Can I reset Windows 11 without wiping my D drive?

For a built-in reset, go to Settings, System, Recovery, then select Reset PC. Choose Remove everything if you want to remove your files and apps from the Windows drive. Review the additional settings and confirmation screen carefully. If you're offered a choice between the Windows drive and all drives, select only the Windows drive.

That is intended to leave D alone, but it isn't a guarantee against a mistake or another problem. If the confirmation is unclear, cancel rather than guessing. Apps installed on D may also need to be reinstalled after the reset, even if their files remain there.

I wouldn't reset yet if those files matter and there isn't another copy. Choosing the right option reduces the risk, but D can still be lost through an error or drive failure. Borrowing or getting an external drive to copy the files onto first is a lot less stressful than hoping the reset goes perfectly.

Check that you can open some of the copied files before starting. Afterward, keeping a regular backup is worthwhile too.

Check whether D is a separate physical drive or just another partition on the same drive as C. You can look in Disk Management. If it's a separate removable drive, disconnecting it during the reset adds a layer of protection. If it's a partition on the same drive, you can't disconnect it without disconnecting C too.

Either way, disconnecting a drive is not a substitute for a backup. On a laptop, don't open the case unless you're comfortable doing so.

Be careful with advice to do a clean install and delete all partitions. That would conflict with your goal if D is a partition on the same disk. A clean install can avoid some manufacturer software, but it requires careful disk selection and isn't a shortcut around backing up your files.