How To Perform A Full Factory Reset On A Windows 10 Laptop Computer

Question

Please feel free to reference the originating questions linked below for both details and context:

• Creating/Finding Available Disk Space To Go Back To A Previous Version Of Windows 10
• How To "Go Back To A Previous Version Of Windows 10" After Option Is Closed

As the Microsoft Answers forum is preparing to sunset in the next few days, and an apparent cessation of user engagement had taken hold with my topics listed above, I've decided to altogether transition the discussion over to the Microsoft Q&A forum in the hopes of finally bringing the matter to a close.

In attempting to summarize the key points of the original questions above (which I again encourage everyone to read for themselves in full above -- it may answer any subsequent questions one has after absorbing this topic), an abrupt display error struck a laptop computer I've been borrowing, and in an effort to fix it, a reset was performed to troubleshoot the error; however, the end result was only mildly satisfying, and a number of attempts to return to the original operating system were stymied due to security and storage complications. The original installation was lost automatically after a couple weeks' time, and recent efforts to roll back the laptop to its original settings and operating system has yielded little of which to speak. Since users of the other Microsoft Answers forum have not offered any new advice in its final days since my last personal update on the topic, I am trying my luck here on the new Microsoft Q&A forum.

To reiterate, I am hoping to perform a complete factory reset on this laptop, including a possible restoration of its original factory-installed version of the Windows 10 operating system. A couple of resets have already been performed by now, but I've not quite gotten the results I'd have liked to see; is it possible that I just haven't yet done the right kind of reset on this laptop?

For the benefit of expediency, I will share some of the pertinent details that would have been found on the linked topics above: the laptop in question is an HP Stream purchased in December 2019 which runs Windows 10 Home In S Mode. To learn greater details about the device in question, or about what methods may have been attempted before (including any complications and setbacks), I welcome anyone to read the Microsoft Answers questions listed above; chances are, those answers may already have been posted there in some form over the past month-and-a-half.

As before, and as always, thanks in advance for any helpful responses.

A. MartinD. (had to strike the second 'period [.]' for the profile name on this new forum)

Answer 1

Hello A. Martin D,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A.

I understand your needs. To perform a complete factory reset on a Windows 10 laptop, you can use the built-in “Reset this PC” feature in Windows. This function offers two main reset options, depending on your needs:

1. “Keep my files” – This option removes all installed apps and settings but retains your personal files.
2. “Remove everything” – This option removes all personal files, apps, and settings, restoring the PC to a near factory state. If you’re planning to sell or give away your laptop, this is the recommended choice.

Based on your description of wanting a full factory reset, I recommend choosing the “Remove everything” option.

Before you begin, please note the following:

• Back up your important data! The “Remove everything” option will wipe all data on the hard drive. Ensure you back up personal files (documents, photos, videos, music, etc.) to an external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage.
• Have your Microsoft account or local account credentials ready.
• Keep the laptop plugged into a power source during the reset process to avoid interruptions due to battery drain.

Important Note about “Reset this PC”:

Please understand that the “Reset this PC” feature in Windows 10 relies on the recovery partition or existing Windows image on your system.

• The limitation here is that if the current Windows installation (i.e., the recovery source) is corrupted, missing files, or has damaged system components, the reset may not resolve deeper issues. In some cases, it may even fail to complete.
• In other words, if the recovery image itself is compromised, then performing a reset won’t truly return the PC to its original factory condition, since it’s still using a damaged source.

Steps to Perform a Factory Reset:

1. Open the Settings app:
   • Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the lower-left corner of the screen.
     • Click the gear icon for Settings, or type “Settings” in the search bar and open it.
     1. Navigate to “Update & Security”:
        • In the Settings window, select Update & Security.
        1. Choose “Recovery”:
           • In the left-hand menu, click on Recovery.
           1. Start the reset process:
              • Under the “Reset this PC” section, click Get started.
              1. Select the reset option – “Remove everything”:
                 • You’ll be given two options: “Keep my files” and “Remove everything”.
                   • Select “Remove everything”.
                   1. Choose how to clean the drive:
                      • “Just remove my files” – Faster, but data might still be recoverable with special tools.
                        • “Remove files and clean the drive” – More thorough and secure. Recommended if you’re fully resetting the PC.
                        1. Confirm and begin the reset:
                           • Windows will show a summary of what will happen (e.g., remove all files, reset settings).
                             • Review the information and click Reset to proceed.

The reset process will begin. This may take some time, depending on your hardware and the cleaning option you selected. The computer may restart several times during this process.

Once the reset is complete, your laptop will start with the initial setup screen—just like when you first unboxed it. You can follow the on-screen prompts to set up Windows 10 again.

If “Reset this PC” Doesn’t Work or Issues Remain After Reset:

If the above method fails to resolve your issues, or errors occur during the reset process, this likely indicates that your system recovery partition or local image is corrupted. In such cases, you should consider reformatting and reinstalling the OS from scratch.

Here’s what we strongly recommend:

1. Contact your laptop manufacturer’s support:
   • Explain the issue and let them know you’ve already tried the reset.
     • Request the original factory image for your device model. This usually comes as a recovery disc, USB recovery tool, or downloadable file.
       • These factory images typically include all necessary drivers and pre-installed software, and are verified stable by the manufacturer.
       1. Regarding Windows 10 in S Mode:
          • If your laptop is currently running Windows 10 in S Mode, a reset will usually restore it to S Mode.
            • However, if your goal is to exit S Mode (e.g., to install apps outside the Microsoft Store), you’ll need to do that after the reset. Once you switch out of S Mode via the Microsoft Store, you cannot go back to S Mode.

I hope this information helps clarify the situation for you. Let me know if you’d like assistance with any specific step.

Best wishes

Ami | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist