How to reset Windows 10 to Factory Settings, by Dave's Tech Rescue on YouTube. 5 min 41 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 41 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Plug the laptop into power and back up any files you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage.
Open Settings from the Start menu, then click Update & Security.
In the left column, click Recovery.
Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
Choose Keep my files to remove apps and settings but keep personal files, or Remove everything for a clean wipe.
If you chose Remove everything, pick Just remove my files for a normal wipe or Remove files and clean the drive for a secure erase before selling.
Review the summary of what will be removed, then click Reset to begin.
Wait while Windows reinstalls. The laptop will restart several times, which can take 30 minutes or more.
When the setup screen appears, choose your region, connect to Wi-Fi and sign in or create a local account.
Reinstall the apps you need and restore your backed-up files.
Tips and common mistakes
A reset removes installed programs, so note down licence keys and app logins before you start.
Keep the charger connected the whole time, because a dead battery during the reset can leave Windows broken.
The clean drive option can take hours on a large hard drive, so run it when you do not need the laptop.
If the laptop will not boot, use Advanced startup from the same Recovery screen to reach the reset options.
Questions
Will a factory reset delete my photos and documents?
Only if you choose Remove everything. The Keep my files option keeps your personal files but removes apps and settings. Back up anyway in case something goes wrong.
How long does a Windows 10 factory reset take?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes with Keep my files. A full clean drive erase can take several hours depending on drive size and speed.
Do I need a Windows product key after the reset?
No. Windows 10 reactivates automatically on most laptops because the key is stored in the firmware or linked to your Microsoft account.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
