Sometimes, all you can do to a troublemaker is leave them alone. You will also do this with your computer when it starts struggling. You might have faced so many issues with your computer setup that you have decided to sell it off to relax your mind and buy a new one.
But how can you let another person take over your things on the computer? The computer is the device on which we save all our personal information.
Even the browsers we use on our computer have so many of our credentials, so how can you throw them away to some other guy? No, you can’t; you must first delete all the belongings available on the computer, and then you can sell if off.
How can you remove all of your data so easily? It will be so tiring for you. But, here’s a magic. The computer can delete all the data from the device and make it just like you bought it from the store. That option is called a
Factory Reset
As you can see, the name is factory reset; this option will help you remove all of your settings and make that device just like the factory manufactured it. But how can you do this? How can you make your computer just like it was before?
Relax; we will guide you on easy factory resetting your computer device without even taking it to some expert. Also, don’t forget that this option can not only be availed when selling your device, but you can also do the factory reset if you think your computer is not performing well or having some issues.
If you do the factory reset, it might correct the issue it is having. Let’s see how you can factory reset your Windows computer.
What is Factory Reset?
Factory reset means making your computer return to its condition when it was at the factory all new. It will remove all the settings of your computer. It will make it look like you just bought it when your computer has different issues like inability to perform like it was, hanging issues, or anything.
A recovery option in the computer will resolve all the issues in your computer, but this option will also remove all the saved settings. So, it is important to first save or shift all the data to another device so that you can save your data. And then, after saving, you can go for the factory reset option. Let’s see how you can factory reset your Windows computer.
How You Can Factory Reset Your Windows Computer
1. Make Sure To Back Up:
Before doing the factory reset on your computer, do a backup of all the data in your computer so it can be saved somewhere. When you do the factory reset, no doubt it will ask you whether you want to save or delete your data.
Even if you do the factory reset while saving the data, there is a chance of losing some files from the date. So why take a chance? Just do the backup of your device so that you won’t lose anything from the computer.
2. Factory Reset In Windows 10, 11:
If you are using Windows 10 and want to do the factory reset. You will have two options: do the factory reset while preserving your files or delete everything from the computer. Let’s see how you can factory reset the computer with Windows 10 without losing files. Follow the following steps to do so.
- To get the window 10 factory reset option in the computer, you have to go to the SETTINGS
- From settings, you will see the options saying UPDATE AND SECURITY; choose that one.
- And then go for the RECOVERY option.
- You will see the header of RESET THIS PC; under that header, there will be an option of GET STARTED.
- Click that button, and you can go to the next step.
If you are using Windows 10 :
- Go to the SETTING of the computer
- Scroll down, and you will see the option SYSTEM.
- Go to that option and select RECOVERY.
- Choose the option saying RESET THIS PC.
- And it will start the process
All the next steps are the same for both Windows 10 and 11. if you are using these windows, do the steps similarly for both.
3. Window Will Ask: Keep Your File Or Delete?
In the next steps, the window will ask whether you want to keep the data in the computer or delete everything. You will get these two options on your screen on Windows 10 or Windows 11, and it will be like KEEP MY FILE or REMOVE EVERYTHING.
If you still need to do the backup thing or have it but still want to keep your data from the computer, then you can go for the KEEP MY FILES. In this option, your all options will return to their default ones and remove all the installed apps on your computer.
Remember that keeping the files does not include the apps or data. You won’t get app data in any condition. It will delete all the apps like browsers, games Microsoft Office but keep all your computer files. Although it will keep your data safe, you should still do the backup before the factory reset if anything goes wrong.
If you go to the other option, REMOVE EVERYTHING, which is a full factory reset. It will remove all the settings and make them return to the default ones. It will remove all your computer’s data, apps, and games. It will make your window like the brand new one.
Always remember that doing a factory reset means you are also deleting the window, so it is very important to reinstall the window. After doing this step will give you two options; you have to choose one from them. You want to reinstall your window through CLOUD DOWNLOAD or LOCAL REINSTALL.
Local Reinstall
if you choose this option, it will use the already available files in your computer to create a fresh new window. N this process, you don’t have to download any software or any file from the internet, but here is some advice: don’t go for this option if your window installation is corrupt. Because it won’t work with corrupted windows.
Cloud Window:
opposite to the local reinstall, it will download the fresh window copy from the internet through Microsoft. It will reinstall the Windows version you are already using; for example, if you are using Windows 10, it will reinstall Windows 10 and vice versa. Also, it will download any minor update of that window if it is available. This option is way faster than the local reinstall, but only if you have high-speed internet, as this download will require several Gigabytes of data.
Next, it will give you the additional settings box or menu that will show you your computer’s current settings; it will give you the image of what you have selected for your window until now.
In the earlier settings, if you have chosen the KEEP MY FILES option, then it will give you two options in CHANGE SETTING: one will be the DOWNLOAD WINDOW, and the other will be RESTORE PREINSTALLED APPS.
The second option will only appear in Windows 11 or the latest version of Windows 10. you have to turn this off so the factory reset setting will not include any initial setup apps.
When you choose the option REMOVE EVERYTHING, it will enable the CLEAN DATA settings and wipe out everything available in your drive so that no one can restore these settings later on. This process will take some time, and it is advisable only to use this option if you sell your computer to someone else.
4. Confirm Window Factory Reset Operation:
If you have done with all the settings now it is time to confirm all the settings and run your window factory reset process. When you choose the CONFIRM, it will show the final screen saying READY TO RESET THIS PC.
It will give you the summary of what steps are going to be done in this reset process. Click on the VIEW APPS THAT WILL BE REMOVED, and double check all the apps that are going to be removed permanently from your computer.
At the final step, choose RESET, and then sit and wait for the whole process to complete. If you do a factory reset of the laptop make sure you are doing it whole connecting your laptop to the power source so that its battery will go dead. After the process is completed, make sure you will follow the recommended steps after reinstalling the window.
5. Reinstall Window Using Window Installation Media:
Some people don’t have Windows 10 or 11 on their computers, if you are one of those you can reinstall or factory rest Windows 10 or 11 without the settings menu. This method is beneficial for downloading a fresh copy of the window on your computer and with this, it will also wipe out everything from your computer.
This is another method for factory resetting the window. This step can be possible if you don’t he a spare or extra flash drive with you. Other than this if you are willing to download or reinstall window 8.1 not from any copy but the fresh one.
You can use different tools available for the download, on the internet you will find certain tools with the help of which you can easily download your window 8.1. you just have to insert the flash drive or any other disc that has the installed media, then all you have to do is boot from the removable device.
It will begin the whole process of setup with window setup screen, then you can proceed through it to install a clean copy of new window. But do remember it will not ask you either you want to save your data or not, it will automatically remove all the save data from your computer without even your permission.
So, before starting with this process make sure you do the backup of all the data in your computer so that can save it at some place.
As long as window 7 is concern, this window has not been in use for many years. Now even mostly people don’t even recommend it . if you check Microsoft to download this window you wont get it as Microsoft has already deleted the offer of window 7. also if it is not available on Microsoft then don’t download it from any other random website as it may contain virus in it.
Factory Reset Window From Boot Using Advanced Method:
All the methods that we have discussed above are efficient in all ways but still if you want to go for the advanced ways to reset your computer window then you can follow these steps to do the advanced way or reset.
To start with this process, even if your window is working properly and you are not facing any issues in it just go to the SETTINGS of the computer from start button.
In the settings, you will see the option UPDATE & SECURITY. Choose that option and proceed further, select the next option RECOVERY. From the top menu you will see the ADVANCED STARTUP, under that heading find the option of RESTART NOW to reboot your computer into the advanced startup.
If you are using the window 11, simply go to the SETTIGS, find SYSTEM, and the go for RECOVERY option. Same as before lastly click the RESTART NOW in advanced startup.
If you don’t want to get through this process, you can do the alternate way, open up the START menu and now expand the power menu , at that point hold the SHIFT key when you click the RESTART button.
If you cant do any of these or want to know the other option, press the F11 as you boot , this option will open the advanced startup on some system.
Window will then open up the advanced startup on its own when the three boots fail to success. Once this option is open, choose the TROUBLESHOOT, then go for the RESET THIS PC. This option will do all the same process as we have do in the first one.
Also you can do this thing, type “CREATE A RECOVERY DRIVE” into the start menu to access a tool that lets you make your own. But for this process you will need more space in your computer which might not be the possibility.
Conclusion
Factory reset is the option that we use when we have to sell our computer to any other person so that he cant get any of our data or files. Also whenever you are getting any issues in your computer you can do the factory reset, this will help you to reset all your settings to its original one.
And this option will solve many of the computer issues without any expert help. But make sure to save your files or data available in your computer as there is huge chances of loss of data while factory reset.
In this article we have shared many ways with the help of which you can easily do the factory reset of your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
Q: Can We Have Our Data Save Without Backing It Up At Some Place?
Ans: Yes, t will give you the option to either delete all the data or save only files. You can choose save only files but there is still some chances of losing your data. So, backing up is the best option to save it.
Q: Can I Install The New Window After Factory Reset?
Ans: Yes, you can install . in fact you can install the window in between this process.