{"id":60114,"date":"2026-06-30T14:56:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/?p=60114"},"modified":"2026-06-30T14:56:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:56:43","slug":"recover-files-after-windows-reset-html","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-files-after-factory-reset-windows.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Recover Files After Factory Reset (Windows 11 & 10)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you use the Reset this PC<\/b> option in Windows 11\/10 before backing up your files, and now aren\u2019t sure if you can get them back? A lot of the time, recovery is possible, but the likelihood depends on how<\/i> your PC was reset and whether your drive is an HDD or SSD. When no backups are present, the best course of action is to scan your drive from a second computer and recover the files to a separate drive. Our QA team have rigorously tested the most reliable methods and tools on real drives in controlled conditions to confirm what options you really have to recover files after factory reset on Windows 11.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>What Affects Your Chances of Getting Files Back After a Factory Reset<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Data recovery is always case-by-case, but generally speaking there are three important factors that impact your ability to recover files after factory reset: the options you chose during the reset, whether or not your drive is an SSD with TRIM, and the presence of backups.<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Reset options.<\/b> If you chose \u201cKeep my files\u201d, Windows preserves the data in your user folder (Pictures, Videos, Documents, etc). \u201cRemove everything\u201d will delete everything, but still leave good chances of recovery (provided other factors align). However, if you enabled the \u201cClean data\u201d option, a low-level overwrite would have rendered the data unrecoverable. The documentation from Microsoft<\/a> goes into more detail.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. HDD vs SSD\/NVMe.<\/b> Given SSDs are quickly replacing HDDs as the system drives in computers, TRIM is oftentimes the biggest threat. Data deleted on an HDD will remain recoverable until it\u2019s overwritten, whereas SSDs (especially NVMe drives) using TRIM will wipe data at the hardware level almost immediately. And considering the vast majority of modern SSDs do use TRIM, recovering data from an SSD without a backup is highly unlikely.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Backups.<\/b> If you have a backup saved by File History, OneDrive, or any third-party backup tool – use it. The data is likely still accessible, and restoring from a backup is leagues more reliable than trying to recover it with software. Without a backup, you\u2019ll need recovery software capable of recovery by signature.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    So, the answer to \u201cCan you get files back after factory reset?\u201d isn\u2019t always clear right off the bat, and your choice of data recovery software<\/a> has a direct impact.<\/p>\r\n

    Following any instance of data loss, the most important thing to do next is stop using the affected drive<\/b>. Don\u2019t install any software, save any files, or even turn it on unnecessarily. Ideally, switch the drive to read-only mode and recover the deleted files<\/a> as soon as possible, as every write operation reduces your chances of successful recovery.<\/div>\r\n
    TL;DR:<\/b> If you reset without \u201cClean data\u201d on an HDD, some data is likely recoverable. Typically all the metadata gets overwritten, but not always, so you need good software capable of RAW file signature and metadata-based recovery to get the most results. We\u2019ll show you the best software.<\/div>\r\n

    <\/span>Restore Files After Factory Reset with Data Recovery Software<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

    When no backup exists, data recovery software<\/a> is needed, which can find data by unique file signature after the drive is reset. Ideally, you want to remove the drive and scan it from a second computer. You should act quickly, as every passing moment the drive is in use, your recovery chances are reduced.<\/p>\r\n

    These steps show how to restore files after factory reset:<\/p>\r\n

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    1. Download<\/a> and install Disk Drill. Don\u2019t install it to the same drive we\u2019re trying to recover the data from.<\/li>\r\n\t
    2. Select the drive from the list of devices, then click Search for lost data<\/b>.\"Scanning<\/li>\r\n\t
    3. Click Universal Scan<\/b> if prompted to choose a scan type. Advanced Camera Recovery<\/b> is best for restoring fragmented videos shot by cameras and drones.\"Running<\/li>\r\n\t
    4. Click Review found items<\/b> to see what Disk Drill found. Click one of the colored file format icons to filter the results automatically, or click Recover all<\/b> to restore everything straight away.\"Reviewing<\/li>\r\n\t
    5. Preview and select the files you want to recover. Given the lack of file system metadata, you\u2019ll find the majority of your recoverable data under the Reconstructed<\/b> dropdown. Click Recover<\/b> when you\u2019re ready.\"Recovering<\/li>\r\n\t
    6. Choose where the files will be stored. Avoid choosing somewhere on the same drive you\u2019re recovering the data from. Click Next<\/b> to finish recovery. Disk Drill recovers up to 100 MB for free, which is enough to recover critical files and confirm the software actually works before committing to full recovery.\"Finishing<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      File recovery after a Windows reset can be tricky because the Master File Table (MFT), directory structure, and file metadata are wiped clean. This is information recovery tools could otherwise use to find data more easily and restore it with its original folder structure and file names. Therefore, this is a unique instance where you need a strong recovery solution like Disk Drill that has a particular set of skills, such as:<\/p>\r\n