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How do I factory reset from the command prompt screen?

Anonymous
2024-09-04T14:21:46+00:00

I tried typing

:systemreset -factoryreset

and that did nothing. I just keep getting the line:

X:/Windows/System32>

Please help! I am not a super computer person and I can't figure this out. I cannot sign into the computer because we don't have the old users info (former employee who won't return calls)

Thanks!!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. DaveM121 872.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-04T14:54:47+00:00

    Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    Is there no option in the Recovery Environment to perform a Windows Reset without going into Command Prompt or are you blocked by a password?

    Click the power button on the Login screen.

    Press the Shift Key and click Restart

    Your PC will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment

    Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC

    Choose to keep your files and apps, just your files or to keep nothing

    Then start the Reset

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-02T16:01:44+00:00

    My Lenovo Thinkpad X1 is doing this exact thing. Log in screen is telling me that the account I normally use to log in isn’t authorized. It won’t start in safe mode. I’ve tried system restore from this screen and it displays an error message.

    Was there a windows update that is causing problems?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Les Ferch 10,326 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-09-05T14:48:37+00:00

    Please note that a factory reset typically takes the OS back to the version that shipped with the machine along with any bloatware that came preinstalled. Depending on how old the computer is, this could take you back to a pretty old version that you would then need to update and clean up.

    In general, you're better off doing a clean install via a boot from a flash drive. Here are the instructions for Windows 10:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

    I would actually recommend using Rufus instead the standard Windows media creator:

    https://rufus.ie/en/

    If you are prepping the computer for donation or resale, see the "Ctrl-Shift-F3 Method" at this answer: https://superuser.com/a/1828614/1283806

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  4. DaveM121 872.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-04T15:43:41+00:00

    If you are blocked by a password from resetting that device, that command will not work to start a reset, the only option will be to create a bootable Windows 10 USB on another working PC and use that to clean install Windows.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-09-04T15:41:29+00:00

    Hi Dave,

    I'm blocked by not the password :/

    I tried what you suggested and at the login screen I held the shift key while I clicked restart. It just restarted and brought me back to the login page. Any other ideas? Thanks!

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