One of the most common practices since Windows is Windows, is to solve almost any problem by taking the drastic step of formatting the computer and reinstalling the operating system. So normal it is, that Microsoft itself basically decided to include the function within Windows 10.
Maybe you know it, maybe not. But the option to reset the computer in Windows 10 can help you solve many problems on your computer by returning Windows to its original state, as newly installed, and best of all is that you also have the ability to do so and keep your files.
If you wonder how to know when it’s time to restore the system, Microsoft gives you an answer that seems obvious and even funny: when the computer does not work properly and you’re not sure why.
Remember that if in your case the failures appear after updating to a new version of Windows , you can always try with the option to return to a previous compilation, it is much faster than resetting and you lose absolutely nothing.
How to reset Windows 10
Press the Windows + I key to open the Settings panel. Then click on Update and security> Recovery> Reset this PC> Start.
Once pressed the button to start will appear a popup window that will give you two different options to reset your computer. The first one lets you keep files, and the second one says to remove everything.
To be clear, the first option will reinstall Windows 10 keeping your personal files. You will remove the installed applications and drivers, it will eliminate the changes made in the configuration.
The second option reinstalls Windows 10 and removes all personal files, applications, drivers, configuration changes and applications installed by the manufacturer, but if your computer came with Windows 10, the manufacturer’s apps will be reinstalled.
While both options delete the settings you have set, remember that many Windows settings (up to the wallpaper) can be synchronized with your Microsoft account if you use it to log on to the computer. So in this way you can keep several settings when you log in again.
How to reset Windows from the login screen
If you do not have access to Windows or you can not open the Configuration panel, you can also reset the computer if you restart from the login screen. You can show the login screen if you press the Windows + L key.
From the login screen, press the SHIFT or Shift key at the same time you select the Start / Stop button and then select the Restart option . This will show the troubleshooting screen and advanced startup.
There, choose, Solve problems and then select Reset this PC.
The process can take more or less time depending on several things, the speed of the hardware you have, the amount of files you have stored, or the astral alignment of the planets.
In some cases it can work very fast and leave the equipment as new in a few minutes. In others unfortunately you can spend hours and you will continue to see the animation of waiting for an eternity.
In some cases the restoration fails and you probably have no choice but to download a Windows image and make a completely clean installation. If something is important that you remember is to have the equipment connected to an outlet in case it is portable, you do not want it to be turned off in the middle of the process.