How to reset your PC and back up drivers in Windows 11

This time, we will introduce how to initialize (reset) Windows 11, precautions to take, how to back up drivers, and how to install backed up drivers.

Windows 11 has a handy feature called "Reset your PC."

This allows you to restore your system to its original state if your PC stops working properly due to an operating error, a setting error, or a problem after a Windows update.

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Reasons why Windows 11 initialization fails and how to fix it When continuing to use Windows 11, if the system is not working properly or you feel that it is running abnormally slow, "resetting" is a very effective solution. However, when it comes to resetting...

Driver Backup

After initialization, drivers may be deleted and some devices may not work properly, so be sure to back up all currently installed drivers beforehand.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

Learn how to open a command prompt

1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.

2. Type "cmd".

3.Shift + Ctrl + Enter Please press.

If you do not need administrator privileges, just press Enter.

4. When the "User Account Control" message appears, click "Yes".

2. Once the command prompt opens, type the following command and press Enter:

md E:\Drivers

*This command will create a folder called "Drivers" directly under the E drive.

3. Then type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Drivers

The "E" in "E:\Drivers" here is also the "E" for the E drive. Please change it according to your environment.

This command will start exporting the drivers and save them in the "E:\Drivers" folder.

4. When you see the message "The operation completed successfully," exit Command Prompt.

The drivers are stored in the "E:\Drivers" folder.

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How to reset your PC in Windows 11

Points to note

• Please check each item carefully and operate it correctly.
• In particular, if you select "Delete everything," be aware that drives other than the C drive will also be deleted depending on your selection.
• Even if you select "Keep personal files," they may not be kept in some cases, so we recommend that you back up your personal files to another USB memory stick or external hard disk before running the program.
• The driver will also be deleted, so in some cases you may not be able to connect to the Internet. Don't forget to download the driver in advance or back it up (some of it may remain).

初期化方法

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.

2. Scroll down on the right side and click "Recovery".

3. Click Reset your PC.

If you cannot start Windows 11,Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)” and click “Reset this PC” to reset your PC.

4. A Choose an option screen will appear, so click "Keep my files" or "Remove everything."

If you select "Keep my files"

"Keep personal files" includes files stored in personal folders, user accounts, and user settings.

This will delete your PC settings, software, drivers, etc. that you installed later.

You will be prompted to choose how you want to reinstall Windows. Select either "Download from cloud" or "Local reinstall."

If you select "Download from Cloud"

First, make sure you have at least 4GB of free space on your C drive.

Then click "Next".

*Clicking "Change Settings" will allow you to change whether or not to download Windows. Depending on your environment, you may be asked whether or not to restore pre-installed apps.

"Latest Updates" may be displayed, so read the notes and click "Next".

You're now ready to reset your PC.

*Click "Show apps that will be deleted" to see a list of apps that will be deleted by the reset.

The details of what will be done during this process are displayed, so please check them carefully and then click "Reset" to begin the reset.

You can cancel while the reset is being prepared and the "Cancel" button is displayed.

If you select "Local Reinstallation"

*If you select "Local Reinstallation," Windows will be reinstalled using the files already on your PC. This means that the latest updates may not be installed after the reset. Specifically, updates that you have installed may be deleted.

Click Next.

*Clicking "Change Settings" will allow you to change whether or not to download Windows. Depending on your environment, you may be asked whether or not to restore pre-installed apps.

"Latest Updates" may be displayed, so read the notes and click "Next".

You're now ready to reset your PC.

*Click "Show apps that will be deleted" to see a list of apps that will be deleted by the reset.

The details of what will be done during this process are displayed, so please check them carefully and then click "Reset" to begin the reset.

You can cancel while the reset is being prepared and the "Cancel" button is displayed.

If you select "Delete everything"

You will be prompted to choose how you want to reinstall Windows. Select either "Download from cloud" or "Local reinstall."

If you select "Download from Cloud"

First, make sure you have at least 4GB of free space on your C drive.

Then click "Change Settings."

Please review the items carefully and click the toggle (yes/no switch button) to change to "yes" or "no."

Depending on your environment, you may be asked to choose whether to restore pre-installed apps.

• Do you want to clean the data?
  If you select "No," the file will simply be deleted, and there is a risk that the file may be restored if you transfer it to someone else.
  If you select "Yes," it will clean the drive, making it more difficult to recover files.
  *If you are transferring your PC to someone else, select "Yes."

• Do you want to delete files from all drives?
  This item may not be displayed depending on your environment (if you only have a C drive).
  If you select "No", only the drive on which Windows is installed will be deleted.
  If you select "Yes," all files stored on drives other than the drive where Windows is installed, such as the D drive and E drive, will be deleted.

Once you have made your selection, click "Confirm."

Click here to see a list of affected drives.

The target drive is displayed as "D:".

For example, if this PC has a C drive and a D drive, and you select "Yes" for "Do you want to delete files from all drives?", the files in the D drive will also be deleted.

Click Back.

Check the settings carefully again and click "Next".

You're now ready to reset your PC.

The details of what will be done during this process are displayed, so please check them carefully and then click "Reset" to begin the reset.

You can cancel while the reset is being prepared and the "Cancel" button is displayed.

After the reset is complete and Windows 11 starts up, I check the drive and the D drive is empty because I answered "Yes" to the question "Do you want to delete files from all drives?"

If you select "Local Reinstallation"

*If you select "Local Reinstallation," Windows will be reinstalled using the files already on your PC. This means that the latest updates may not be installed after the reset. Specifically, updates that you have installed may be deleted.

Others are as aboveIf you select "Download from Cloud"This is the same operation as

Install the backed up drivers

1. Click the bottom left (center) of the screen.Start buttonRight-click on it and click Device Manager.

2. Once Device Manager opens, open the desired driver (in this case, Network Adapter).

3. If the driver is not installed, a question mark or similar will be displayed. Right-click on it and click "Update Driver."

4. Click "Browse my computer for drivers".

5. Click Browse.

6. Select the folder where you backed up the drivers and click OK.

7. Click Next.

8. The driver installation will begin and you should confirm that it was installed successfully.

*Some drivers may require a reboot, so please follow the on-screen instructions to reboot.