How to Completely Reset Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Welcome to this article on how to completely reset Windows 10. If you are looking for ways to restore your Windows 10 computer to its original settings, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you through 12 simple steps to reset your PC while offering explanations and tips along the way.

Steps

Step 1: Backup your Files

Before resetting your PC, make sure you backup any important files and documents. You can do this by transferring them to an external storage device or uploading them to the cloud.

Step 2: Access Settings

To access the reset option, click on the “Start” button and select “Settings”. From there, click on “Update & Security” and select “Recovery”.

Step 3: Choose Reset This PC

Under the “Recovery” section, you will see the option “Reset This PC”. Click on it to start the reset process.

Step 4: Select Keep My Files or Remove Everything

You will be given the option to either keep your personal files or remove them entirely. Select the appropriate option for your needs.

Step 5: Choose your Reset Option

After selecting whether to keep your personal files or remove them, you will be given two reset options. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

Step 6: Confirm your Reset

A confirmation message will appear before the reset process begins. Click on “Reset” to begin the process.

Step 7: Wait for Reset to Finish

The reset process takes some time to complete. Wait for your PC to finish resetting and do not turn off your computer.

Step 8: Choose your Country or Region

After your computer finishes resetting, you will be prompted to choose your country or region. Select the appropriate option and click “Yes” to continue.

Step 9: Select Preferences

After choosing your country or region, you will be given the opportunity to select your preferred settings such as language and time zone.

Step 10: Log in with your Microsoft Account

If you have a Microsoft account, enter your information to log in. Otherwise, create a new account or skip this step.

Step 11: Wait for PC to Configure

After logging in or creating a new account, your PC will begin to configure settings. This may take some time, so be patient.

Step 12: Start Using your PC

Once your PC has finished configuring settings, it will be ready for use. Log in and start using your freshly reset computer.

Explanation

Now that you have followed the 12 steps to completely reset your Windows 10 computer, let’s dive a little deeper into what each step entails.

Starting with step 1 – backing up your files is an important step as it ensures that you don’t lose any important data during the reset process. An external storage device or cloud service are both excellent options for backing up your personal files.

Step 2 involves accessing the settings menu. You can access the settings menu by clicking on the “Start” button and selecting “Settings” from the menu.

Step 3 involves selecting the “Reset This PC” option. This can be found under the “Recovery” section in the “Update & Security” menu.

In Step 4, you will be given the option to either keep or remove your personal files. If you have important files that you want to keep, be sure to select the “Keep My Files” option.

Step 5 offers two different reset options – “Keep My Files” or “Remove Everything”. Choose the appropriate option for your needs.

Step 6 involves confirming your reset request. Once you are sure that you want to reset your PC, click on “Reset” to begin the process.

Step 7 requires patience as you wait for the reset process to finish. Your computer will automatically restart and begin the reset process.

After the reset process has finished, you will be prompted to choose your country or region in step 8. Step 9 involves selecting your preferred settings such as language and time zone.

Step 10 involves logging in with your Microsoft account. If you don’t have a Microsoft account, you can create a new one or skip this step.

Step 11 involves waiting for your PC to configure settings. This may take some time – so sit back, relax, and let your computer do its thing.

Finally, step 12 involves logging in and starting to use your freshly reset computer.

Tips and Advice

1. Use External Storage

Backing up your personal files is crucial before resetting your PC. Make use of an external storage device or a cloud service to backup your files.

2. Choose the Right Reset Option

During the reset process, you will be given two options. Make sure you choose the option that best suits your needs.

3. Have Patience

The reset process can take a considerable amount of time. Be patient and wait for your PC to finish resetting.

4. Create an Image Backup

Creating an image backup is a great way to be prepared in case anything goes wrong during the reset process.

5. Update your Drivers and Software

After resetting your computer, be sure to update your drivers and software to ensure optimal performance.

6. Take Advantage of OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud service that allows you to store your files in one location. This is an excellent option for keeping your files safe during the reset process.

7. Don’t Interrupt the Process

Interrupting the reset process can result in permanent damage to your computer. Be patient and let your PC finish resetting.

8. Turn off Third-Party Antivirus

Before resetting your PC, ensure that you turn off any third-party antivirus software that you have installed.

9. Check your Internet Connection

Ensure that you have a reliable internet connection during the reset process to avoid any interruptions.

10. Read the Instructions Carefully

Make sure you read the instructions carefully before resetting your PC to avoid any mishaps.

In conclusion, you now know how to completely reset your Windows 10 computer and have a good understanding of each step involved. Just remember to backup your files, choose the appropriate reset option, be patient, and take advantage of OneDrive. Happy resetting!

Advantages and Disadvantages of How to Completely Reset Windows 10

Resetting your Windows 10 device to its default settings can be a helpful solution to a number of technical issues that you may run into. But, like most things, there are advantages and disadvantages to doing so. Here are 10 pros and cons to keep in mind before resetting your device:

Advantages:

  1. Speeds up your computer: Resetting your computer can help to speed up the machine by deleting unnecessary files and programs that may be slowing it down.

  2. Fresh start: Resetting your computer is like starting with a clean slate. This can be helpful if you have a lot of clutter on your device or if it’s been a while since you’ve done any maintenance.

  3. No more viruses: If you have a virus that you just can’t seem to get rid of, resetting your device can help to completely eradicate the issue.

  4. Better performance: Resetting your device can help to optimize the performance of your machine by removing any bloatware or pre-installed software that may be unnecessary.

  5. Fewer glitches: By resetting your device, you can eliminate any glitches or bugs that may be causing issues on your computer.

  6. Improved battery life: Softwares running in the background could consume battery of your device. Resetting can kill such apps and preserve your battery.

  7. No external software needed: You can reset your device without the need for any additional software or technical tools.

  8. Secure data deletion: Resetting your device gives you an option to delete personal data, and ensure that nobody can recover it.

  9. Better allocation of RAM: Resetting forces the operating system to allocate RAM more intelligently, ensuring that your system runs more smoothly.

  10. Free of cost: The best part is, resetting your Windows 10 device doesn’t require any charge, it is absolutely free of cost.

    11. Disadvantages:

    1. Data loss: The biggest drawback of resetting your device is that you’ll likely lose any data or files that you haven’t backed up.

    2. Time-consuming: The process of resetting your device can take quite a bit of time, depending on the speed of your machine and the amount of data that you have stored on it.

    3. Needs reconfiguration: Once you’ve reset your device, you’ll need to go through the process of reconfiguring all of your settings, which can be a bit of a pain.

    4. Risk of reinstalling malware: If you have a virus or malware on your device, there’s a risk that resetting it could actually reinstall the issue if you don’t take proper precautions.

    5. Limited rollback: Resetting your device doesn’t give you the option to roll back to a previous state like a system restore, it is a one-way process.

    6. Limited hardware support: In rare cases, some users may face hardware issues after resetting their computers. This is because drivers needed for certain components may not be compatible with the reset version of Windows 10.

    7. No customization: With a factory reset, any customization, personalizations or additional software that you’ve downloaded will be wiped out along with the rest of your files.

    8. Internet required: If you don’t have a copy of your Windows 10 license key, you will have to connect your computer to the internet to reinstall your operating system. Without internet, the reinstallation process will fail.

    9. Alternative solutions: There may be alternative solutions to the issues you’re facing that don’t require resetting your device. So, it’s important to exhaust all other options before going down the factory reset route.

    10. Requires technical expertise: Though performing a factory reset isn’t a difficult process, it does require a certain level of technical expertise. If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, it’s best to seek assistance from someone with the appropriate knowledge and experience.

    Ultimately, whether or not you choose to reset your Windows 10 device is entirely up to you. Just be sure to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making your decision.

    FAQ

    1. What is a complete reset in Windows 10?

    A complete reset in Windows 10 involves resetting the operating system to the factory settings, thereby removing all personal data and applications installed by the user.

    2. When should I reset my Windows 10?

    You should reset your Windows 10 if your computer is experiencing slower performance than usual, crashes frequently, or has malware or virus issues.

    3. Will resetting Windows 10 erase all my files?

    Yes, resetting Windows 10 will remove all files and applications installed on the computer, so it’s important to ensure that you have backed up your important files before resetting.

    4. How long does a complete reset of Windows 10 take?

    The amount of time it takes to reset Windows 10 depends on the size of the hard drive and the speed of the computer. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

    5. Can I revert back to my previous version of Windows after resetting?

    No, resetting your Windows 10 cannot be undone, and you cannot go back to the previous version of Windows after resetting.

    6. Will resetting Windows 10 improve performance?

    Yes, resetting Windows 10 can help improve performance if the computer has been experiencing issues due to software conflicts or malware.

    7. Do I need a Windows 10 installation disc to reset my computer?

    No, you do not need a Windows 10 installation disc to reset your computer. You can initiate the reset process through the settings menu.

    8. Will resetting Windows 10 remove all viruses and malware?

    Yes, resetting Windows 10 will remove all viruses and malware since it removes all software installed on the computer.

    9. How do I backup my files before resetting Windows 10?

    You can backup your files to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a USB flash drive to ensure that your data is safe before resetting Windows 10.

    10. Will resetting Windows 10 remove pre-installed applications?

    Yes, resetting Windows 10 removes all applications and software installed on the computer, including pre-installed applications.

    11. Can I reset Windows 10 without losing my personal data?

    No, resetting Windows 10 involves removing all personal data, so it’s important to backup your data before starting the reset process.

    12. Do I need an internet connection to reset Windows 10?

    No, you do not need an internet connection to reset Windows 10, but it’s advisable to connect to the internet to install updates after the reset process.

    13. Will resetting Windows 10 solve all my computer problems?

    No, resetting Windows 10 may solve issues related to software conflicts or malware, but it cannot fix hardware-related issues or problems caused by physical damage to the computer.

    How to Completely Reset Windows 10

    Windows 10 is an operating system that has been known for its impressive features. However, after using it for a while, you might start experiencing some problems, such as slow system performance, repeated crashes, or malware infections. At this point, the best solution is usually to reset your PC to its original settings. In this article, we’ll show you how to completely reset Windows 10, step by step.

    Conclusion

    Resetting a Windows 10 computer can be an effective way to clear out persistent issues that are affecting your system’s performance or when you’re ready to start fresh with a new configuration. Though resetting your PC to its factory settings will remove all your personal data, you’ll benefit from having a clean start and a system that is free of previous performance issues.

    Closing

    Finally, resetting your Windows 10 computer can be an effective way to clear out all the persistent issues that have been deteriorating your system’s performance. In this article, we’ve outlined how to completely reset Windows 10, and we hope that it answers the questions you may have on the process. Whether you’re ready to start fresh or seeking a way to clear out niggling problems, resetting your Windows 10 computer to its default state will solve all your issues.

    Goodbye and good luck with resetting your Windows 10 computer!