How to Reset Windows PC

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Sell or give away your computer. The best option is factory reset. This comprehensive PC factory reset instruction covers everything. Learn about factory restatements’ purpose. How to use different computer models and address problems.

Part I: Factory Reset or Reinstall Windows 10: The Right Choice

Clean and remove any personal data before selling or donating your old computer to avoid leaks. You may factory reset or reinstall Windows 10. But how do you decide whether it fits your needs?

Try to start by understanding what each option relates to:

  • Factory settings will delete all personal settings and information on your computer. This means that all your installed programs, files and media will be lost. Basically, it will bring your PC back to its original condition. However, the minimum file required for Windows operation will still be kept.
  • Reinstalling Windows 10, by the way, retains your personal files and some settings, but your programs will be deleted. You will have to reinstall when the reinstallation process is complete.
  • Then which option should you choose. If you are selling or giving up your PC, factory reset is the way to go. This ensures that the new owner will start with a new live slot. However, if you just want to get rid of unnecessary mess and start over, reinstalling Windows 10 might be a better option.

Part II: How to reset your PC without losing data and password

Factory reset without data loss

Now that you understand what a factory reset involves compared to a reinstallation of Windows 10, let us explore how to run factory settings without losing your data. There are several ways you can use: Reset from inside Windows, use partition recovery or backup before making a reset. We will take you through each method.

Method 1: Factory reset from inside Windows

The simplest and easiest way is to make a factory setup directly from your Windows 10 interface. Windows lets you save personal files. Here’s how:

  • Startup > Settings > Update & Security
  • Select Recover in the left bar.
  • Click “Start” under “Reset this PC” and “Save My Files” or “Delete Everything”. Keep your own data or start over.
  • Select and click “Reset”.
  • Resetting Windows may take time.

You must setup Windows as if you were unwrapping and opening your PC after the reset.

Method 2: Factory Resetting Using the Recovery Partition

The second method is slightly more involved but still relatively simple. This method requires a recovery partition, a special part on your hard drive designed for recovery purposes. Follow these steps:

  • Restart PC.
  • Press and hold F2/F10/F8/DEL to open Advanced Boot Options during boot.
  • Select “Repair Your Computer” from the list.
  • The System Recovery Options dialog appears.
  • Open Command Prompt
  • In Command Prompt, type “rstrui.exe” without quotes and click Enter.
  • It launches the system repair tool. Click “Next.”
  • Choose a restoration point and click “Next.”
  • Check your choice and click “Finish.”

Windows will then initiate the restore process, which might take some time. Once completed, you’ll be prompted to set up Windows 10 as if it were a brand new PC.

Method 3: Backing Up before Factory Resetting Your PC

The previous methods cater to those who want to retain their files during a factory reset. However, if you wish to reset the PC while keeping your existing data in another location, backing up is an excellent option. Creating a full backup image is considered the best method. You can utilize software like Windows Backup and Restore (Windows 7) or third-party backup software to complete this task.

Factory reset without a password

Don’t panic if you forget your Windows password. Factory settings are still available upon login. So how:

  • Network settings and Windows access choices are in the lower right corner of the login screen. Select Restart while holding Shift.
  • The boot options menu appears after restarting your PC. Proceed by clicking troubleshooting.
  • Select “Reset this PC” in Troubleshooting.
  • Choose to save your files or reset your Windows PC by erasing all files and settings. “Save My Files” or “Delete Everything” will save or reset your data.

These solutions let you reset your PC without losing data or account access. Pick an approach that suits you.

Part III: Special tips for reset Lenovo/HP/Acer laptops

In this previous section, we focused on how to reset the common factory settings for computers. However, if you own a Lenovo, HP or Acer laptop, you may have specific questions about resetting your device. Try exploring how to re-set each laptop brand:

#1: Reset Lenovo laptops using Lenovo OneKey Recovery (OKR)

Factory-specific Lenovo laptop resets use this approach for Yoga and Ideapad models. Check your device for a Novo button. This button is usually near the power button in the upper left corner. Reset your Lenovo desktop with these steps:

  • Select “System Recovery” from the New Button menu after holding the Novo button for a few seconds.
  • Select “Recover from original backup” for factory settings.
  • Wait for the procedure after clicking “Start”. Complete setup by following screen prompts.

#2: Reset HP Laptop

Whether you are using a HP desktop or laptop, the HP factory reset process will remain the same. Following the general methods described in the previous section.

#3: Reset Acer Aspire

How to access the boot options menu on your Acer Aspire laptop will be different from the standard method. See the linked video for a detailed guide on resetting your acer aspire laptop.

Part IV: Factory reset your PC from boot.

This section will investigate the factory reset of your PC from the boot process. It covers actions you can do when your PC fails to boot normally, which requires factory settings.

When you reset your PC from the factory from the boot, you will use the advanced recovery function. This involves starting your computer with a recovery disk or bootable USB drive to access Windows Advanced Recovery.

Follow these steps to make a factory setup from the boot:

  • Create a bootable USB drive using third-party software or download Windows Installation Media. Make sure the USB drive has a capacity of at least 16 GB.
  • Once the bootable USB drive is ready to access your computer’s BIOS/UEFI and set the USB as your first boot device, insert the USB and restart your PC.
  • The Windows installation screen will appear. Search for the “Repair Your Computer” option in the lower left corner of the screen.
  • Click on “Repair Your Computer” and an advanced recovery screen will appear. Select “Problem Solving” > “Reset This PC”.
  • The next step for factory reset PCs from this point is the same as the general method described earlier. Choose from two reset options: “Save My Files” or “Delete Everything”.
  • Once you have selected Windows to complete processing,

Once completed, your computer will return to the original configuration process and you can charge it.

Part V: Fixed “There is a problem with resetting your PC”

Some users may encounter an error message stating “There is a problem when resetting your PC. No changes” while trying to reset from factory. While this article focuses on factory reset. It is important to know how to fix such a problem. Follow the steps below to solve the problem.

  • Press Windows + R to open the runbox, then enter “cmd” and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
  • Copy and paste the following command line into the command guide window and press the Enter button to run it: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  • Restart your computer and try to reset your PC from factory again.

Part VI: Bonus Tips – Recovering Files After Resetting Your PC Hard

If you do not intend to reset your PC without backing up your data, no need to be afraid. Data recovery software can help you retrieve your lost files. We recommend using WinfrGUI. An easy-to-use program that can recover deleted files from various storage devices including hard drives, memory cards and USB flash.

To recover lost files after factory reset using WinfrGUI, follow these steps:

Note: Install EaseUS data recovery software on separate drives, not formatted disks, to get the best chance of successfully recovering data.

  • Step 1: Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and select the hard drive partition you formatted by mistake. Click on “Find Lost Data” to start the scanning process.
  • Step 2: The software will start scanning all data and missing files. After the scan is complete, click on “Filter” to reduce search results by file type, or use the search box to find specific files.
  • Step 3: View the scanned file and select the file you want to recover. Click on “Recover” and select a new location or cloud drive to store the recovered file.
Download WinfrGUI Free

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide should provide the necessary knowledge and guidance to successfully reset your PC. If you have any further questions, please ask in the comments section below and we will be happy to help you. Thanks for reading!

>>Also Read: How to Get Back Deleted Files: 4 Methods