How to reset a Windows 11 laptop before selling (Microsoft account and BitLocker)

Windows 11 has a built-in reset that removes your files, apps and accounts. Turn on the clean-data option and remove the laptop from your Microsoft account, and the buyer gets a fresh machine.

Back up your files, then go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Reset PC next to Reset this PC. Choose Remove everything, open Change settings and turn on the clean data option, which Microsoft recommends when you sell a PC. After the reset, remove the laptop from your devices list at account.microsoft.com/devices.

• 1. Back up your files: Copy documents, photos and anything else you need to an external drive or your cloud storage. Sign out of browsers and apps that store passwords, such as your password manager, so nothing is left cached.
• 2. Open Reset this PC: Go to Settings > System > Recovery. Next to Reset this PC, click Reset PC.
• 3. Choose Remove everything: Pick Remove everything, not Keep my files. This deletes your personal files, apps and settings so the next owner starts from scratch.
• 4. Pick cloud or local reinstall: Cloud download fetches a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft and needs a steady internet connection. Local reinstall rebuilds Windows from files already on the laptop. Both remove your data; cloud download is handy if Windows has been acting up.
• 5. Turn on clean data: On the additional settings screen, click Change settings and switch on the option to clean the data. Microsoft recommends this when selling or giving away a PC because it makes deleted files much harder to recover. It adds time, so leave the laptop plugged in.
• 6. Start the reset and wait: Review your choices and click Reset. The laptop restarts several times. When it reaches the first setup screen asking for your region, stop there and shut it down by holding the power button.
• 7. Remove the laptop from your Microsoft account: On your phone or another computer, sign in at account.microsoft.com/devices, find the laptop, open its details and choose Remove. This also detaches it from Find my device.