Chicago
Track Your Order
0
PC on the Fritz It Might Be Time to Factory Reset Your Windows Computer
PC on the Fritz It Might Be Time to Factory Reset Your Windows Computer
If your Windows machine is acting up, there are several options available before you do anything drastic. You can, for instance,run a diagnostic testto make sure the storage disk is healthy. If the problem came after a Windows update, there's a way touninstall itand see if that fixes the problem. Still, should none of these methods work, or you plan to get rid of the machine, it may be time to reset the PC to its factory settings. This process can wipe your files and current settings, depending on what options you choose, so make sure toback up your filesfirst. Whether you're still runningWindows 10or have upgraded toWindows 11, the steps below are mostly the same.
Reset Windows
In Windows 11, you have more than one way to reset the PC to its factory settings. You can openSettings > System > Recovery orSettings > Windows Updates > Advanced options > Recovery. Either way, clickReset PCunder the Recovery options section. To do the same in Windows 10, openSettings > Update & Security > Recovery, then selectGet startedunder Reset this PC.
Choose What to Erase
On either OS, you can chooseKeep my filesto remove only downloaded apps and settings. This will preserve your personal files and is recommended if you are trying to roll back an issue. If your drive is beyond saving or you plan to get rid of the computer, selectRemove everything, which wipes the drive clean by removing downloaded apps, settings, and personal files.
Reinstall Options
Before you can hit the reset button, you must determine how to reinstall Windows. ChooseLocal reinstallif you prefer the more hands-on approach of installing Windows from local storage. For an easier route, clickCloud downloadto pull files directly from Microsoft's servers. This option requires over 4GB of available storage space, but it is meant to be a faster and more reliable alternative to booting from a USB stick.
Customize Additional Settings
Once your selections have been made, there are a few extra settings you can customize, depending on what you picked. ClickChange settingsat the Additional settings screen to view your choices. If you choseKeep my files, apps and settings will default to what they were when the PC was brand new. You can change this by disablingRestore preinstalled apps.
If you choseRemove everything, Windows will erase all your files. This is the quickest way to remove personal data, but it's less secure because those filescan be recoveredwith the right software. If you plan to sell the machine, you'll want to enableClean datato ensure your data is overwritten and not just removed. This will take longer, but it's worth the wait.
You already made the choice on how you wish to reinstall Windows, but you can change that answer from this menu. Enable or disable theDownload Windows?option. By marking the choice asYes, you will switch to a remote download of the operating system. If you havemultiple drivesinstalled, there will be an option to control if they should be wiped as well. Other options may be present if certain configurations have been set up through your place of work. Check with your IT department before changing this.
Reset Your Computer
Once you make all your decisions, clickNext, and Windows will generate a screen that summarizes what will happen when you go through with the reset. If you choseKeep my files, you can look at a list of apps that will be removed. When ready, clickResetto restart the PC and boot it back up again after some time. If you are getting rid of the computer, your work is done. Otherwise, sign back into Windows and make sure what you opted to remove has been wiped from the machine. If you backed up your files using an online backup service or Recovery Drive, they can now be restored to the machine.
