In today’s connected world, Facebook-owned WhatsApp stands out as one of the most popular messaging platforms. With its expansive user base, it has firmly established itself across all major operating systems, including Windows 11/10, macOS, iOS, and Android. To enhance user experience, WhatsApp has thoughtfully provided an option to seamlessly use the platform on desktops in tandem with mobile devices. One of the pivotal features of the latest version of WhatsApp is its ability to function independently on a desktop, without the need for the paired mobile device to have an active internet connection. This means that even if your phone isn’t online, your WhatsApp Desktop will continue to send and receive messages uninterrupted. However, like any software, there might be times when you encounter hitches while trying to launch the WhatsApp Desktop on your Windows 11 or 10 system. Resetting the app is a potential solution to resolve these glitches. But a word of caution: resorting to this step will erase all stored data on the application. As a result, you’ll need to re-sign into the app to restore access. If you’re considering this route, here’s how you can reset WhatsApp on Windows 11 or 10.
How to Reset the WhatsApp Desktop app in Windows 11?
Follow these steps to reset the WhatsApp desktop app in Windows 11:-
Step 1: Start by opening Windows 11 Settings.
Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Windows + I. Or, right-click on the Start button and select Settings in the menu.
Step 2: Find and click on Apps in the left sidebar.
Step 3: Then, click on the Installed apps option on the right sidebar of Apps.
Step 4: On the “Installed apps” settings page, you will find a list of installed apps. Look for the WhatsApp entry. Alternatively, use the search bar to type and find WhatsApp quickly.
Step 5: Now, click on the hamburger menu icon (three vertically stacked dots) beside WhatsApp and select the Advanced options option in the pop-up menu.
On a side note, you should know that Windows doesn’t allow resetting apps if you’ve downloaded them from outside the Microsoft Store. So despite searching, if you don’t find “Advanced Options,” it’s likely because you have downloaded it from someplace else.
Step 6: In the next screen, scroll down to the Reset section and click the Reset button to reset WhatsApp.
Step 7: When you’ve done that, a small pop-up window will open, saying, “This will permanently delete the apps’ data on this device, including your preferences and sign-in details.” Click on the Reset button.
After completing the above steps, you will find a checkmark beside the Reset button. That means resetting is executed for your WhatsApp.
How to Reset the WhatsApp Desktop app on Windows 10?
Follow these steps to reset the WhatsApp desktop app on Windows 10:-
Step 1: Open Windows 10 Settings.
Step 2: Then click on the Apps.
Step 3: In that, go to Apps & features.
Step 4: On the right side of “Apps & features,” scroll down to the “WhatsApp” entry.
Step 5: Now, go to the hamburger menu icon (three vertically stacked dots) and then click the Advanced options link.
On a side note, you should know that Windows doesn’t allow resetting apps if you’ve downloaded it from outside the Microsoft Store. So despite searching, if you don’t find “Advanced Options,” it’s likely because you have downloaded it from someplace else.
Step 6: In the following screen, you must scroll down to the Reset section and click on the Reset button to reset WhatsApp.
Step 7: Once you do that, a small pop-up window will open, saying, “This will permanently delete the apps’ data on this device, including your preferences and sign-in details.” Click on the Reset button.
After completing the above steps, a tick mark will appear beside the Reset button. It means that your Whatsapp Desktop is completely reset.
That’s all.
Conclusion
In our digital age, messaging platforms like WhatsApp play a significant role in daily communication. With its wide reach, WhatsApp is available on various operating systems, including Windows 10 and 11. If you ever experience issues on the WhatsApp Desktop for these OS versions, the guide above offers clear steps on how to reset the app. Always remember that this action will erase all app data, so make sure to have backups if needed.
