving the running speed and computer performance. In other words, all your data, including files, system data, Apps, and all your personal settings, will be removed.

2. Where do I save files before a factory reset?

You can save files before a factory reset in Windows Backup settings. Open the Windows Backup settings and navigate to the Backup option, you can save your files with File History or back up your files to OneDrive Cloud.