Resetting a computer can fix all kinds of issues that might be plaguing your machine. Whether it’s a hard drive failure, performance problems or an issue with an application that won’t load properly, doing a Windows 10 computer reset can help get your computer running smoothly again.
Before you do a factory reset, make sure you’ve backed up any important data and files on your computer. This includes all your personal information, including photos and documents. You’ll also need to back up the files on your hard drive, in case the reset isn’t successful.
To do a factory reset, go to the Recovery tab on the left panel of the Windows Start menu and select Reset this PC. This will bring up a screen that lists all of the actions the computer will take.
Choosing the correct option for your needs can be challenging, but it’s possible to do a complete restore of the entire computer. You can choose to keep all of your files and settings (Keep my files), wipe out all of your files, apps, and data (Remove everything) or clean the drive.
If you’re resetting your computer because it’s malfunctioning or you’re about to sell it, choosing the remove everything option is a good idea. That way, the next person won’t be able to recover any of your data, and it’s easy to do a clean install of a new version of Windows.
You can also choose to do a local reinstall, which will allow you to reinstall the operating system from the installation files on your computer. This can be a great solution for those with limited space on their hard drive, or those who want to reinstall Windows without all of the manufacturer bloatware that comes with most new computers.
Once you’ve chosen the correct option, click ‘Next’ to proceed with the reset process. The computer will reboot, and it will take several minutes for the operation to finish.
After the restart, your computer will enter the Windows Recovery Environment. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to create a recovery drive. This can be an external USB drive, or it can be a hard disk that you use to create a bootable image of your computer’s hard drive.
When you’re done creating the recovery drive, follow these instructions to get it ready for use:
1. Connect the drive and run the software.
2. You’ll be prompted to create an account and enter a password.
3. You’ll then have the option to create an account, log in and choose your preferences for the new OS.
4. If you don’t have a recovery drive, you can also try to create one from scratch using the Windows Recovery Tools that are available in the Start menu.
5. Conclusion: Alternatively, you can use a USB thumb drive to do a factory reset from boot. If you can’t access the Windows Recovery Environment, you can also try the “Reset this PC” option on the Troubleshoot menu of the Advanced startup settings.