How to Restore an ASUS Laptop to Factory Settings

To restore an ASUS laptop running Windows 11 to factory settings, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC, then choose Remove everything. This reinstalls Windows and removes your files, apps, and settings, but it does not guarantee the original ASUS factory software. To restore an ASUS software image, choose a supported ASUS Recovery or ASUS Cloud Recovery option.

Back up your files and choose your reset

Back up the files you want to keep, even when you plan to preserve personal files during the reset. Retain your BitLocker recovery key because Windows recovery can request it. Connect the laptop to AC power and leave it connected during recovery.

Choose a Windows reset when you want a fresh Windows installation, or choose ASUS Recovery or ASUS Cloud Recovery when you need an ASUS software image. For the broader Windows procedure, follow the steps to factory reset a laptop.

For a laptop you are keeping, select Keep my files to preserve personal files while removing installed applications and resetting settings. Before selling or giving it away, choose Remove everything instead. Keeping personal files is unsuitable when you need to erase your data before a transfer.

Reset your ASUS laptop from Windows

On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset PC. Alternatively, search Windows for Reset this PC, select Open, then select Reset PC. Choose Remove everything for a full Windows reset.

Select Cloud download to retrieve Windows online, or select Local reinstall to use files already on the laptop. Both are Windows reset choices, separate from ASUS Cloud Recovery. Neither guarantees restoration of the original ASUS factory image.

Open Change settings and review the erasure options. For disposal or transfer, enable Clean data, then select Confirm > Next. Review the final choices and select Reset to proceed.

To preserve personal files, choose Keep my files, then select Local reinstall or Cloud download. Open Change settings and enable Restore apps and settings which came with this PC if available. Microsoft also calls this control Restore preinstalled apps; enabling it reapplies available manufacturer customizations.

Select Confirm > Next, then open View apps that will be removed to review the applications you will lose. Select Back, then select Reset when ready. If you cannot reach these settings or complete the reset, try Windows Recovery Environment.

Fix recovery access when Windows will not start

From the Windows sign-in screen, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart. When recovery opens, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Select Remove everything or choose Keep my files, then select Local reinstall or Cloud download.

Supply the requested BitLocker recovery key or account credentials, review the available settings, and select Reset. If Windows still opens, you can also enter recovery through Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. Opening recovery does not immediately erase the laptop.

If you cannot reach the sign-in screen, turn the laptop off, hold F9, and press the Power button. Release F9 when Windows Recovery Environment appears. If that does not work, repeat the process using F12.

Automatic recovery can also open after repeated startup failures. If the internal recovery environment remains unavailable, start from a suitable recovery USB or Windows installation USB. Neither ASUS startup shortcut guarantees that a factory image is available on your model.

Restore the local ASUS factory image

ASUS Recovery restores the preinstalled Windows version and removes user data. ASUS supports specified ROG and TUF gaming models introduced after January 2020 with Windows preinstalled, plus supported Intel and AMD ProArt and Zenbook models from 2025 onward. Check your exact model’s Built-in Apps specifications for eligibility.

Enter recovery using F12, or F9 on applicable models, then select Troubleshoot > MyASUS in WinRE > ASUS Recovery. Some models expose ASUS Recovery directly. At the factory reset warning, select Yes and wait until Windows initial setup appears.

If the ASUS recovery option is missing, that feature is unavailable on the laptop. Continue with compatible ASUS Cloud Recovery to obtain an ASUS image, or use Windows reset for a fresh Windows installation. Installing the desktop MyASUS app does not add factory recovery support to an unsupported model.

Download an ASUS image through recovery

ASUS Cloud Recovery inside MyASUS in WinRE supports compatible models originally supplied with Windows 11 22H2 or later, excluding Windows 11 S mode. You need AC power and a network connection. This process erases the storage device containing Windows, including other partitions on that device.

Enter Windows Recovery Environment and select Troubleshoot > MyASUS in WinRE. If the privacy notice appears, select Agree, then select Update > Cloud Recovery. Select Continue if an expired-service notice appears.

Choose your wireless network, select OK, enter its password, and select Connect. At the backup offer, select OK, choose an external storage device, and select OK. Select the files, select OK again, then select Next.

If you have already backed up your files, select Cancel at the backup offer instead. Review the prompt asking to reset the whole system to its default settings, then select OK. During the service period, ASUS supplies updated images; after expiry, it supplies the factory-default operating system and drivers.

Use ASUS Cloud Recovery from the BIOS

Use ASUS Cloud Recovery in UEFI only if ASUS supports your model. ARM and Qualcomm laptops and factory Windows Home S-mode configurations are excluded. ASUS warns that this route can erase every installed storage device, so use WinRE Cloud Recovery when other internal drives must be preserved.

Connect AC power and internet, then press F2 during startup to enter the BIOS on Windows. Correct the BIOS clock if needed. In the standard interface, select Cloud Recovery; in the gaming interface, press F7 for Advanced, then select ASUS Cloud Recovery.

Select Cloud Recovery > View Policy and review the terms. The age declaration requires you to select I am above the age of 20 years., so confirm it only when accurate. Select Agree > Next to continue.

Choose WiFi, select Confirm, enter the wireless password, then select Confirm > OK > Next. After the download, select OK. Select Continue if an expired-service notice appears.

To back up your files, select OK at the backup offer and complete the external storage and file selections. If your backup is already complete, select Cancel instead. Review the final whole-system reset warning and select OK to proceed.

If the firmware does not offer Cloud Recovery, use a supported WinRE route or recovery media. Entering the BIOS alone does not provide a factory restoration option.

Start recovery from a USB drive

For compatible models without usable internal recovery, find your exact laptop at the ASUS Download Center. Obtain MyASUS in WinRE For USB only when it is listed in that model’s downloads. Prepare a FAT32 USB drive larger than 2 GB.

Run the toolkit, choose a language, then select OK > Next. Select I accept the agreement, select Next, choose the destination USB location, then select Next > Install > Finish.

With the ASUS laptop fully off, hold Esc and press the Power button. Release Esc when the boot menu appears, select the USB drive, and press Enter. After it starts, complete the MyASUS in WinRE Cloud Recovery procedure, including the network connection, backup choice, and final reset confirmation.

A previously created Windows recovery USB offers another route. Boot it, choose the language and keyboard, then select Recover from a drive. Choose Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive, then select Recover. ASUS warns that this process can remove internal ASUS recovery partitions and functions.

Reinstall Windows when recovery is unavailable

Use a clean Windows installation when reset and supported ASUS recovery routes cannot be used. It removes files, applications, and ASUS customizations. Choose installation media matching your laptop’s processor architecture and licensed Windows edition.

For an Intel or AMD laptop, open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and select Download Now under Create Windows 11 Installation Media. Run the tool, select Accept, choose Create installation media for another PC, and select Next. Choose the appropriate language and edition, then choose USB flash drive.

For a Qualcomm or other Arm-based ASUS laptop, obtain the image from Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm64 download page. Choose the edition and language, select Confirm when requested, and use the Arm64 image to prepare compatible installation media. The x64 Media Creation Tool does not create Arm64 media, and model-specific drivers may be needed.

Boot the installation USB, choose the language and keyboard preferences, and select Next after each. Select Install Windows 11, then select I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings. Select Next, supply the licensed edition or product key when requested, and select Accept for the license terms.

At Select location to install Windows 11, identify the Windows disk before deleting anything. Use Delete Partition only for partitions on that target disk, select its unallocated space, then select Next > Install. Microsoft’s example uses Disk 0, but you must identify the correct disk on your laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you factory reset an ASUS Chromebook?

Sign out, then press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R. Select Restart > Powerwash > Continue. Follow the onscreen steps to set up the Chromebook; the first account you sign in with after the reset becomes the owner. For a managed work or school Chromebook, contact your administrator.

Does an ASUS Googlebook use Chromebook Powerwash?

The ASUS Googlebook 14 CX9406CAA uses a different reset procedure, which requires device administrator access, at least 70% charge, and your account credentials and device PIN or password. Open Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset), then select Erase all data. When the reset finishes, select the displayed restart option.

Can restoring BIOS defaults factory reset an ASUS laptop?

Restoring BIOS defaults does not perform a full factory restoration. EC and RTC resets also do not reinstall Windows or restore the ASUS factory image.

Can you restore factory settings from a system image backup?

Yes, but only if the backup captured the laptop in its factory condition. Otherwise, System Image Recovery restores the saved state of that backup, including whatever configuration it contained.

Can MyASUS start Cloud Recovery while Windows still works?

On supported laptops, open MyASUS > ASUS Apps & Deals > ASUS Switch > Cloud recovery, then select Confirm. If your app uses the other layout, open MyASUS > Customer Support > ASUS Switch > Cloud recovery, then select Confirm. The process continues in WinRE and requires a compatible model.

Do older ASUS Windows 10 reset instructions apply to Windows 11?

Older Windows 10 instructions use a different Settings path, so they do not match the Windows 11 menus. Ordinary Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.