How to Factory Reset Windows 10 PC or Laptop Without Password, by Gauging Gadgets on YouTube. 3 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Plug the laptop into the charger so the reset cannot stop halfway through. Turn the computer on and wait for the Windows 10 login screen.
On the login screen, click the power icon in the bottom right corner. The menu will show Sleep, Shut down and Restart.
Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click Restart while keeping Shift pressed. Keep holding it as the screen goes dark.
Wait for the blue Choose an option screen to load, then let go of Shift. If you land back on the login screen, repeat the Shift and Restart step.
Click Troubleshoot, then click Reset this PC. This opens the reset wizard without asking for the account password.
Choose Keep my files to keep your documents, or Remove everything for a full wipe. Remove everything is the true factory reset.
Pick Cloud download or Local reinstall for the Windows files. Local reinstall is faster and needs no internet.
If you chose Remove everything, select Just remove my files for a normal wipe or Clean the drive for a slower, more thorough erase.
Click Reset and leave the laptop plugged in. It will restart several times and can take 30 minutes or more.
When the setup screen appears, pick your region, connect to Wi-Fi and create a new user account to finish.
Tips and common mistakes
A reset removes installed programs and can remove personal files, so copy anything important to a USB drive or cloud storage first if you can still reach the files.
Keep the charger connected the whole time, since a dead battery during the reset can leave Windows broken.
If Shift plus Restart does not open the blue screen, try tapping F11 or the recovery key shown on screen at boot instead.
Questions
Will this delete my files?
Only if you choose Remove everything. The Keep my files option keeps your personal documents but removes apps and settings.
Do I need the Windows 10 password for this?
No. The Shift plus Restart method opens the recovery menu from the login screen, so no account password is needed.
Can I reset a laptop that will not turn on at all?
Not with this method. The PC must reach the login screen or the recovery menu, otherwise you need a Windows 10 USB installer.
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.
