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How do I do a factory reset without password and recovery key?

Anonymous
2024-03-27T02:07:12+00:00

I bought a Windows 10 from a yard sale, and it's asking for a recovery key for me to factory reset it. I do not have another Windows computer with me or a USB to download Windows, is there any way to completely reset it and erase all data?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings

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  1. EmilyS726 226.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-03-27T02:39:54+00:00

    Hello, this is Emily.

    If it is asking for a recovery key, unless you know the original owner, you wouldn't be able to reset it without a clean install, which means you do have to use a USB and another device to download Windows into the USB flash drive. I am sorry but that's really your only option. Hopefully you can find a friend or family with computer to help you out.

    In case you need clean install instruction, here it is:

    To perform a clean installation of Windows 10 using the Windows Media Creation Tool. You do need to get access to another computer so you can download the Windows installation files into a flash drive, then use the flash drive to help your computer. Hopefully you have a spare computer, or you can have friend or family help you.

    The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:

    Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...

    Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."

    Choose your language, edition, and architecture (32 or 64-bit) and select "Next."

    Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."

    Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.

    Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."

    The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.

    =====================================================

    Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:

    Go to the computer's BIOS boot menu to have it boot from the USB drive.

    Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10, making sure to choose "Custom install" and select the option to delete all existing partitions.

    Once the installation is complete, you'll have a clean installation of Windows 10 on your computer.

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