HOW TO DO A FACTORY RESET ON WINDOWS 10
On average, a computer is replaced every 5 years. Like any other device, your Windows 10 computer can sometimes stop working as it should. Whether you’re trying to get things back on track, or you’re ready to upgrade and pass on a device to a friend or colleague, you may want to do a factory reset. In this article, you will learn how to do a factory reset on Windows 10 to get your computer running smoothly again.
After you have decided to do a factory reset, set aside enough time for work. If you want to keep the device, first back up your data. Expect the reset to take two to three hours. When you’re ready, follow these steps to restore your Microsoft Windows computer to factory settings
1. OPEN THE RECOVERY TOOL
First, click on the Start menu in the lower left corner and open the settings menu by selecting the gear icon. Alternatively, you can type “Settings” directly into the search bar and double-click when it appears. Once you’re in Settings, select “Update & Security” in the lower left corner of your screen
2. SELECT RECOVERY OPTIONS
A new window will appear, with the option to keep your files or remove them all. If you want to delete all your personal data and pass the computer on to a new user, click on the “Remove everything” button. Otherwise, select “Keep my files” to refresh the device and keep the data. This option also allows you to see a list of applications and settings that will be deleted from the computer.
If you want to delete everything, you will be asked to confirm once more before continuing. In addition, you can remove the data by clicking “Just remove my files” or completely clean the drive by choosing “Remove files and clean drive”.
For security reasons, we recommend going with the second option before handing your device over to another person. Erasing the drive minimizes the chances of another user accessing your data. You must select this option if you are selling or recycling your computer.
3. RESET YOUR COMPUTER
Finally, click on “Reset” to completely restore the computer to its original settings. The computer will restart automatically or you will be prompted to do so. When you can log in after the reset process, your computer is ready to use. If you want to give the computer to another person, make sure that everything you previously selected has been deleted from the device.
