Reset your Windows 10 PC and make it like new again, by How To Do It All on YouTube. 4 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Back up your documents, photos and other files to an external drive or cloud storage. A factory reset removes everything on the drive.
Plug the laptop into power so the reset cannot be cut off by a low battery.
Open Settings by clicking the Start button and the gear icon, then choose Update and Security.
Select Recovery in the left menu and find the Reset this PC section.
Click Get started under Reset this PC.
Choose Keep my files to remove apps and settings but keep personal files, or Remove everything for a fully clean PC.
Pick Cloud download or Local reinstall for the Windows files. Cloud download needs an internet connection.
Review the summary of what will be removed, then click Reset to begin. The PC restarts several times.
When the setup screen appears, follow the prompts to choose your region, connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to your Microsoft account.
Reinstall the apps you need and restore your files from the backup.
Tips and common mistakes
Choose Keep my files first if you only want a speed boost, since Remove everything takes longer and deletes all data.
A system restore point can roll back recent changes without a full reset, so try that before wiping the PC.
Keep the laptop plugged in for the whole process, as a shutdown mid-reset can leave Windows damaged.
Questions
Will a factory reset delete my files?
It depends on the option you pick. Keep my files keeps your personal documents but removes apps and settings. Remove everything wipes the whole drive.
How long does a Windows 10 reset take?
Usually 30 minutes to an hour, but a cloud download on a slow connection can take longer. The PC restarts several times during the process.
Do I need a Windows 10 product key after resetting?
No. Windows 10 reactivates automatically on most PCs because the licence is tied to the hardware.
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.
