Windows 10 is better and more trouble-free than its previous versions, but sometimes, your PC is sluggish, or you might get annoying error messages. To Factory reset windows 10 is probably the last option when facing technical difficulties with your device, and all the troubleshooting methods have failed.

Even when you want to sell or dispose of your computer or laptop, it’s best to wipe all the information off your machine before doing so because your device may have sensitive information or personal data stored on it. For all these reasons, it is crucial to know how to back up your files and factory reset windows 10.

If you need to perform a factory reset on a Windows 10 device, follow the instructions as we guide you through the reset process and have your device running smoothly again in no time.

What Is The Difference Between a Fresh Start and Windows 10 Reset?

A Windows 10 Reset is mapped out to reinstall Windows Operating System in its original OEM state when you bought it. Therefore, everything that came with your computer, all pre-installed third-party applications, and licenses, will get reinstalled.

A Windows Fresh Start resembles a reset, but it doesn’t preserve pre-installed third-party software, OEM, and licenses, which means it reinstalls Windows 10 from scratch.

Note: Windows version 2004 and older have combined the Fresh Start option into the Reset my PC option.

Does a Windows 10 Reset Save Images, Contacts, Documents, and Music?

When you reset your Windows 10, it saves personal folders such as My contacts, My documents, or videos. However, when asked during the reset, you must specify that you want to perform a full reset or a more limited one that keeps your important files intact.

We strongly recommend you back up all the files you require before factory reset because if something goes wrong, the reset will erase everything except OEM/ pre-installed software.

Factory Reset Windows 10 Using Reset your PC Option

Step 1: Open Settings

The Start menu is located on the toolbar of your Windows 10 PC/Laptop. Click the Start Menu then, Select Settings by clicking on the gear icon in the lower left. You can also search Settings on the adjacent search bar or select the Settings app from the app list.

Once you’ve got the Settings Menu loaded up, click on Update & Security to proceed.

Step 2: Choose Recovery Options

There will be several tabs on the left side of Updates & Security; click the Recovery tab.

Step 3: Choose Get Started Under Reset this PC

Now, click Get started under Reset this PC. You may want to look into a Recovery Drive to recover your Windows 10 from an external source.

Step 4: Choose To save Files or Remove Everything

At this point, you will be given two options- Keep my files or Remove everything. You can either choose to preserve your personal files and remove downloaded apps and settings, or you can wipe everything off and start from scratch.

If you select Keep my files, apps and settings will default to what they were when you bought the PC. You can turn off this setting by clicking the Change settings link.

If you choose to remove everything, you can still remove your important files while saving apps and settings. Click the Change settings link and switch on the Data erasure option.

Step 5: Choose How Would You Like To Reinstall Windows

For Windows PC with May 2020 Update or later, you will get two options to reinstall Windows 10- Cloud Download and Local Reinstall. The cloud option reinstalls Windows 10 with the latest version, whereas the local option uses existing installation data from your device.

At last, you will be given a breakdown of what changes will be made to your device if you restore it to factory settings. Look through it, click Restore, and the process will begin.

Step 6: Reset Your Computer

When you decide, click on Next, and Windows will inform you what will be deleted before you make a final call. If you have chosen Keep my files, you can look at a list of apps that will be erased when you reset your PC.

Finally, click Reset actually to begin the factory reset in windows 10. Now, wait for the resetting process to finish. This could take up to a couple of hours, depending on how much data is stored on your device or what type of reset you have opted for.

Step 7: Set Up Your Device

Once the reset is complete, set up your device again. Windows 10 will restart automatically, and from here, your device will be returned to a brand new state.

How To Perform a Factory Reset Without Logging In?

If you forgot the admin password for a Windows PC and you can’t log on to your device, don’t worry. Another method is available to factory reset Windows 10, giving you the same result as the above method; the process will be different.

Step 1: Start your computer and get to the Windows log-in screen. Press the on-screen power button and then press and hold the Shift key, then click the Restart option under the power menu.

Step 2: This will reboot your device, but rather than loading as a normally operating system, you will be shown the boot options menu. Click the Troubleshoot option.

Step 3: Click Reset this PC under the Troubleshoot option.

Step 4: If you want to save your files, you can choose the Keep my files option. If you want to erase everything, then choose the Remove everything option.

Step 5: The reset process will start once you select from the two options. Once the reset procedure is finished, you will be able to set up your device with a new user account without requiring any old admin password.

Now that you have read this article, you are capable of performing a Windows 10 factory reset. You can reset your device whenever you want to by following any of the above two methods. I hope this article was handy, and to read more like this one, click here.

Last Updated on August 30, 2021 by parinaparmar