SIM/eSIM Setup Guide for Windows
Important information when you reset or reinstall Windows
When resetting or reinstalling Windows, the user gets the option to either preserve personal data or do a full reset. The status of your eSIM profile depends on the type of reset chosen.
- If you opt to reset or reinstall Windows while keeping your personal data, your eSIM profile is retained.
- If you choose to remove everything, including your files, apps, and settings, your eSIM profile is deleted. You must set up your eSIM profile again after the reset.
Methods for resetting and reinstalling Windows 11
Windows 11 reset can be done using one of three methods:
- In Windows, select .
-
- Restart your computer to get to the sign-in screen.
- Press and hold the Shift key, then select the Power icon.
- While holding the Shift key, select Restart.
A new screen opens after the computer restarts.
- Select .
-
- Select Start.
- Press and hold the Shift key, then select the Power icon.
- While holding the Shift key, select Restart.
A new screen opens after the computer restarts.
- Select .
NOTE:The Reset PC Wizard has a Settings page. Select . The Additional settings page normally follows the “How would you like to reinstall Windows?” page.
You can reinstall Windows 11 by downloading the Windows Installation media tool from Microsoft Software Download site. You can use the tool to create an installation media, for example, a USB flash drive to then install Windows on your machine.
In computers with the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery application, press F12 when the computer starts to enter the application.
NOTE:If you want to delete the user files, settings or applications,
but retain the eSIM profile, for example, when giving the computer to a new employee:
- Select .
- Select Remove everything.NOTE:This is applicable irrespective of cloud download or local reinstall.
- Click Change settings on the Additional settings page.
- Change Delete eSIM profiles? to No.
eSIM status for every reset and reinstall type
The table summarizes whether the eSIM is deleted or preserved for all the different types of reset and reinstall options:
| Reinstall or reset type | Reinstall or reset option | eSIM profile status |
|---|---|---|
| Reset Windows 11 | Keep my files | Preserved NOTE:Independent of the options: Cloud
download, local reinstall, or restore preinstalled apps. |
| Remove everything | Deleted NOTE:Independent of the options: Cloud download,
local reinstall, or restore preinstalled apps. |
|
| Remove everything/Change Settings/Delete eSIM profiles? = No | Preserved NOTE:While you click 'Change settings' the page
may have a title of 'Choose settings' |
|
| Remove everything/Change Settings/Delete eSIM profiles? = Yes | Deleted NOTE:While you click 'Change settings' the page
may have a title of 'Choose settings'. |
|
|
Reinstall Windows 11 using installation media |
Keep Everything (default) | Preserved |
| Keep Personal Data | Preserved | |
| Keep Nothing | Preserved | |
|
Clean install by booting from a USB drive with a Windows image |
Not applicable (This deletes and remakes all disk partitions) | Preserved |
|
Using Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.exe) |
Not applicable | Preserved |
|
Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery |
Reset to Factory Settings | Preserved |
|
Dell SupportAssist OS back-up files/disk cloning |
Backup | Not backed up NOTE:The eSIM profile is securely stored inside the computer and typically cannot be
backed up or transferred to another computer. |
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