Before you recycle, sell, or gift your Xbox or Windows PC

Reset a Windows 10/11 device

1. Back up any info that you want to save. 

2. Select Start​ > Settings  > Update & Security  > Backup > Add a drive, and then choose an external drive.

3. After you've backed up the info you need, select Start​  > Settings  > Update and security  > Recovery.

4. Under Reset this PC, select Get started, and then follow the instructions on the screen. Resetting your device removes your files, settings, and apps, then reinstalls Windows.

Reset an Xbox 

1. Back up your settings

2. Reset your console to factory defaults on Xbox

Remove a device from your Microsoft account

After you've backed up and reset your device, you should remove it from your Microsoft account. Here's how:

1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices, sign in, and find the device you want to remove.

2. Select Show details to see info for that device.

3. Under your device's name, select More actions > Remove.

4. Review your device details, select the box for I'm ready to remove this device, then select Remove.

You can then unlink the device from your Microsoft account so it doesn't affect your Microsoft Store device limit:

1. Sign in with your Microsoft account at https://account.microsoft.com/devices.

2. Find the device you want to remove and select Unlink.

3. Review your device details and select Unlink.

Related topics

• If you received a device that hasn't been reset, you can do a clean install.

• If you lost your Bitlocker key, go to Find my BitLocker recovery key.

• To learn how to rename a device, go to Manage your devices for Microsoft Store.

• If your device was lost or stolen, you can locate and lock it remotely—go to Find and lock a lost Windows device. For a stolen Xbox, go to Find out what to do if your Xbox gets stolen.

• If you're worried about the security of your Microsoft account, go to How to help keep your Microsoft account safe and secure.

Need more help?

Contact Support

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.