Do you have a Windows 10 PC infected with viruses or malware? Do you want to sell your PC or laptop? Are you facing hanging issues with your Windows 10 computer? A factory reset can solve all these issues.
A factory reset from the boot menu can restore your computer to its original settings. How to factory reset Windows 10 from the boot menu? This article will give a step-by-step guide on how to perform Windows 10 Factory Reset from Boot.
Part 1. Windows 10 Factory Reset from Boot Usage
A factory reset brings a device to its original state by erasing all the previously stored data, settings, software, and programs on the device. It does not delete the operating system of the device. Factory reset is performed for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons are listed below.
Remove Viruses and Malware
Some malware and viruses are difficult to remove as they have made different deep-level changes to system settings. Factory reset is the only solution to this problem, as factory reset restores a device to its original settings.
Before Selling a Device
You might want to sell your device to someone. You might be a data breach victim if you do not delete your data before selling the device. It is a good practice to perform a factory reset before selling the device. A factory reset wipes off all the data on your device. You will be logged off from all signed-in accounts of different applications and websites.
Solve Performance Related Issues
Sometimes, your computer performance gets degraded due to hanging and freezing issues. It may be due to less available storage space for the applications to work efficiently or other problems with your device. A factory reset helps to revive your PC's health state. It wipes off all cache and app data and brings your computer back to its factory state.
Part 2. How to perform Windows 10 Factory Reset from Boot?
There are different methods available for Windows 10 factory reset from boot. We will discuss each method in detail.
Method 1. Factory Reset Windows 10 or Windows 11 Using the Built-In Method
You can easily reset your Windows 10 Computer from settings. Remember to backup all your important files before performing a factory reset, and follow these steps.
Step 1: Click the Start Menu and click Settings.
Step 2: Click Update & Security from the Settings Menu.
Step 3: In Update & Security, go to the Recovery tab.
Step 4: Click the Get Started button under the Reset this PC option.
Choose how you would like to reinstall Windows. There are two options available: Cloud download and Local reinstall.
Step 5:
Step 6: On the next window of additional settings, click Change Settings and select which data and drives to erase.
Step 7: If you want to sell your PC, select the Clean Data option to Yes. Doing this will make it more challenging to recover your deleted files.
Step 8: The factory reset normally deletes all files from the Windows drive. If you want to delete data from all drives, you can toggle the Delete files from all drives to Yes. It will erase data from all drives of the hard disk. Click the Confirm button; your PC will restart to install fresh Windows.
This process is easy to follow and straightforward. You can use this method if you want to sell your PC and want to wipe out all data from your device.
Method 2. Reset Windows to Factory Settings Without Using Setting
You can also use other methods to reset your Windows 10 computer. One of these methods is using the Fresh Start option. Here is a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Type Windows Security in the search bar and open the Windows Security app.
Step 2: Go to the Device Performance & health tab.
Step 3: Observe the health report of your PC. It shows the health status of Windows Time Service, Storage capacity, Battery life, and Apps and Software.
Step 4: If there are health issues with the services mentioned above, click the Get Started button under the Fresh Start button.
Step 5: Click the Yes button from the permission dialogue box to allow the Fresh Start process to start.
Step 6: Click the Next button in the Fresh Start dialog box.
Step 7: You will be given a list of all the programs and apps that will be removed from your PC. Click the Next button.
Step 8: On the next screen, all the processes will be listed; click the Start button.
Step 9: A process box will show the progress of the process, and your computer will restart with a fresh Windows.
This process is helpful if you face performance issues with your device, do not want to wipe out all your data, and just want to refresh your PC.
3. Factory Reset Windows 10 With USB
If you cannot reset your PC using the above-listed methods, or your PC is not booting up, you can perform a factory reset using any installation media, e.g., a recovery boot USB. However, remember that this method cannot keep your files intact. Follow the below steps for a Windows 10 factory reset from the boot without password.
Step 1: Connect the recovery USB to your PC.
Step 2: Power on the system and press the F9 key with the keyboard to go to the boot menu from BIOS. This key may vary depending on your system. You can check the specific key from your system’s manufacturer's website.
Step 3: Highlight the USB drive with the help of the arrow key and press enter.
Step 4: The system will load recovery software from the USB.
Step 5: Choose the Keyboard layout and then select the Troubleshoot option from the menu.
Step 6: Select Recover from a drive option.
Step 7: Select Just remove my files or Fully clean the PC from the next window. If you want to use this PC, select the first option, and if you want to sell it out or discard it, select the second option.
Step 8: After cleaning the files, click the Recover button.
Step 7: A fresh version of Windows will be installed on your PC.
This advanced method is helpful if your system is not booting up and you cannot access the Windows operating system. You will need a recovery USB for this purpose.
Part 3. Best Free Office Suite on Your PC- WPS Office
WPS Office is an industry-leading and widely used office software. It is an all-in-one office solution with a Word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and PDF software. It is the best alternative to Microsoft Office as it has all the basic and advanced features of Microsoft Office. Here is a comparison of different WPS Office and Microsoft Office aspects that will help you decide which office suite is the best.
Price
WPS Office is free to use for everyone. The standard version of WPS Office is equipped with all the basic features and functions. On the other hand, Microsoft Office is not available for free. You can only use the web version of Microsoft Office 365 for free. You must pay a subscription fee to use the desktop version.
Compatibility
WPS Office is available for Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. It is also compatible with all Microsoft Office, LibreOffice file formats, and other Office suites. However, you can use Microsoft Office on limited platforms, and it is also not compatible with different file formats available nowadays.
Features
WPS Office is equipped with different valuable and productive features. You can convert between different file formats using WPS Office. You can also edit your PDF files using WPS Office. Other helpful features include Auto Backup, Screen Recording, real-time collaboration, etc. On the other hand, Microsoft Office does not have these features.
User-Friendly Interface
WPS Office has a unique, modern, and user-friendly interface. You can easily navigate and access different options and features. WPS Office also has built-in templates to style and design your documents easily.
FAQs
1. What are the risks of factory reset?
Factory reset is a helpful tool. However, certain risks are also associated with it. These risks include data loss, malware persistence, time consumption, etc.
2. Which is the best Office suite?
WPS Office is the best office suite available nowadays. It is used by millions of users worldwide. It is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS users.
Windows 10 Factory Reset From Boot - Wrap-Up
There are different methods available for Windows 10 system restore from boot. You can select any of these methods. Different Office suites may cause hanging and freezing issues to your computer.
WPS Office is a lightweight office suite and does not take up much space on your device. It also does not affect the performance of your PC. WPS Office is a modern and all-in-one office suite to fulfill all your office productivity needs. You can download WPS Office from its official website for free.
