Resetting your Windows 10 computer is a good way to start over and get rid of all of the old junk that’s been cluttering up your system. While the reset process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, it’s usually pretty quick overall. Depending on what kind of hardware you have and what sort of operating system you have installed, the reset process can be a bit different for each individual user.
How Long Does it Take to Perform the Factory Reset?
Factory resetting your Windows 10 computer is a process that restores the operating system to its original condition. This means deleting all the data on the hard drive, including all your personal files and settings.
The time it takes to perform a factory reset depends on a few factors, such as how much data is on the hard drive and whether any user accounts are currently logged in.
In general, it should take about 30 minutes to perform a factory reset on a standard Windows 10 PC. However, this time may vary depending on the size of the hard drive, how much data is stored there, and how many user accounts are currently logged in.
How to Do a Factory Reset
The factory reset on Windows 10 is a process that restores the operating system, apps, settings, and files to their original condition.
To perform the factory reset on Windows 10:
- Open the Start menu and type “Settings”.
- Click on “System” in the Settings search results.
- Under “System and Security”, click on “Windows Update”.
- On the left side of the window, under “Update Settings”, click on “Advanced Options”.
- In the “Advanced Options” window, under “Reset this PC”, click on “Factory Reset”.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the factory reset.
Reset in Safe Mode
If your computer is having trouble starting up, you can try to reset it in Safe Mode. This will help you troubleshoot any problems and fix them. To do this, start your computer in Safe Mode, and then follow these steps:
- On the Start menu, find Windows 8 or 10 recovery tools.
- Click the Reset button on the boot menu.
- Select your language and click Next.
You should now see an option to reset your PC in Safe Mode. Select it and then follow the instructions on the screen. If this doesn’t work, you can try following a different step: Use Windows 8/10 Recovery features with OS Builder or Reset Factory Settings (advanced) app without restarting and plug into AC Power only after all of these steps have been tried while booting to the safe mode that has working driver access as part of the boot menu.
Will resetting the PC remove Windows 10 license?
No, it will not remove the Windows 10 license.
You can use the Reset PC feature and stay active in Windows 10. Additionally, Unlocking your PC will not remove any devices on the PC that are attached to it after you’ve installed an operating system on them (this includes things like PCs with USB drives).
Also if you reformatted a native partition from an older version of Windows then recovered back this old format software and data then reinstall Windows 10 there still be an activation problem as Microsoft has no way to detect this.
If you have Windows 10 but lost your serial number then use the product key from another computer on the same network or keep an updated installable ready with all drivers and be able to run Media Center Standard that is no longer required when Win10 comes out as it will require an internet connection while setting up after the upgrade.
What does a Windows 10 Reset do?
A Reset does nothing on its own – it’s just a command that tells your computer to start fresh and restore all of its settings to their factory defaults. Resets typically use the local Windows recovery tool, which allows you to restore your computer back to its original settings. To perform a reset using media or USB drive:
Make sure that there is no other operating system installed on your PC – doing a Reset without first uninstalling any files won’t actually remove Windows 10, it will just do nothing; some of these programs are completely essential and cannot be removed by this method).
Restart the computer by holding the Shift key during boot. Use your computer’s built-in recovery tool to Remove a Windows 10 image or Reset Copy, Microsoft will ask you which product they would like to remove (on older computers), it may not be possible in some cases; if there is no choice then proceed with an online or flash drive reset using media.
FAQ
How long does it take to reset Windows 10?
Windows 10 can be reset in a few different ways, but the most common way is to use the Windows 10 Recovery Environment. This environment allows you to reinstall Windows 10 without losing your files or settings.
To start the recovery environment, open the Start menu and type “recovery” (without the quotes). You will then see the “Windows 10 Recovery Environment” option on the list. Click on it to start the recovery environment.
Once the recovery environment is started, you will need to select your language and country. After that, you will be asked to choose a keyboard layout. Next, you will be asked to choose a time zone. Finally, you will be asked to provide your product key.
After providing all of this information, Windows 10 will start restoring your files and settings. It may take a few minutes to complete the process.
Can I remove the files from my computer after I reset Windows 10?
Yes, you can remove the files from your computer after you reset Windows 10. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and click on Settings.
- Click on System and Security.
- Under Reset this PC, click on Remove files and settings.
- Follow the prompts to delete all the files and folders that were removed from your computer.
If I want to keep my personal files and apps, can I save them onto an external hard drive or flash drive before going through the process of resetting Windows 10?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to save your personal files and apps will vary depending on your individual situation. However, some tips that may be helpful include:
- Make sure you have a backup plan in place.
- Use an external hard drive or flash drive that is large enough to store all of your files and apps.
- Reset Windows 10 to its factory settings if you want to delete all of your personal files and apps.
- Try using cloud storage services like iCloud or Google Drive to store your files and apps online.
Does Windows 10 automatically start updating again when you restart your computer?
No, Windows 10 does not automatically start updating again when you restart your computer. You will need to manually initiate the update by going to Settings > Update & Security> Windows Update and clicking on the Check for updates button.
How do programs in Windows recover from Not Responding?
When a program in Windows doesn’t respond, it might be due to one of the following reasons:
- The program is not installed correctly.
- The program is damaged and needs to be repaired.
- The program has been deleted accidentally or maliciously.
- The system resources required by the program are not available.
- The program has been stopped because it was running in the background and was no longer needed.
How do I factory reset an HP laptop without a password?
To factory reset an HP laptop without a password, you will need to access the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) on the laptop. To do this, you will need to turn off the computer and remove the battery.
After that, press and hold down the power button for about 30 seconds until you see a message that says “HP Laptop – Restart Now.”
Release the power button and press it again to enter the BIOS. In the BIOS, go to “Advanced” and select “Reset,” then press “Enter.” The laptop will restart and you will be able to log in with your original username and password.
How do I pin to a desktop Windows 10?
There are a few ways to pin items to the desktop in Windows 10. One way is to use File Explorer. To do this, open File Explorer and locate the item you want to pin. Right-click on the item and select “Pin to Start.” You can also use the Pin To Taskbar option if you want the pinned item to always be visible on your taskbar.
How long should a Windows 10 reset take?
A Windows 10 reset can take a few minutes or it can take several hours. The time it takes will depend on the size of the hard drive, how much data is on the hard drive, and how many files are in the system.
A Windows 10 reset will erase all of your personal data, including your settings, files, apps, and documents. It will also remove any installed updates and changes that you have made to the operating system. After a reset, you will need to reinstall all of your applications and settings.
Why does Windows 10 reset take so long?
Windows 10 reset can take a long time because it is performing a full system restore. A full system restore restores all the files and settings on your computer, which can be a time-consuming process.
How long does it take to reset a PC fully?
It takes about an hour to reset a PC fully. This includes the time it takes to start up the computer, gather any required information, and initialize all of the software.
How long does a system restore for over 400 GB take?
A system restores will restore your computer to a previous state, which could be before any problems occurred. Depending on the size of the system and the number of files that are being restored, it could take a few hours or days.