Click . Starting with Windows 10 version 2004, this option was replaced by the process described above, so use that if you're on a modern version. Simply insert the USB drive or disc containing your install media, then boot from the removable device. The laptop is reset back to its factory settings, and you'll need to register your Google account with the device again. Just remember that most applications wont have license information in Windows Explorer, but you can still search for valuable data. Click Get started to proceed. The Settings window will now appear. Power up your PC and tap [F8] until a menu titled Advanced Boot Options appears. How to factory reset a laptop | TechRadar Step 1: Reboot the Asus PC and the Aptio Setup Utility window will appear. This does not effect our editorial in any way. When it turns on the American Megatrends thing will at . You'll be greeted with the Windows setup screen, which you can proceed through to install a clean copy. If you'd like to extra safe, remove your old hard drive and replace it with a clean, empty one. When the Disk Utility appears, delete any drive volumes with "Data" labelstypically there'll be one Macintosh HD - Data entry that you need to select and delete. Turns out its a skill you can practice. Then it would jump up to 75%. where you can download all of your apps and personal files. This article explains how to factory reset a Lenovo laptop running Windows 11 or 10. This reinstalls the version of Windows 10 or 11 you're currently running (plus any minor updates), so it won't upgrade you to a newer feature update. There are two ways: Cloud download or Local reinstall. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). From there, choose the "Reset this PC" option once the results have popped up. Next time, you might not even need to reset Windows. This recovery environment helps diagnose hardware issues, backup files, repair the computer, or restore the computer to factory defaults. Your email address will not be published. Before you click on Start, just make sure you have all your critical files backed up. We are no longer racing to upgrade the device that sits at the center of our lives. reset your computer from a recovery partition. This will delete all your files . Since Windows 7 has been out of support for years, Microsoft no longer offers an official Windows 7 download. How to Factory Reset a Windows Laptop < Tech Takes - HP Here, select the "Update & Security" option found at the bottom of the window. Choose a name to give the disk once it's been reset; "Macintosh HD" will do just fine again, unless you've got a good reason to change it. It doesnt matter if you use it every day for essential work or just the occasional picture viewing. Tested. If you want to reinstall Windows 8.1 from scratch, you can use Microsoft's Windows 8.1 download tool. Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. Typically, a Windows 10 reset DOES NOT save game data or games. Choose Fully clean the drive to removing everything, then wipe the drive clean, and finally reinstall Windows from scratch. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. Restoring a laptop to factory settings is a completely automatic reinstallation of Windows with all applications and drivers that have been pre-installed by the manufacturer. Click Restart, and when the computer restarts, choose Powerwash and Continue . This installs the latest macOS version you were currently running, and you'll need to select the drive where the OS is located. However, if you factory reset with this method, you'll reinstall all the manufacturer bloatware. However, if you start over with the device, there are some extra steps, including checking for updates and missing drivers, and you want to reinstall your applications and restore your files from backup. Many applications have come to rely more heavily on the cloud, so your important data is most likely already backed up somewhere online, ready to be redownloaded. 2. Even if you plan to resell your device or you dont foresee yourself needing a backup, its good to have one just in case you need to reload files or put them on a new device. Select Recovery in the left-hand menu. Dell recommends using the SupportAssist OS Recovery on supported computers. Its also beneficial to factory reset Windows 10 occasionally to keep it working in optimal condition. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started . With that done, select Macintosh HDyour main startup diskand click Erase, then follow the prompts. In other words, make sure they're still backed up, just in case. Open up the command prompt and go to disk partition, where you can completely wipe out the drive. Join 425,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Resetting your computer, also known as restoring factory settings, is ideal when you want to reinstall your operating system for a fresh start or sell your computer to a third party. Failing this, Windows will launch Advanced Startup on its own after three failed boots. Starting the process is fairly simple. With Cloud download, the process will instead download a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft over the internet. Now that you know the buttons, let's use them. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There's also no way to factory reset your laptop without turning it on; you need power to perform all the above operations. Depending on your setup and installed version of Windows, you have a few different ways to factory reset a Windows laptop or desktop. Whats next for the phone? How to Reset an Android Tablet: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow The new algorithm is exclusive to ChatGPT Plus, OpenAIs subscriber-only service. 4 Ways to Reset Your Computer - wikiHow Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. I have forgotten the pattern, PIN, or password needed to unlock the Heres how it works. Are you not ready to do the hard reset today? 6 Easy Ways to Use Shortcut Keys to Shut Down a Windows PC, 4 Easy Ways to Paste Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts, How to Open Windows Task Manager: Menus, Shortcuts, & More, How to Increase the Volume on Your Computer: Windows and Mac. To launch this menu if Windows is working properly, on Windows 10, visit Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. The above reset process does not keep any of your settings. Then accept the suggested format. How to Factory Reset a Lenovo Laptop - Lifewire After you've put your computer back to square one, you're essentially starting from scratch, with the opportunity to load only the apps and files you really need. Exploring today's technology for tomorrow's possibilities. Its off by default, but its a good idea to turn it on if you're selling your laptop or giving it away. If you lack the Windows installation disc, youll be required to reset your computer using its built-in recovery partition. Therefore, all PREINSTALLED third-party applications and licenses that came with the device will get reinstalled. Reset and then go back to 6. All rights reserved. This can save you a lot of headaches searching for a disc that you may not have received. to erase everything on all drives you have connected to your computer. You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. To access Fresh Start, on the Settings > Update & Security > Recovery page, click the Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows link at the bottom. Once upon a time, this process was fraught with difficulty and danger. Hard reset using settings is the best and easy method on Everis E0114 . Choose your desired restore option: Remove everything- Removes all of your personal files, apps, and settings. For example, if you use OneDrive, the files may already be syncing on the computer; however, if they are not, you may need to reconfigure the app again. To run a Windows factory reset from boot (in case you can't get into Windows normally, for example), you can start a factory reset from the Advanced Startup menu. You're not going to get a worthwhile (i5/8GB) new laptop for under $800. Factory resets are the nuclear solution for many Windows issues. How to factory reset a PC using Windows | Asurion You can even schedule regular backups so you dont have to worry about losing important data if there are problems loading your OS. If you didn't already make one, you're best off making a new Windows install disk, as described in #2. Factory Reset, Restore, or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell computer It puts your Windows, macOS, or Chrome OS computer back to the state it was in when you first got it home from the store, and that means you've got none of the clutter, or bugs, that may have built up in the time since. When Windows reappears, if you've chosen the Remove everything option, you'll need to log in again from scratch using your Microsoft account credentials and put all your programs and files back in place. That's it. PCWorld helps you navigate the PC ecosystem to find the products you want and the advice you need to get the job done. Want to take control inside your dreams? It's going to be wiped, so make sure it's safely stored somewhere else. You can use the instructions for your specific operating system below to factory reset your Acer computer. Yes, Windows 10 preserves personal folders such as My Documents, My Videos, and My contacts when performing a Windows 10 Reset. 6 We select and review products independently. The most commonly collected data includes your OS activities and your personal information. The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid). Downloading Windows takes several gigabytes of data, so take care if you're on a limited connection. Turn this off and your factory reset won't include any apps that came with your initial setup. How to Factory Reset Windows 10 and Why You Should - Alphr We designed trials to compare our chatbot overlords from OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google. If you're on Windows 11, head to Settings > System > Recovery. You should try a basic reinstall first, but if it still doesnt give you the performance and decluttering boost you need, you can move on to a more comprehensive reset of your laptop. To reset Windows 10 to the factory default settings without losing your files, use these steps: Open Settings. A surface format leaves behind remnants of your files and the contents of your computer. Note: Before attempting a factory reset, you will want to make sure that all data and important information on your computer is backed up to a location that will not be erased during the factory reset. Six years ago, I moved my family into a 50-year-old RVnot just to see America, but to test my belief that anything worth fixing can be fixed. You can decide what to reinstall from scratch. Steam's Desktop Client Just Got a Big Update, The Kubuntu Focus Ir14 Has Lots of Storage, This ASUS Tiny PC is Great for Your Office, Windows 10 Won't Get Any More Major Updates, Razer's New Headset Has a High-Quality Mic, NZXT Capsule Mini and Mini Boom Arm Review, Audeze Filter Bluetooth Speakerphone Review, Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Review: Daily running shoes big on stability, Kizik Roamer Review: My New Go-To Sneakers, LEGO Star Wars UCS X-Wing Starfighter (75355) Review: You'll Want This Starship, Mophie Powerstation Pro AC Review: An AC Outlet Powerhouse, Warning: You Cant Trust Reset This PC on Windows (For Now), How to Factory Reset Your Windows 10 PC Using Command Prompt, How to Fix a WHEA Uncorrectable Error in Windows 10, When to Replace Your Old Computer or Laptop. Thankfully, the process is much easier than it used to be. Although Windows 10 is a reliable operating system, you can encounter many problems over time. Its an effective way to remove malware or your personal files if you plan on reselling your device. To reset Windows 10 to the factory default settings without losing your files, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the device will reset to the factory settings preserving your files during the process. If youre not ready to reset yet but will be in the future, you can set Windows 10 to backup your files and automatically keep them updated, between now and when you want to factory reset your laptop. New York, His work has been viewed over 100 million times. If you haven't already, signing up for a cloud storage service or attaching an external hard drive can help here. The feature even offers an option to use the original image instead of a custom manufacturer recovery image that may contain unwanted bloatware and configurations. 5. Once upon a time, this process was fraught with difficulty and danger; one false move and your photo library could be lost forever. It is much easier to do and provides a simpler process for those who may be implementing a reset for the first time. However, the laptops hard disk should have a special recovery partition, created by the manufacturer. " From the " Update & Security " menu,. On modern versions of Windows 10, and on Windows 11, you'll next have to choose how you want to reinstall Windows. Select Update and Security at the bottom of the menu. How to Factory (Hard) Reset a Laptop or Reinstall Windows 10, 8 or 7 Step 2: In Backup page, by default, you know MiniTool can choose the system drives used to boot the laptop to back up. This is also included in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and is the best way to factory reset a Windows computer in most cases. This message will be different, depending on which method you chose in the previous step. Factory Restore Reset Any Laptop using windows 10 reset - YouTube For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources: All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards. Windows Central is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Click on Update & Security. Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. One of the best ways to wipe the hard disk clean is to reset your Windows PC, and if youre running Windows 10, its relatively easy to do. Under the heading Reset this PC, select the Get Started button. To check for missing drivers, use these steps: Lastly, you want to restore your files from the backup. Pick Keep my files to reset Windows core settings and files without interfering with your personal stuff; pick Remove everything for a more comprehensive wipe, which means you'll need to add your files again later from your backup. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Review the apps to reinstall after the reset to factory settings. Visit the Apple website for more info about how to set up Time Machine. No matter which version of Windows you use, it may be worth it to set up regular backups for your system. If your computer is far slower than it once was, you have a malware infection that you can't remove, or plan to sell your machine, a reset is the most convenient option. Read more Select Remove everything. Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Restoring a laptop to factory settings is a completely automatic reinstallation of Windows with all applications and drivers that have been pre-installed by the manufacturer. You can also type "create a recovery drive" into the Start menu to access a tool that lets you make your own. In the Reset to factory settings: Confirm reset screen, use the Volume Down (-) button to highlight the Yes -- delete all user data option. If you are selling the device, you don't need to do anything else. However, tons of data get stored over time, some with your intervention but most without it. How to Factory Reset Laptop Easily in Windows 10/8/7 (3 Ways) 4. A list of Update & Security options will now appear in the left-hand pane. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. Here is how you can make the network adapter visible: Right-click Start > Device Manager. Click View apps that will be removed if you want to double-check which apps are affected by this process. Everis laptops from the Warehouse : r/newzealand - Reddit In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Recovery > Reset PC. Local reinstall uses files on your current system to construct a fresh copy of Windows. NY 10036. Are all your browser passwords and other data synced somewhere safe? The recovery process will be different depending on the file backup method. Its good practice to factory reset your computer when you sell or dispose of it, regardless of whether its a Mac or Windows PC. If your Windows 11 PC is slow or causing problems, you can reset it to the default factory settings, and here's how. Finally, Fresh Start keeps "some Windows settings," but doesn't specify which ones. For Windows 10, see how to install Windows 10 from a bootable USB drive. Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install any missing updates and drivers (if available). Before we look at how to factory reset Windows, you should ensure you have a recent backup of your data. Fresh Start always keeps your personal files, with no option to remove everything and do a full factory reset. You'll need to walk through the Windows setup procedure again once it's done. Youll know the process is finished when youre prompted with the license agreement. You don't want to leave anything behind. Click Get Started under Reset this PC. 2022 Acer Inc. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets. You'll see a list of actions that the process will perform. The location of your recovery partition and instructions for resetting your PC vary depending on your computers model and manufacturer. Confirm that there's no branch called "Other devices," which usually lists devices without drivers. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community. Windows 11 users should follow our guide to creating a Windows 11 bootable drive, which you can then install a new copy of Windows from. It can take several minutes for your laptop to perform this process. In the Reset this PC window, youll see two options: Keep my files or Remove everything.. Before the reset starts, click Change settings to choose whether the Data erasure feature is enabled; this essentially overwrites data on disk and makes sure it can't be recovered. This looks like a cog wheel, and it is where you will access all of the major settings on your laptop. You have several options for factory resetting a Windows computer. Also, ask about the battery health if it matters to you. Open Settings. Marshall is a writer with experience in the data storage industry. Start by clicking on "Start Menu -> Settings." Then, select "Update & Security." Alternatively, type " Reset " without quotes into the " Cortana search box. Acer computers allow you to restore the system to factory settings without recovery disks or media. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Reset-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Reset-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid7132811-v4-728px-Reset-Your-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"