How do I do a full system wipe on Windows 10?
To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.
- Open the Start menu and select Settings.
- Choose the System category from the menu on the left, then scroll down and select Recovery.
- Click Reset PC.
- Select Remove everything.
- Choose how you'd like to reinstall Windows, then click Change settings.
- Switch the Clean data?
This reset option will reinstall Windows operating system and keeps your personal files, such as photos, music, videos or personal files. However, it will remove apps and drivers you installed, and also removes the changes you made to the settings.
Click the “Reset this PC” option. Select the “Remove everything” option to wipe out the hard drive and reinstall a fresh copy of Windows 10. Click the “Just remove my files” option if you plan to keep the device. Or select the “Fully clean the drive” option if you plan to get rid of the device.
- Click "Wipe Disk" from the panel.
- Choose the OS drive you want to wipe and click "Next."
- Choose an appropriate wiping method and then click "Next."
- Confirm the warning message and click "Wipe." Confirm the warning message again and click "Reboot."
- Wait for wiping complete.
🖥 How to Factory Reset a PC
Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. You should see a title that says “Reset this PC.” Click Get Started. You can either select Keep My Files or Remove Everything.
Click the Windows button in the toolbar, then the Settings icon. Click on Update, then “Recovery” and select the “Reset PC” option. Choose “Remove everything,” then click “Change settings” to make sure the “Clean data” option is enabled.
Diskpart Erase/Clean will permanently erase/destroy all data on the selected drive.
As a factory reset takes away all your data, it is essential to Backup before the process. It usually takes around 30 minutes to 3 hours to reset, depending on your device configuration.
To recover data after factory reset Android, navigate to the "Backup and Restore" section under "Settings." Now, look for the "Restore" option, and choose the backup file you created before resetting your Android phone. Select the file and restore all of your data.
Does factory reset remove viruses?
Will a factory reset remove a virus? Performing a factory reset is the best way to get rid of viruses, spyware, and other malware. A factory reset will delete everything that wasn't originally installed on the device. This includes any viruses that infected your operating system and files.
In summary, Windows 10 Reset is more likely to be a basic troubleshooting method, while a Clean Install is an advanced solution for more complex problems. If you don't know which method to apply, first have a try on Windows Reset, if it doesn't help, fully backup your computer data, and then perform a Clean Install.
If you are keeping your files, no. A reset would not remove your Microsoft Account.
If you are using Windows 10 or 11, then resetting the PC won't affect the Windows activation and you will not have to buy a new key. Even if you reinstall the Windows in your PC and connect it to the internet, the PC will be activated automatically.
When you use the “Reset this PC” feature in Windows, Windows resets itself to its factory default state. If you purchased a PC and it came with Windows 10 installed, your PC will be in the same state you received it in. All the manufacturer installed software and drivers that came with the PC will be reinstalled.
Resetting reinstalls Windows 10, but lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then reinstalls Windows. You can reset your PC from Settings, the sign-in screen, or by using a recovery drive or installation media.
- System files and folders (all the data files related to the operating system)
- Media files (audio, video, pictures, recordings, etc.)
- Graphic files.
- Documents, word files, excel sheets, PowerPoint slides, etc.
- Applications and system drivers.
- System updates.