How to factory reset on Windows 10
How to factory reset on Windows 10
Here’s how to factory reset a Windows 10 device
(Image
credit: Charnsitr/Shutterstock)
Knowing how to
factory reset on Windows 10 will help you take the nuclear option if all else
fails with your Windows 10 device.
Having to factory
reset is typically a last resort if you’re experiencing technical issues with
your device, but if all other troubleshooting methods have failed then
sometimes you need to reset back to day zero. For this reason, it’s very useful
to know how to factory reset on Windows 10.
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If you’re worried
about losing personal files, Windows 10 has a pretty useful option that allows
you to factory reset your device while still keeping all your files. You’ll be
asked during the reset process if you want to perform a full reset or a more
limited one that keeps your files intact.
If you need to
perform a factory reset on Windows 10, then just follow the steps below and
we’ll guide you through the process. With these instructions, you’ll have your
device running smoothly again in no time.
How to factory reset on Windows 10
1. Select Settings from the Start Menu. The start menu is
found on the toolbar of your Windows 10 device. Just click the Windows icon in
the bottom left corner of your screen. You can also use the adjacent search
bar; just type in ‘settings.’
2. Select Updates and Security from the Setting Menu. Once
you’ve got the Settings Menu loaded up, select 'Updates and Security' from the
list of options. If you’re having trouble locating it, just can use the search
bar at the top of the window to easily find it.
3. Select Recovery from the Updates and Security Menu. Along the left-hand
side of the 'Updates and Security' menu there will be several different tabs;
'Recovery' is the one we need to select. If you’re having issues spotting it,
feel free to make use of the search bar at the top.
4. Click Get Started under Reset this PC. Now that you’re
in the 'Recovery' tab at the top of the window, you should see a heading marked
‘Reset this PC’ and underneath that is a short paragraph of text and a button
labeled ‘Get started.’ Click this button.
5. Chosen to remove everything or keep files. You will now be given
a choice: ‘Remove everything’ or ‘Keep my files.’ This is fairly
self-explanatory, but essentially the former will wipe your entire device,
whereas the latter will wipe your device but preserve your personal files.
6. Decide if you want to wipe the whole drive (if you selected
‘Remove everything’ in the previous step). Selecting ‘Keep my
files’ will start the reset process, so skip to the next step. If you select
‘Removed everything,’ you will be faced with an additional options screen. Here
you are given the choice of whether you want to just remove files from your
device or completely wipe the drive. We recommend the second option if you want
to fully reset your device.
7. Confirm that you want to reset. Before the process
begins fully, Windows 10 will ask for final confirmation that you definitely
want to reset your device. This is the point of no return, so make sure you
absolutely do want to go through with wiping your device before
confirming.
8. Let the resetting process finish. Now that you’ve
selected to reset your Windows 10 device there is nothing to do but wait for
the process to be completed. Depending on what type of reset you’ve opted for,
as well as how much is stored on the device, this could take up to a couple of
hours.
9. Set up your device
again. Once
the reset is complete, Windows 10 will automatically restart and from here your
device should be returned to the state in which it was brand new. Now you can
set it up again.
