In this article, you will learn how to clean your unresponsive and very sluggish PC or Laptop by following the easy steps below to easily and successfully reset your Windows 7, Windows 10 PC, or Laptop to a fresh factory setting.
Before you reset your system, you will want to back up important information that you do not want to lose. This includes documents, photos, music, and movies, but there are other items to back up as well.
However, I will advise you to make sure that you know all of your saved passwords, export all of your browser bookmarks, and have installation files for all the software you will want to reinstall or know where to get them.
Also, make sure you back up app-specific data, like custom filters saved in a photo utility, save files from your favorite games, and back up emails if using an offline client.
How To Reset Windows 10 Operating System
Windows 10’s reset feature can be found in the settings panel. It can rebuild a fresh copy of Windows 10 if you choose, replacing all drivers and resetting all settings. This might be technically different from a “factory reset” option provided by manufacturers.
You need to check your documentation or give technical support a call if you want to return your PC to how you first pulled it out of the box. The manufacturer might have special partitions set up on the hard drive or might be able to provide a factory restore of the image on bootable media.
Steps to Factory Reset Windows 10 OS
Step 1: Click the Notifications icon on the taskbar (or press the Windows button + A) and then click the All settings tile in the Action Center. You can also click the start button followed by the Gear icon on the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click Update and Security.
Step 3: Select Recovery listed on the left.
On the right, you will see two options. The first, Reset this PC, is the method we will use for this guide.
The second, Advanced startup, is worth considering if you have a little more technical skill. It’s for modifying your computer on a deeper level or installing a completely different operating system.
This comes in handy if your manufacturer provides a factory restore image or external drive containing the image to return your machine to its factory state, proprietary software included. Unless you are completely sure you understand what each of the options in this setting does, it’s probably best to leave it alone.
Step 3: When you are ready, click the Get Started button listed under Reset This PC.
A new window will appear with two options, Keep my files and Remove everything.
It would help if you decided whether you want to keep all of your files and folders intact or truly start from scratch and then use your backup to restore those files and folders.
Whichever you choose, you will need to reinstall all apps and programs acquired outside the Microsoft Store. Your settings, such as the Start Menu arrangement, will go back to their defaults.
Factory Reset Windows 10 OS
Step 5: Click on one of the two options.
In both cases, it rebuilds Windows 10 using the current installation. It’s Microsoft’s “imageless recovery” system, so installation media does not need to lurk on a hidden partition, taking up space. However, the Local reinstall option may not repair Windows 10 if it’s too broken or too corrupted. That’s where the Cloud download option comes in: Windows pulls everything from Microsoft’s servers to rebuild the local copy.
Both options return all settings to their factory defaults and remove all software not installed from the Microsoft Store. However, the Keep My Files option keeps your profile intact along with the associated files and folders. What it doesn’t do is update Windows 10 to the latest version if you never bothered to install patches and feature updates. The Cloud download option installs the latest version stored in Microsoft’s cloud.
Factory Reset Windows 10 OS
Step 6: Select a source: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
Step 7: On the following screen, click the Choose Settings link if you would like to alter the current reset settings. Otherwise, skip to Step 9.
Note that you can toggle off reinstallation, but if you’re having serious issues related to Windows 10 components, a fresh copy might be ideal. At the same time, if we selected the Keep my files route and selected the Local reinstall option, we would see two toggles: Restore preinstalled apps and settings with the PC and rebuild Windows 10 using the local installation.
Step 8: Click the appropriate toggle next to the setting you want to alter and then click Confirm.
Step 9: Click Next to proceed.
10: The Reset tool will present a summary. If you choose the Keep My Files option, you will see a link you can click to see all the apps removed during the reset, like Google Chrome, Steam, and even Microsoft 365.
This list will be saved to your desktop when you finish the recovery process. You won’t see this link when you select the Remove Everything option. Ensure you are good with everything, and then click the Reset button.
Your PC will reboot automatically and enter the Windows Recovery Environment. The reset process might take an hour or more, so if you’re using a laptop, it’s a good idea to plug in the power cord. It may reboot itself several times. Wait for Windows to restart and begin the setup process, then enter your personal information and login information if prompted.
Once you have confirmed everything is working, make sure Windows 10 is up to date and install the latest drivers from hardware manufacturers. How to Reset Windows 10.
How To Reset Windows 7 Operating System
Microsoft ended its support for Windows 7 in January 2020, which means that Windows 7 will not receive critical security updates, leaving those using it vulnerable. It is advisable to move to Windows 10 before this occurs. You can still do this for free if needed.
1: Click the Start button and select the Control panel listed on the start menu.
2: Make sure the View by setting reads Category and select System and Security.
3: Click Backup and restore.
Note: You can also type “Recovery” in the search field on the start menu.
4: Under Restore, click the link reading Recover system settings on your computer.
5: Select the Advanced recovery methods link.
6: Choose one of two options: Use a system image you previously created or reinstall Windows using an installation disc.
7: Click the Back up Now button if prompted to back up all files and folders you want to keep.
8: Click the Restart button to proceed.
Manufacturer’s Recovery Tool
Another method is to use the manufacturer’s recovery tool, usually located on a separate partition on your hard drive. You will find a wide variety of recovery software with name brands numerous enough to match the various brands of electronic devices in which you will install them.
We have tried to make it less overwhelming by narrowing the list down to our preferred software. Each brand has a different name for what you are looking for, so here is a list of what to search for according to each brand:
- Acer: Acer eRecovery or Acer Recovery Management.
- Asus: Asus Recovery Partition or AI Recovery.
- Dell: Dell Factory Image Restore, DataSafe, Dell Backup & Recovery, and various other names.
- HP: HP System Recovery or Recovery Manager.
- Lenovo: Rescue and Recovery or ThinkVantage Recovery (on ThinkPads).
You can also access these recovery options outside of Windows, which means you still have hope if your OS won’t load. Every manufacturer is different, but you can find the method for accessing recovery just after powering your machine. Read the text as your machine boots and look for the recovery mode key. Many devices use the F11 key as a shortcut to recovery mode.
Would you like to read more about Windows Operating System-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!
