What is Windows 10 Reset and Why You Should Do It
Windows Reset is the newest and improved Windows 10 feature which allows the user to restore the Windows to its earliest settings which is the factory default settings. So literally, you are making your device’s software, particularly your Windows operating software as fresh as new. This reset also includes reinstallation of drivers of your hardware as well as removing all other applications which are not pre-installed when you bought your device. However, during this reset, the user has options to either keep his personal files or simply remove everything. So if you feel like your device is poorly performing, getting slow or experiencing issues when installing updates and programs are not running the way it should be, then probably its time to try to reset your device. Likewise, if you are giving away or selling your device, you may need to reset and remove everything on it for your own privacy and security.
Difference of Reformat and Reset
Basically Windows Reformat and Windows Reset are just the same. They have the same goal of restoring your PC to its default configuration or its factory default setting. The only difference is the procedure. On reformatting, the user wipes out all data including the operating system of the computer through BIOS wherein he configures to boot from device which holds the Windows installer. Thus the user is required to have an external source of OS prior to this process to install a new one. Normally reformatting is done if the computer is no longer accessible nor booting to windows login screen. And this is the common solution for older version of computers with older version of Windows OS. Also in reformatting, the user can opt whatever OS version he wants to install on his device.
On the other hand, Windows reset allows you to re-install your Windows 10 OS directly from your application settings without the need of external OS. This is because most of the computers being sold nowadays already comes along with pre-installed Windows OS. Normally manufacturers already bundles their device with pre-installed OS for convenience of users. So if there are situations that need like resetting their device, you no longer need to approach a techy person to do it as Windows resetting has been made more friendly-user as ever to everyone. And you can do it right away by just following this simple steps.
How To Reset Windows 10
To reset your Windows 10, first, you need to open your Settings App. This is done by clicking the Windows logo at the lower left corner of the screen as shown below. Then click the Settings Icon.
Once on the settings panel, select the Update & Security tab as boxed in yellow below:
Next, on the left pane, select and click Recovery tab.
Once on the Recovery page, click the Get started button under the Reset this PC heading. See below image:
For the options of Resetting the PC, you can choose whether to keep your personal files or Remove everything. Below are the differences and similarities of the two:
KEEP MY FILES
- will remove everything except your personal files
- will bring the PC back to its default settings including the apps that came with the PC
REMOVE EVERYTHING
- delete all your files, photos, music and programs.
- you have the option to just remove your personal files only and reset will be much quicker
- you have the option to remove all files only from the drive where windows is installed
- will bring the PC back to its default settings including the apps that came with the PC
If you will select the Remove Everything option, just make sure you have an external back up of your personal file if you still need them. Then once decided, just click your selected option between the two.
Once you have selected ,your PC will now get ready for resetting your device as shown below.
Then, the screen will prompt additional settings which you can modify by clicking the Change settings button. If everything else is ok, click the Next button.
(The window below will only show if you selected Keep my files in the previous step. Just click the Next button.)
Your PC is now ready to be reset. You can review the list of apps that will be removed during the process before clicking the Reset button. Else, simply click the Reset button to proceed.
After pressing the Reset button, the PC will now prepare to reset which could take at least 30 minutes.
Once the PC has completed the preparation, the device will restart and commence the Windows Reset which could last for an hour depending on your computer.
When the device has finished resetting, the device will restart again to start installation of the pre-configured Windows. This installation could last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on your PC. (See below image).
Once the Windows OS has completed the installation, your device will now be preparing the settings for first time use. Afterwards, you will be redirected to your Windows login screen.
Then Voila! You have just finished resetting your device as new one.
Final Thought
During this process, make sure your device is plugged with power if it is a laptop to prevent any interruption that can lead to system failure. Anyways, your system won’t even allow you to perform the Windows reset if your device is just running on its battery power alone. Most importantly, bear with patience during the tedious period and don’t turn off your PC nor click the power button if you think its has shutted down. You will know when you have successfully reset you device once you are already in your Windows Login screen.
