[Data Reserved] How to Factory Reset Windows 10 PC

In today's fast-paced tech world, encountering problems with your Windows 10 system is common. Slow performance, glitches, and malware can disrupt your experience. The fix? Factory reset Windows 10 can be a good idea. But what does it really do? In this guide, we explore its benefits with a comprehensive guide on how to factory reset Windows 10.

What can factory reset Windows 10 do?

When discussing the reasons for a Windows 10 factory reset, people may offer a wide range of answers due to varying causes. In most cases, a factory reset is suitable for the following scenarios:

✔ Remove personal data: It deletes your files, settings, and apps, returning your system to how it was when you got your computer.
✔ Remove malware or viruses: If your system has viruses, a reset can remove viruses and malware when other methods are tough.
✔ Resolve system issues: Factory resetting can solve ongoing software problems, glitches, and performance issues by starting anew.
✔ Prepare for sale or transfer: If you're selling or giving away your computer, a factory reset ensures your data is wiped clean.
✔ Improve system performance: Resetting clears clutter and extra software, making your computer run faster and more responsive.
✔ Undo major changes: If you've changed your system a lot and want the original setup again, a factory reset does that.

Does factory reset Windows 10 erase everything?

Some users might believe that factory resetting Windows 10 turns their PC into a blank slate. Actually, factory reset deletes configurations like: Installed apps and games, personal files like photos, videos, messages, and personalized settings set on your own. However, Windows 10 offers users choices regarding which files to delete or keep.

Two options:
✍ If you intend to sell, donate, or dispose of your computer, choose the "Remove everything" option.
✍ For improving speed and functionality by resetting Windows 10, the "Keep my files" option is better suited.

While it's possible to recover deleted files post-factory reset using specialized data recovery tools, it's advisable to safeguard your important files with backups to prevent potential mishaps during the reset procedure. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional stands as an excellent aid for protecting your data security.

This tool enables data protection through the duplication of systems, programs, or files from one drive to another, be it an internal or external hard drive. Should the original drive encounter damage during a factory reset, you can retrieve the data from the cloned drive.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Clone" in the main interface and select "Clone Disk".

Step 2. Choose the hard disk that you need to clone as the source disk and click "Next".

Step 3. Select the destination disk to store the data on the source disk, and then click "Next".

Step 4. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window or change to “Sector to Sector clone”, and click the "Confirm" button to continue if there is no problem.

Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk or tick "4k alignment" to improve the reading and writing speed of SSD if the target disk is an SSD drive.

Step 5. At last, click "Apply" and "Proceed" in the main interface to start cloning the hard drive.

How to factory reset Windows 10

Now, after fully understanding relevant information about factory reset PC Windows 10, it is time to know how to factory reset Windows 10 with easy steps.

Step 1. Simultaneously press both "Win+I" keys together and enter "Settings". Then, in sequence, go to "System", "Recovery", and "Reset PC".

Step 2. Next, access the Windows Recovery Environment. Forcefully shut down your PC twice, then restart it. Once in the Recovery Environment, click on "Troubleshoot", and then select "Reset this PC" to initiate the reset.

Step 3. When seeing the interface, choose either the "Keep my files" option or "Remove everything" based on your preferences as previously discussed.

Step 4. Now, decide on the method for reinstalling the system after performing the Windows 10 factory reset.

Step 5. Make your selection between "Just remove your files" or "Fully clean the drive".

Step 6. As you reach the reset screen, a list of the potential impacts of resetting your device will be displayed. If you have no further questions regarding these effects, proceed by clicking "Reset" to start the Windows 10 PC factory reset process.

Tip: Something you need to do after factory reset PC Windows 10

After completing the reset, it's advisable to verify updates and address any absent drivers to guarantee that Windows 11 remains current with the latest security fixes and drivers for optimal performance and compatibility. Moreover, you might need to reinstall previously used applications to ensure optimal functionality. Here's how you can go about it:

1. Verify updates
Access "Settings", sequentially navigate to "Windows Update", and click on "Check for updates" to ensure your system is fully updated following the reset.

2. Confirm driver availability
Initiate a search for "Device Manager" from the "Start" menu and select the top result. Ensure there's no category named "Other devices," which typically denotes devices lacking drivers.

To sum up

This clear guidance talk about how to factory reset Windows 10. You can choose AOMEI Partition Assistant to realize factory reset PC Windows 10 without data loss. In addition, this powerful software can also assist you in extending drive space, migrating OS to SSD and securely erasing SSD, etc,. For Windows Server Users, there is the Server Edition can be downloaded for enjoying.