For a normal Windows 11 reset, open Start → Settings → System → Recovery → Reset PC. Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows while preserving personal files, or Remove everything to wipe the handheld before selling or giving it away.
If “factory reset” means restoring the original ASUS drivers, utilities and handheld configuration, use ASUS Cloud Recovery from UEFI/BIOS or MyASUS in WinRE instead. Windows Reset installs Windows; ASUS Cloud Recovery is the closer match to the manufacturer image.
Choose the right reset method
| Situation | Recommended method | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows is slow or software is malfunctioning | Windows Reset → Keep my files | Reinstalls Windows, removes applications and settings, and keeps personal files. |
| You want a completely clean Windows installation | Windows Reset → Remove everything | Removes personal files, applications and settings. |
| Selling, gifting or recycling the Ally X | Windows Reset → Remove everything, with drive cleaning enabled if offered | Prepares the internal Windows installation for a new owner. |
| ASUS drivers, Armoury Crate SE or handheld features are missing | ASUS Cloud Recovery | Restores the ASUS operating-system and driver environment, then erases the Windows storage device. |
| Windows will not boot, or the SSD was replaced | ASUS Cloud Recovery from UEFI/BIOS, or MyASUS in WinRE | Provides a recovery route outside the normal Windows desktop when supported by the model and firmware. |
Microsoft explains that Reset this PC does not necessarily recreate an original manufacturer image; manufacturer recovery may be required for that result (Microsoft Learn). Availability of ASUS Cloud Recovery can depend on the Ally X model, firmware, recovery environment, network and regional support.
Back up everything before erasing the Ally X
A game can be downloaded again, but a local save or configuration file may not be recoverable. Before resetting, copy or verify:
#1 Best Overall
- 🖥️ High-Performance 7" Gaming & Productivity Display | 1920x1080 Glare TFT LCD with 120Hz refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth visuals for gaming & streaming; 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel + precision pointing device ensures intuitive control. Powered by Windows 11 Home 64-bit, this black handheld balances portability (11.4"x4.8"x1.1", 1.6 lbs) and immersive play.
- ⚡ Top-Tier AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor | 8-core/16-thread chip paired with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 onboard memory & 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast load times, seamless multitasking & crisp gaming graphics. Max power consumption of 65W optimizes performance without excessive energy drain.
- 🔋 Long-Lasting Battery & Flexible Power Options | 4-cell 80Wh lithium polymer battery offers up to 13.9hrs of video playback or 22.3hrs of idle use—ideal for all-day gaming marathons or remote work.
- 🎮 Professional Gaming Controls & Smart Features | Full layout with left/right sticks, D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, bumpers/triggers, 2 macro buttons & dedicated Xbox/display/library keys for customized gameplay. Built-in accelerometer/gyroscope for motion control; Windows Hello fingerprint recognition ensures secure, one-touch login.
- 🔌 Versatile Connectivity & Complete Accessories Kit | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4 for lag-free online gaming & device pairing; 2 Type-C ports (USB 4 + USB 3.2 Gen2) support data transfer, video output & PD charging.
- Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures and Videos.
- Game-save folders for games without a confirmed cloud-save service.
- Screenshots, recordings, mods, emulator saves and emulator BIOS files.
- Browser passwords, bookmarks and profiles.
- OneDrive contents and synchronization status.
- Files on the internal SSD that are not also on a microSD card or another backup.
- Microsoft-account access and authenticator methods.
- Your BitLocker recovery key. Microsoft says encrypted devices may request it during reset or recovery; check the Microsoft account associated with the Ally X before starting.
If a microSD card contains anything important, back it up and remove it. Do not assume every recovery route will leave removable storage untouched.
Preparation checklist
- Connect the Ally X to its AC charger and do not start with a nearly empty battery.
- Use reliable Wi-Fi if you will choose Windows Cloud download or ASUS Cloud Recovery.
- Remove unnecessary USB devices and disconnect storage that must not be erased.
- If selling or gifting, sign out of Microsoft, Xbox, Steam, Epic and other accounts, and remove the device from services with device limits.
- Have the BitLocker recovery key available.
- Do not hold the power button during a reset merely because the screen goes black. Microsoft warns that a black screen can last a long time and that a forced restart can make the reset fail.
Reset the Ally X from Windows 11
When Windows still starts
- Open Start.
- Select Settings.
- Open System → Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, select Reset PC.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- Review the summary and select Reset. Keep the charger connected until setup returns.
Keep my files
This is the usual first attempt for software problems. Windows is reinstalled, but installed applications and Windows settings are removed. Personal files in your user folders are intended to remain; still, back them up first.
Remove everything
Use this for a clean start or a device handoff. It removes personal files, applications and settings. If Windows offers Clean data, enable it when selling, donating or recycling. Microsoft describes this as making deleted data harder for another person to recover, not as certified government- or industry-grade erasure.
Cloud download versus Local reinstall
| Option | Source of Windows files | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud download | A fresh Windows image downloaded from Microsoft | Local recovery files may be damaged or missing and your network is reliable. |
| Local reinstall | Recovery files already stored on the Ally X | You want to avoid a large download and trust the local files. |
Windows Cloud download is not ASUS Cloud Recovery. The first obtains Windows; the second is intended to restore ASUS’s factory software environment.
Restore ASUS factory software with Cloud Recovery
Choose this route when you want the closest available equivalent to the Ally X’s original ASUS installation, including ASUS drivers and utilities. It erases the storage device containing Windows, so verify your backups first. ASUS estimates roughly one to three hours for UEFI Cloud Recovery, depending on network and device conditions.
Rank #2
- 🚀 AMD RYZEN AI Z2 EXTREME PERFORMANCE: Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme 8-core, 16-thread processor (up to 5.0GHz max turbo) with AMD Radeon Graphics and 24MB smart cache, delivering ultra-smooth performance for AAA gaming, AI workloads, and multitasking.(Japan Version. It can be used in the United States with the included plug adapter, and the system language can be switched to English for normal use.)
- 💾 24GB LPDDR5X RAM & 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD: Equipped with 24GB high-speed LPDDR5X onboard memory and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loading, and seamless multitasking across demanding applications.
- 🖥️ 7” FHD 120HZ TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY: Experience crisp visuals on a 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-level touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, responsive touch control, and vivid color reproduction for immersive gameplay.
- ❄️ ERGONOMIC DESIGN & INTELLIGENT COOLING: Designed for comfort during extended gaming sessions, featuring ergonomic grips and ROG’s advanced intelligent cooling system to maintain consistent performance under heavy workloads.
- 🎮 WINDOWS 11 WITH XBOX & PC GAME ECOSYSTEM: Runs on Windows 11, providing full compatibility with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms—offering a true hybrid experience that blends console-style gaming with PC flexibility.
UEFI/BIOS method
- Shut down the Ally X completely.
- Turn it on and press or hold the volume-down button until UEFI/BIOS appears. ASUS documents this control for the ROG Ally series (ASUS BIOS-entry guidance).
- Press F7 for Advanced Mode. An external keyboard or USB-C hub may be needed.
- Select ASUS Cloud Recovery.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and read the warnings. If the recovery environment offers a backup option, use it before confirming.
- Confirm the factory reset.
- Keep the charger and network connected while the image downloads, the Ally X restarts or the display appears black. Do not interrupt it.
ASUS’s UEFI Cloud Recovery instructions state that the process requires power and LAN or Wi-Fi and can erase data on storage devices in some multi-drive configurations. Read the exact confirmation screen; back up or remove any drive that must survive.
MyASUS in WinRE method
If Windows can reach the recovery environment and the option is present:
- Open Start → Power.
- Hold Shift while selecting Restart.
- Select Troubleshoot → MyASUS in WinRE.
- Choose Cloud Recovery, connect to Wi-Fi and back up files if offered.
- Confirm the reset and leave the charger connected.
ASUS describes this route in its MyASUS in WinRE Cloud Recovery guide. The Ally X has no built-in keyboard, so some WinRE operations require a USB-C adapter and external keyboard. ASUS also requires a supported Windows 11 installation, network access and external storage when using its backup feature.
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What Cloud Recovery does not guarantee
Cloud Recovery restores ASUS’s factory-default operating system and drivers; it does not promise the newest Windows build, BIOS, drivers or Xbox software. Afterward, run Windows Update, check ASUS/ROG driver and BIOS updates, update Armoury Crate SE and reinstall your launchers and games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Windows will not start
- Enter UEFI with the power and volume-down controls and select ASUS Cloud Recovery.
- Enter WinRE and choose MyASUS in WinRE if it is available.
- If ASUS recovery is unavailable, create official Windows installation or recovery media on another computer, or contact ASUS support.
ASUS specifically documents UEFI Cloud Recovery for systems that cannot be repaired in Windows. Keep the BitLocker key nearby; WinRE may request it.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Fix common reset and recovery problems
“There was a problem resetting your PC”
- Retry with Cloud download instead of Local reinstall.
- Confirm stable power and Wi-Fi.
- Use Shift + Restart → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC from WinRE.
- If ASUS software or drivers are missing, use ASUS Cloud Recovery.
- If no recovery option works, use official Windows installation media or ASUS support.
BitLocker requests a recovery key
Enter the key associated with the Microsoft account used on the Ally X. Losing it can complicate WinRE and recovery, so locate it before erasing the device whenever possible.
Cloud Recovery has no Wi-Fi or reports a network error
- Try another Wi-Fi network or a phone hotspot.
- Check that the UEFI clock is correct.
- Use a compatible wired Ethernet adapter if the recovery environment supports it.
- Install a BIOS update only when ASUS specifically recommends one.
- Try MyASUS in WinRE or USB-based recovery if UEFI Cloud Recovery remains unavailable.
ASUS notes that some Wi-Fi 6/6E devices connected to Wi-Fi 7 routers can have recovery-environment connection problems.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRepeated restarts or a black screen
Temporary black screens and several restarts can be normal. Keep power connected and wait. ASUS’s Cloud Recovery estimate is approximately one to three hours; Windows Reset has no fixed duration. Do not force-shut down unless the process has clearly exceeded the expected window or official support instructs you to do so.
The Ally X boots straight back into BIOS
Use ASUS’s advanced fallback: create MyASUS in WinRE for USB, temporarily disable Secure Boot, run Cloud Recovery from the USB environment, update Windows, back up the BitLocker key, then re-enable Secure Boot. Follow the detailed ASUS procedure at How to solve the problem of automatically entering BIOS after performing Cloud Recovery.
After the reset
- Complete the initial Windows setup and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Run Windows Update and install ASUS driver, BIOS and Armoury Crate SE updates as applicable.
- Reinstall Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store and other launchers, then redownload games.
- Restore backed-up saves, mods and settings.
- Reconfigure controller mappings, display, power and performance profiles.
For a sale or gift, stop at the first Windows setup screen instead of signing back in again.
Quick answer
Use Settings → System → Recovery → Reset PC → Remove everything for a clean Windows wipe. Use ASUS Cloud Recovery when you need the closest true factory restoration of the ROG Xbox Ally X’s ASUS operating system, drivers and utilities.
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