Introduction
Resetting your computer can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to begin. Whether you need to troubleshoot an issue, start over with a clean slate, or are selling your computer, there are multiple ways to reset your computer. This article will provide an overview of the various methods for resetting your computer and provide step-by-step instructions on each one.
Use System Restore to Reset Your Computer
System Restore is a Windows feature that allows you to roll back your computer to a previous state. It’s useful for restoring your computer to a point before you experienced any issues. System Restore doesn’t delete any of your personal files or installed programs, but it can undo changes to settings and registry keys.
What is System Restore?
System Restore is a Windows feature that creates restore points, which are snapshots of your system at a particular point in time. You can access these restore points to undo changes made to your computer since the date of the restore point.
How to Access System Restore
You can access System Restore by going to the “Start” menu and typing “System Restore” into the search box. Once the System Restore window appears, click “Next” to continue.
Steps to Activate System Restore
Once you’ve accessed the System Restore window, you can activate System Restore by following these steps:
- Select the “Turn on system protection” option.
- Choose the size of the restore point you want to create.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Refresh or Reset Your Computer Using Windows 10 Features
Windows 10 includes two features that allow you to refresh your computer or reset it to its original state. Refreshing your computer keeps your personal files, but reinstalls Windows and any apps you’ve installed from the Microsoft Store. Resetting your computer deletes all your personal files and reinstalls Windows.
What is a Refresh/Reset?
A refresh or reset is a way to reinstall Windows while keeping or deleting your personal files. Refreshing your computer reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, while resetting your computer reinstalls Windows and deletes your personal files.
How to Access Refresh/Reset Options
You can access the refresh and reset options by going to the “Start” menu and typing “Reset this PC” into the search box. Once the Reset this PC window appears, click “Get Started” to continue.
Steps to Refresh/Reset Your Computer
Once you’ve accessed the Reset this PC window, you can refresh or reset your computer by following these steps:
- Select the “Keep my files” or “Remove everything” option.
- Choose the type of reset you want to perform (e.g., “Fully clean the drive”).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Use a Recovery Disc or USB Drive to Reset Your Computer
If you don’t have access to a Windows installation disc or USB drive, you can use a recovery disc or USB drive to reset your computer. A recovery disc or USB drive contains the files necessary to reset your computer to its original state.
What is a Recovery Disc/USB?
A recovery disc or USB drive is a disk or flash drive that contains the files necessary to reset your computer to its original state. The files on the disc or USB drive are specific to the make and model of your computer.
How to Create a Recovery Disc/USB
You can create a recovery disc or USB drive by going to the “Start” menu and typing “Create a recovery drive” into the search box. Once the Create a recovery drive window appears, click “Create” to continue.
Steps to Reset Your Computer with a Recovery Disc/USB
Once you’ve created a recovery disc or USB drive, you can reset your computer by following these steps:
- Insert the recovery disc or USB drive into your computer.
- Restart your computer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Use the Command Prompt to Reset Your Computer
The command prompt is a text-based interface that allows you to enter commands to perform specific tasks. You can use the command prompt to reset your computer without needing access to a Windows installation disc or USB drive.
What is the Command Prompt?
The command prompt is a text-based interface that allows you to enter commands to perform specific tasks. It’s often used for advanced tasks such as resetting your computer or recovering lost data.
How to Access the Command Prompt
You can access the command prompt by going to the “Start” menu and typing “Command Prompt” into the search box. Once the Command Prompt window appears, click “Run as administrator” to continue.
Steps to Reset Your Computer Using the Command Prompt
Once you’ve accessed the Command Prompt window, you can reset your computer by following these steps:
- Type “reagentc /disable” into the command prompt and press “Enter”.
- Type “reagentc /enable” into the command prompt and press “Enter”.
- Type “shutdown /r” into the command prompt and press “Enter”.
Perform a Factory Reset of Your Computer
Performing a factory reset of your computer will erase all your personal files and restore your computer to its original state. This method should only be used as a last resort, as it will delete all your personal files.
What is a Factory Reset?
A factory reset is a way to erase all your personal files and restore your computer to its original state. It’s often used as a last resort when other reset methods have failed.
How to Access Factory Reset Options
You can access the factory reset options by going to the “Start” menu and typing “Reset this PC” into the search box. Once the Reset this PC window appears, click “Get Started” to continue.
Steps to Perform a Factory Reset
Once you’ve accessed the Reset this PC window, you can perform a factory reset by following these steps:
- Select the “Remove everything” option.
- Choose the type of reset you want to perform (e.g., “Fully clean the drive”).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Conclusion
Resetting your computer can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. There are multiple ways to reset your computer, including using System Restore, refreshing or resetting your computer using Windows 10 features, using a recovery disc or USB drive, using the command prompt, and performing a factory reset. This article has provided an overview of each method and step-by-step instructions on how to do each one.
Summary of Key Points
- System Restore allows you to roll back your computer to a previous state.
- Refreshing your computer reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, while resetting your computer reinstalls Windows and deletes your personal files.
- A recovery disc or USB drive contains the files necessary to reset your computer to its original state.
- The command prompt is a text-based interface that allows you to enter commands to perform specific tasks.
- A factory reset erases all your personal files and restores your computer to its original state.
Additional Resources
For more information about resetting your computer, check out the following resources:
