How To Reset Windows 10 To Factory Settings

How to make your Windows 10 work smoothly when it works for 2 years or more? If your Windows 10 computer is running slow or acting abnormally, one of the most surefire ways of fixing the issue is by resetting it to factory settings.

If you have following questions or more about Windows 10 system factory reset, this article will help you resolve all problems bellow.

"How to factory reset windows 10 without settings?
How to factory reset windows 10 without password?
How to recover Windows 10 to factory settings?
How to factory reset windows 10 without cd?
How to format windows 10 without CD/DVD?
How to reset/restore windows 10 to factory settings from boot?
How to restore my windows 10 laptop?

This article will show you three methods to easily reset Windows 10 PC to factory settings on any laptop/desktop computer such as Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Samsung etc.

1. If you need to reset Windows 10 with removing everything from your computer, you don't need a password to perform factory reset.

2. If you need to reset Windows 10 with keeping your personal files, you must enter your admin account's password while factory reset.

3. If you want to factory reset Windows 10 PC and keep all your personal files but you forgot your administrator's password, you can firstly refer to: How to reset Windows 10 admin password without knowing it. Then you can follow any method in this article to factory reset your Windows 10 PC.

Method 1: Reset Windows 10 Computer to Factory Settings from "Sign-in Screen".

It is easy to reset your Windows 10 PC from "Sign-in screen" without logging:

Step 1: Press the Shift key while you select the "Power" button > "Restart" in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Step 2: On the "Choose an option" screen, select "Troubleshoot".

Step 3: On the Troubleshoot screen, select "Reset this PC".

Step 4: On the "Reset this PC" screen, choose an option.

Option 1: If you select "Keep my files", it will remove apps and settings, but keep your personal files. Then you will need to enter your admin account's password.

1. Wait for the preparing.

2. Choose an admin account if you select "Keep my files".

3. Enter your password and then click "Continue".

4. Next, click "Reset" button to start factory reset. Go on to Step 5.

Option 2: If you select "Remove everything", it will remove all of your personal files, apps, and settings even your user accounts and passwords. So you don't need to enter any password in this process.

1. Wait for the preparing.

2. Choose "Fully clean the drive".

3. All read to go. Click "Reset". Go on to Step 5.

Step 5: Wait for the process of "Reset this PC".

Step 6: Wait for the process of re-installing Windows 10.

Step 7: Now you are able to log on a brand new Windows 10.

Use your password to log on if you chose Option 1.

If you chose Option 2, it will automatically sign in to the default admin account without password.

Step 8: All removed apps will be list in a file on the desktop. You need to re-install these apps if you want to use them again.

Method 2: Factory Reset Windows 10 from "Settings".

If you can log on an admin account in Windows 10, you can reset your Windows 10 to factory settings from "settings".

Step 1: Open "Start" menu and then select "Settings".

Step 2: In the settings window, select "Update & Security".

Step 3: Select "Recovery". Then "Get started".

Step 4: Choose an option to recover your Windows 10 system to factory settings.

Option 1: Factory reset Windows 10 with keeping your files.

1. If you select "Keep my files". Read the message and then click "Next".

2. Then click "Reset" and go on to step 5.

Option 2: Factory reset Windows 10 with removing everything.

1. When you choose "Remove everything", it will ask you if clean the drives, too. Choose an option to continue.

2. Read the message and then click "Reset". Go on to step 5.

Step 5: Wait resetting this PC.

Step 6: Wait installing Windows 10.

Step 7: Now you are able to log on a brand new Windows 10.

Use your password to log on if you chose Option 1.

If you chose Option 2, it will automatically sign in to the default admin account without password.

Step 8: All removed apps will be list in a file on the desktop. You need to re-install these apps if you want to use them again.

Method 3: Factory Reset Windows 10 from Boot - "Automatic Repair".

If you cannot start Windows 10 as it is running very slow, you can reset your Windows 10 to factory settings from "Automatic Repair" mode without logging, without loading the welcome screen.

Step 1: Power on your computer/laptop. When the windows circle screen appears, hold press power button to shut down the computer. Redo this for three times.

Step 2: At the third starting, it will show you "Preparing Automatic Repair" at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Wait for "Diagnosing your PC".

Step 4: When it asks you to choose and account, select yours.

Step 5: Enter the user account's password and then click "Continue".

Step 6: On the "Automatic Repair" screen, click "Advanced options".

Step 7: Select "Troubleshoot".

Step 8: Select "Reset this PC".

Step 9: Choose an option to reset your Windows 10 system to factory settings.

Step 10: Read the message and then click "Reset" to continue.

Step 11: Wait resetting this PC.

Step 12: Wait installing Windows 10.

Step 13: Now a brand new Windows 10 is ready for you.

Use your password to log on if you chose "Keep my files".

If you chose "Remove everything" in step 9, it will automatically sign in to the default admin account without password.

Step 8: All removed apps will be list in a file on the desktop. You need to re-install these apps if you want to use them again.

Conclusion:

To reset/restore your Windows 10 device to factory settings:

If you choose "Keep my files", it will format your Windows and all data and programs in the system drive will be lost. And you need to choose an admin account to log on firstly. This list only shows administrator accounts that have previously signed in to this PC, and does not include standard user or domain accounts. You need to be signed in as an administrator to use some repair and restore tools. If you don't have a password for any of these accounts, you can restart to try signing in to Windows to manage your user accounts or reset your password by using Windows Password Rescuer.

If you choose "Remove everything", this option will permanently delete all your data, programs, and settings. If you've backed up your files you'll be able to restore your deleted files. This option will allow you to choose a new login password for Windows 10 when you are locked out of your computer.