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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If Windows 11’s Reset this PC is showing a black screen or appears stuck at a percentage, do not assume it has failed or force the PC off. Microsoft warns that manually restarting during a reset can cause it to fail, and says a black screen can occasionally last more than 15 minutes. There is no universal wait time or percentage that proves a reset is frozen. Use the steps below to decide what to do without interrupting a reset that may still be running.
1. If the reset is running, give it time
A black screen—even one lasting longer than 15 minutes—does not by itself show that Reset this PC has stopped. The process may include automatic restarts, and Microsoft cautions that manually restarting the device could cause the reset to fail. Keep the PC connected to power and allow it to continue; do not use a percentage or elapsed-time threshold as proof that it is safe to interrupt. Microsoft’s Reset your PC guidance does not specify a universal point at which every apparently stuck reset can safely be powered off.
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2. Protect your files and recovery key before trying again
- Back up important files. If Windows still opens, copy files you cannot afford to lose to a separate safe location before resetting.
- Have the BitLocker recovery key ready. If device encryption is enabled, Windows may request this key when you enter the recovery environment or reset the PC. Do not begin until you can access it.
- Choose the reset option based on what you intend to keep. Keep my files preserves personal files but removes apps and settings. Remove everything removes personal files, apps, and settings; select it only if you intend to erase those from the PC. Microsoft notes that its consumer data-erasure feature does not meet government or industry data-erasure standards.
Microsoft describes these reset effects and preparation steps on its Reset your PC page.
3. If Windows still starts, consider a less disruptive repair
If the desktop is available and a full reset is not essential, check whether a targeted recovery option fits the problem. Microsoft’s Windows recovery options include uninstalling a recently installed update and using System Restore. On eligible Windows 11 PCs, you may also be able to reinstall Windows through Windows Update, which reinstalls the same Windows version while preserving files, apps, and settings.
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Reinstall Windows through Windows Update
Where available, open Settings > System > Recovery and look for the option to fix problems using Windows Update. Microsoft says this option may depend on Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, and it may not appear on every device. Check the actual Windows version and the options shown on your PC rather than assuming eligibility. Keep the computer connected to power and the internet during the reinstall. See Microsoft’s recovery guidance for reinstalling Windows and its Windows Update reinstall instructions.
4. If you still need Reset this PC, choose its options carefully
When Windows starts, the usual route is Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. If Windows will not start, you can reach recovery options in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and choose Reset this PC there. Back up files and have the BitLocker recovery key available before proceeding.
Choose what to keep
- Keep my files: retains personal files but removes installed apps and settings. Back up important files anyway.
- Remove everything: removes personal files, apps, and settings. Choose it only when that loss is intended, such as preparing the device for transfer.
Choose where Windows files come from
- Cloud download: downloads a fresh copy of Windows. It is useful when local recovery files may be corrupted or missing, and it requires a usable internet connection.
- Local reinstall: uses files already on the PC. It may suit a slow or unavailable internet connection, but the local files may not include the latest updates.
These choices and their effects are described in Microsoft’s Reset your PC instructions.
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5. If built-in recovery fails, use installation media or check for OEM recovery
If Reset this PC and other built-in recovery options do not work, Microsoft documents creating Windows installation media on another working PC. Its instructions specify a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. This is a fallback for reinstalling Windows—not a fix to try while a reset may still be running. Follow Microsoft’s Create installation media for Windows instructions.
A PC manufacturer may offer recovery media for a specific model. Microsoft notes that OEM recovery media can include hardware-specific drivers and factory apps that generic Microsoft installation media may not. Availability depends on the manufacturer and device; check the support information for your exact model. If you use Microsoft’s recovery-drive route instead, note that creating a recovery drive erases existing contents on the USB drive, so use an empty one.
Quick Recap
What to do when a reset appears stuck
- Reset is still running and the screen is black: leave the PC connected to power and wait through the black-screen interval and automatic restarts. A black screen lasting more than 15 minutes can occur; it is not a cutoff for declaring failure.
- Windows starts normally: back up important files, then consider a targeted recovery option or eligible Windows Update reinstall before choosing a full reset.
- You decide to reset: use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC, or access Reset this PC in WinRE if Windows will not start. Check the keep/remove and cloud/local choices before confirming.
- Built-in recovery does not work: use Microsoft installation media or investigate model-specific OEM recovery media. Do not assume any one recovery step will resolve every failure; the cause and available options can vary by device.
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