How To Reset Windows 10 To Factory Settings

Isn’t your Windows 10 install working as it’s supposed to? Are you frequently encountering issues and crashes while using your Windows 10 PC? Have you tried all other possible ways to fix the issue, but the issue persists? Resetting your Windows 10 PC might help you fix the problem.

There is more than one way out there to reset your Windows 10 to factory settings. You can either use the built-in tool in Windows 10 or a recovery media to reset your Windows 10 to factory settings.

In this guide, we will see how you can reset your Windows 10 to factory settings with ease.

Method 1 of 2

Reset Windows 10 to factory settings using the Settings app

The option to reset Windows 10 to factory settings will not appear if your PC didn’t come with a version of Windows. Also, if your PC didn’t come up Windows 10 (you got Windows 7 or Windows 8 with your PC), the factory reset feature will re-install Windows 7 or Windows 8 that came with your PC.

So, if your PC didn’t come with Windows 10 pre-installed, please follow the directions in our how to reset your Windows 10 PC to perform a plain reset.

When you use this method to reset Windows 10 to factory settings, Windows 10 reinstalls the version of Windows that your PC came with (might be the previous version of Windows), removes all installed apps and programs and deletes all personal files as well.

So, we advise you to back up all personal data such as documents, pictures, and other important files before proceeding with this method.

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Click Update & security icon.

Step 2: Click Recovery. Under Reset, this PC section, click Get started button.

Step 3: In a few seconds, you will see Choose an option screen with three options:

# Keep my files

# Remove everything

# Restore factory settings

Click Restore factory settings option since you’re here to reset Windows 10 to factory settings. Once again, remember that resetting Windows 10 to factory settings will delete all personal files, apps, classic programs, and Windows settings.

And if the Restore factory settings option is not showing up, it’s likely because your PC didn’t come with a version of Windows when you purchased. If this is the case, you can’t use this guide to reset Windows 10 to factory settings.

Step 4: From here onwards, follow the directions mentioned in our how to reset your Windows 10 PC guide.

Method 2 of 2

Reset Windows 10 to factory settings using recovery media

If your Windows 10 PC is not booting at all, you can still reset Windows 10 to factory settings by following given below directions.

NOTE: If your PC is booting to the lock screen, please refer to our directions in 4 ways to open advanced startup options in Windows 10 guide to know how to open advanced startup options from sign-in screen and boot options menu.

Step 1: Open advanced startup options by following the directions in our how to open advanced startup options on unbootable Windows 10 PC guide. Follow the instructions in the guide until you see the Troubleshoot screen.

Step 2: When you are at the troubleshoot screen, click Reset this PC tile.

Step 3: Click Restore factory settings option and then follow the easy on-screen directions to reset your Windows 10 to factory settings.

Method 3 of 3

Another way to reset Windows 10 to factory settings

If your Windows 10 came preinstalled on your PC, your PC manufacturer has likely included an additional software to reset Windows 10 to factory settings. Please contact your PC manufacturer or check the manual for detailed instructions.

If you are on Windows 11, refer to our how to reset Windows 11 default factory settings guide.