Hey there! I recently discovered that my Windows 11 system was compromised, and now I'm looking to do a complete reinstall after I back up my important files. I'm considering using the built-in "Reset this PC" option, but I'm worried about whether it's truly secure after a hack. It mentions that it can remove personal files, but I'm not sure what else might still be kept.
Also, I think I have a USB drive I could use, but I might not have access to another computer for help. I'd prefer the native option, but I want to confirm if it's safe enough to use. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
2 Answers
You might want to try the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to create a USB installation drive. It's the official method and pretty straightforward—just boot from the drive and follow the prompts! It’s safe to do on the same PC, though some folks suggest using a different PC just for safety's sake.
Nope, you can create the installation drive on your own PC. Just make sure you follow the instructions closely!
Honestly, the built-in factory reset has been known to cause issues. I’d recommend doing a clean install instead. Make sure to backup everything important first! You can look up how to clean install Windows 11 for a step-by-step guide. Just remember to keep track of all your software license keys too.
Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate it. Just to clarify, after the reinstall, will I still be able to use my Microsoft account logins?
Unfortunately, all your login info, like passkeys, will be wiped during a clean install. Just make sure you have all the recovery options and emails saved beforehand!
Do I need a separate computer to make this install drive, though? I’m a bit confused about that.