How To Factory Reset Windows 10 (2024)

Resetting a Windows 10 computer to its factory default settings is a useful troubleshooting technique to resolve software issues or prepare the system for resale or donation. This process erases all data, applications, and settings from the hard drive, returning the system to its original state. This guide explains how to factory reset Windows 10.

Before proceeding with the factory reset, ensure that you have a backup of any important files, documents, or settings that you want to keep. Also, make sure that you have the necessary installation media or recovery drive, as the process will delete all data on the hard drive and reinstall the operating system.

To perform a factory reset of Windows 10, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon on the taskbar, and then click on the gear-shaped Settings icon.

  2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.

  3. Click on the Recovery option in the left sidebar.

  4. Under the Reset this PC section, click on the Get started button.

  5. Choose either the Keep my files or Remove everything option. The former will only remove applications and settings, while the latter will erase everything on the hard drive.

  6. If you chose to keep your files, you may be prompted to choose which files you want to keep. If you selected to remove everything, you may be prompted to choose whether you want to fully clean the drive or just remove the files.

  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset process. This may take some time, depending on the system configuration and the amount of data on the hard drive.

After the factory reset is complete, you will need to go through the initial setup process again, such as setting up a user account, configuring the time zone and language settings, and installing any necessary drivers or applications.

In conclusion, a factory reset is a useful troubleshooting technique to resolve software issues or prepare a system for resale or donation. However, it erases all data, applications, and settings from the hard drive, so it's important to have a backup of any important files or settings before proceeding with the process.

How To Factory Reset Windows 10 (2024)

FAQs

How To Factory Reset Windows 10? ›

To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.

Is there a way to force factory reset Windows 10? ›

To factory reset your Windows 10 PC, follow these steps: “Start” > “Settings” > “Update & security” > “Recovery” > “Reset this PC” > “Get started,” then follow the on-screen prompts.

How to completely wipe a PC in Windows 10? ›

How to Remove All Data from Windows 10 Laptop PC:
  1. Click Update & Security.
  2. Go to the left-hand side, scroll down and click on Recovery.
  3. From there, go to Reset this PC. ...
  4. A prompt will appear with two options, Keep My Files or Remove Everything. ...
  5. Click the Change settings option.
  6. Turn the Data Erasure toggle switch to on.

How to completely wipe a PC before selling? ›

How to wipe your computer hard drive
  1. Go to “Settings.”
  2. Choose “System” on the left side menu.
  3. Click “Recovery.”
  4. Click “Reset PC.”
  5. Choose “Keep my files” (removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files) or “Remove everything” (removes apps, settings, and your personal files).
Sep 4, 2023

How to reset Windows 10 password without security questions? ›

Step 1: First, connect a USB disk to your computer. In the Windows 10 search box, type Create a password reset disk and choose the first result. Step 2: In the Forgotten Password process, click Next, choose the USB disk, and then click Next again. Step 3: Enter your existing account password and press the Next button.

How to hard reset Windows 10? ›

To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps? to No.

How do I factory reset Windows 10 without the Start menu? ›

Answer: Follow these simple steps below:

Press shift and click on ''Restart''. The system will guide you through the troubleshooting section. Click on ''Reset my PC''.

How do I wipe my computer 100%? ›

How to reset your PC in Windows 10
  1. Open the Settings from the Start menu.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. Click Recovery on the left-side menu, then click Get started under Reset this PC.
  4. Click Remove everything.
  5. Select an option for reinstalling Windows, then click Change settings on the next screen.
  6. Flip the Clean data?
Jan 27, 2022

How do I do a full system wipe on my computer? ›

Factory reset on Windows
  1. Click Start, then Settings.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. Click Recovery. Under “Reset This PC,” click Get Started.
  4. Click Remove everything. Junk files and malware might remain if you choose “Keep my files.”
Aug 12, 2023

How to factory reset Windows 10 from BIOS? ›

Performing a Factory Reset from BIOS (Microsoft Windows)
  1. Power on or restart the workstation.
  2. Enter the BIOS by tapping either the right or left bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap Advanced, and then tap Special Configuration.
  4. Tap Factory Recovery.
  5. Select Enabled from drop-down menu.
  6. Tap Home.
  7. Tap Save and Exit.

Can you really wipe a computer clean? ›

Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Reset PC. When asked what you want to erase, select Remove everything. Choose Local reinstall to reinstall Windows from this device, since it will run faster than the cloud download.

How to reset computer for new owner? ›

For Windows 10, go to the Start Menu and click on Settings. Then navigate to Update & Security, and find the Recovery menu. Next, select Reset this PC and choose Get Started. Follow the instructions to revert your computer to when it was first unboxed.

How do I wipe my computer clean before giving it away? ›

Let's see what those steps are:
  1. Open the Settings of the system.
  2. Click on 'Update & Security'
  3. Go to 'Recovery' option in the menu on the left side.
  4. Choose the option 'Get Started' under the Reset This PC.
  5. Select 'Remove Everything' from the dialogue box that pops up like the one below.

How do I bypass the Windows password if I forgot it? ›

Boot your computer and immediately press on the F8 key repeatedly until your computer displays the boot menu. With the arrow keys, choose Safe Mode and press the Enter key. On the home screen click on Administrator. If you have no home screen, type Administrator and leave the password field as blank.

How to unlock Windows 10 forgot password? ›

Re: How to reset Windows 10 password when locked out?
  1. Restart the computer: Restart the computer to the login screen.
  2. Click the reset password link: On the login screen, click the "Reset Password" link.
  3. Start the wizard: This will start the "Forgot Password Wizard".

How to open Windows 10 without a password? ›

Type netplwiz in the search on the taskbar and press enter, select your user, if the "user must enter a username and password to use this computer" box is NOT checked, please check it , click Apply. Then uncheck the box and click Apply.

How do I force my computer to reset? ›

Factory reset on Windows
  1. Click Start, then Settings.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. Click Recovery. Under “Reset This PC,” click Get Started.
  4. Click Remove everything. Junk files and malware might remain if you choose “Keep my files.”
Aug 12, 2023

How do I factory reset Windows 10 when it wont boot? ›

How do you wipe a computer if it won't turn on? If your computer doesn't turn on, you can click on the power button and constantly hit the f11 or Shift button that will redirect you to the advanced setting of the computer, where you can factory reset your PC.

What is the Command Prompt for factory reset Windows 10? ›

To reset your Windows 10 PC, you'll need to use the factory reset command in the Command Prompt window. You can type systemreset –factoryreset in the Command Prompt window and press Enter to factory reset Windows 10. You'll have the option to either keep or remove your files before Windows reinstalls.

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