Purchased my PC several months ago and decided to set it up for my work use immediately. Nevertheless, due to some circumstances, I had to take a break, and the laptop stayed unopened for several months. Now that I am back, I have been trying to reopen it, but unfortunately, I have forgotten the passcode. Is there any manner through which I can factory reset Windows 10 on my PC? (cannot use the F8 safe mode as it requires a passcode as well).
While Windows 10 and 11 both come with remarkably efficient features, one might have to deal with some issues while using them, such as irregular shutdowns, quick battery drainage, performance running applications, inefficient memory usage, and much more!
Whatsoever, in such a case, a wise approach would be to factory reset the Windows 10/11of your device to its factory settings. That being said, many people are not aware of the various methods to achieve this task conveniently. For your convenience, we have mentioned some tested ways to factory reset Windows 10/11 in this article. So, let us proceed further to enlighten you with these quick methods without further delay!
Part 1: Top 2 Ways for Factory Resetting Windows 10/11
In this guide, we will illuminate you with two quick methods using which one can conveniently reset their laptops or computers to their factory settings, provided that they operate on Windows 10 or 11. Here is a checklist of all the methods that we are going to discuss first:
- Factory Resetting Windows 10/11 from the settings.
- Factory Resetting Windows 10/11 using the recovery environment.
So, let us have a clear look at both these methods below.
Factory Resetting Windows 10/11 from Settings
Once you log into your Windows 10 or 11, you can easily reset your device to its default factory settings by using the settings application. For this, it would be best to follow the steps mentioned below in order:
- First, click on the ‘Start’ button and then on the ‘Settings’ menu to open the settings application. You can also use the Windows key and I as a keyboard shortcut.
Next, press the ‘Update and Recovery’option.
From the left-hand menu, select ‘Recovery’ and then click on ‘Get Started’ to reset your PC.
You will now be redirected to a new window that will display two options. You will have to opt for either ‘Keep My Files’ or ‘Remove Everything.’ In such a case, you should note that the applications, programs, and settings will be deleted from your device if you select either of these options.
By selecting ‘Remove everything,’ you can also choose to either just remove your files or remove your files and clean the drive.
Lastly, click on the Reset button that will permit your PC to reboot and commence the factory reset process automatically. However, it might require an hour or more.
Factory Resetting Windows 10/11 Using the Recovery Environment
Suppose that your PC becomes unbootable or crashes due to any reason. In such a case, you might not be able to perform a factory reset using the method mentioned above. So, a considerable approach would be to use your Windows 10/11 installation DVD for gaining access to the factory reset option. For this, it would help to consider following the steps mentioned below:
- In order to get started, boot your PC with the Windows 10/11 installation DVD. For this, you might have to make changes to the boot sequence in your BIOS, provided that booting from a DVD/CD is not enabled.
Select your language and keyboard layout from the Windows Setup screen. Then click on the ‘Next’ option.
From the next screen, press ‘Repair Your Computer.’ Do not press ‘Install Now.’
Press the troubleshoot option once the ‘Chose an Option’ screen appears.
Click on the ‘Reset this PC’ option.
Based on your personal preferences, click either on ‘Remove Everything’ or ‘Keep My Files.’
Then, you will be prompted to select the target operating system.
The ‘Only the drive where Windows is installed’ option allows you to restore the drive only on which Windows is installed. In contrast, the ‘All Drives’ option may be best for you if you wish to factory reset all the drives on your computer.
Next, you will gain be provided with two options to choose from: ‘Fully clean the drive’ and ‘Just remove my files.’ If you decide to clean the drive fully, all your data will be deleted.
Finally, the reset option will become visible, which will begin the factory default reset process.
FAQs About Factory Resetting Windows 10/11
Hopefully, you will get the answer to your questions by following the above two methods for factory resetting Windows 10/11. Below are additional answers to some frequently asked questions in this context.
Q1: Is Factory Resetting the PC a Good Idea?
Yes, it is a sound idea to reset your PC after every six months. Although most users only prefer resetting their PCs when they face any issues, this should not be a necessary condition. Over time, your PC gathers data, such as your personal information and OS activities.
Excess storage of this data can slow down your PC in the long run. So, factory resetting your PC after six months or a year would ensure continuous stability and optimum performance.
Q2: What Would Happen If I Factory Reset the PC?
The Windows 10/11 reset is formulated to reinstall the operating system in its genuine OEM state, similar to when you first purchased it. So, all pre-installed third-party applications, licenses, and functions of the device will reinstall and fix any existing errors in the PC.
Nevertheless, you should know that personal folders, such as My Contacts, My Documents, My Videos, etc., can be preserved while resetting your PC to its default factory settings.
Extra Tips: No Need to Reinstall Your PC When Forgot the Login Password
Don’t we all want to avoid reinstalling the PC when we forget our login details? Let us tell you how precisely you can get rid of this issue. As forgetting login credentials is a natural practice among individuals, a sound approach would be to create a password reset disk to stay ahead. Here is everything that you need to know about this:
- Foremost, insert a USB flash drive into your PC.
Type ‘Reset’ to create a password reset disk from the Windows search box.
- Once the forgotten password Wizard appears, press ‘Next.’
After selecting the USB flash disc, again press ‘Next.’
Lastly, click ‘Next’ and ‘Finish’ once the wizard completes making the reset disc. Remember to keep this disc safe, as you can use it to reset your Windows passcode without having to reinstall your PC if you cannot gain access to your account.
Introduction to PassFab 4Winkey
What if you do not have a reset disk to unlock your Windows device? You can bypass the Windows lock on your PC using another convenient method. PassFab 4WinKey is an application that assists users in resetting their Windows passwords without much work.
The most noteworthy feature of this app is that it provides effectively authentic solutions without impacting the device and bypassing numerous types of passwords. Furthermore, its advanced features guarantee to unlock any device within a few minutes.
How to Use PassFab 4Winkey to Reset Your Windows 10/11 Password?
Here are the instructions for resetting the password on Windows 10/11 using PassFab 4Winkey. Make sure to follow them carefully and in order.
First, install and launch the PassFab 4Winkey application on an unlocked device. Insert a USB into your device and press ‘Burn’ to establish a bootable drive and ‘Yes’ to confirm.
Now you can make use of this USB flash drive to unlock your PC after following a brief user tutorial.
Insert the USB disk into your locked device and restart it. At the same time, press ‘Esc’ to enter the boot menu. Using arrow keys, look for your bootable device and press it. Click on F10 to save your collection and then exit.
Once you open your device, the PassFab screen will pop up. From the drop-down menu, choose your account and select ‘Reset Account Password’ to continue.
- Now enter your new password in the dialogue box that appears and press ‘Reset.’ Your password should be kept as strong and easy to remember as possible.
Lastly, press ‘Reboot’ and sign in with your new password. Nonetheless, make sure to remove all the media before rebooting.
Final Notes
Many individuals feel overwhelmed after forgetting their Windows passwords as their devices get locked. Nevertheless, there are numerous methods for resetting the passcode on your Windows 10/11, one of them being through PassFab 4Winkey. This application provides remarkable features for resetting your Windows password, creating, or even deleting a Windows account. Even in the most complex situations, PassFab 4WinKey provides a quick and innovative solution to its users!