How to Factory Reset Windows 10

There are a few circumstances may cause you to want to reset your computer. Some of these incidences include:
1. When disposing of your computer
2. When an old computer becomes unbearably slow and unresponsive
3. When your Windows operating system is invaded by malware
4. When your computer is faced with a bugging systems error (an error that doesn’t respond to the recommended fixes).
It is important to note that a factory reset on Windows 10 is the ultimate fix to most system related problems. However, depending on your intention, you can either decide to perform a full system clean up or keep your files. In this step by step tutorial, you will learn how to factory reset your computer running on Windows safely.

Prerequisites

To follow along with this tutorial, you need the following:
1. A computer running Windows 10 (the steps are similar for Windows 8. *)
2. The computer needs to be fully charged or plugged into a power source. This is because the resetting process may take up to an hour or more.
3. A bootable Windows installation media

Method #1: Utilise the Built-in Reset Option in Windows 10

This method provides the alternative of either performing a full disk clean-up or keeping personal files. This is the easiest way to factory reset in Windows 10.

Option 1: Partial Factory Reset where you keep all the personal files

This option allows you to Factory reset your Windows machine without losing your files. This option is applicable if you intend to reuse the computer after resetting.

Step 1

Click on the Windows icon on the taskbar then locate and select ‘settings’ as shown below:

Step 2

You need to click on ‘Updates & Security’ as illustrated below:

Step 3

Select ‘Recovery’ on the left panel. You now need to click on the ‘Get Started’ button under the ‘Reset this PC’ option.

Step 4

Select the first option as shown below to keep your files.

Step 5

A list of all the Windows Apps that will be removed will appear. Click on ‘Next’ as illustrated below:

Step 6

You need to confirm the reset action by clicking on ‘Reset’. The process will start automatically and the computer will restart without any apps and settings returned to default. You should experience a faster and smoother experience on your computer. You can now proceed to reinstall the apps you need on your machine.

Option 2: Complete Factory Reset where you clean your files and your disk drives.
This is a more permanent solution which ensures that your computer is completely clean. This approach is recommended when you are disposing of your computer. This option takes more time and it makes data recovery harder.

Step 1

You need to follow Steps 1,2 and 3 under option 1. Select the second options as illustrated below:

Step 2

You then need to select the second option as shown below:

Step 3

You will be required to confirm the reset action by hitting ‘Reset’ as shown below. The process may take up some time depending on the available files to clean. Once the computer restarts, it should feel like a brand-new machine.

Method #2: Reinstall Windows

A fresh install of Windows resets your computer completely. You need a bootable installation media to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows on your computer. You should read our post on ‘How to make a bootable Windows 10 installation media for free’. Once you have created a bootable media, you need to restart your computer with your bootable media plugged in. You then need to follow the Windows Installation Wizard to install windows.

Conclusion

You now know how to safely factory reset Windows 10 computer. Resetting your computer may be helpful to resolve many Windows related errors and issues.