Forum Discussion
"Reset This PC" reinstallation of Windows 11 failed
I backed up my personal files and attempted to get an updated clean install of Windows 11 using "Reset This PC" in the Update & Security section of Settings. I asked it to "clean" the filespace. It went to work, but eventually finished after a couple of hours and rebooted. However, the only account in the new system was an administrator account that would not let me try to log into because, it said, that account had been removed. Meaning there were no accounts to log into. I reran the "Reset This PC" (by hitting restart with the Shift key depressed), and now the reinstall just fails over and over. How can I get my computer back with a working operating system??? HELP!!
Hello Kevin,
If you have another computer you can use, you could create a Windows 11 installation USB, and do a clean install of Windows 11 like in the tutorial below on your computer to start fresh.
- Thanks so much. I tried that last night, but ran into a wall: I bought my Dell XPS several years ago directly from Dell, and it came with Windows 10. When Windows 11 came out, I was allowed to upgrade for free. BUT, when I tried to install from an external HD last night, it doesn't accept my old Windows 10 product key anymore, which is the only one I have. I really wish I hadn't tried to improve my computer with a fresh install ... I'll try to reinstall Windows 10 and see if it still allows me to upgrade again, but I'm losing confidence.
- If it doesn't work out, then you could try using Dell OS recovery media below from Dell.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000123667/how-to-download-and-use-the-dell-os-recovery-image-in-microsoft-windows
