If you want to recycle your PC, give it away, or start over with it, you can reset it completely. This removes everything and reinstalls Windows. Note: If you upgraded your PC from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 and your PC has a Windows 8 recovery partition, resetting your PC will restore Windows 8.
Do you lose Windows if you factory reset?
The resetting process removes the applications and files installed on the system, then reinstalls Windows and any applications that were originally installed by your PC’s manufacturer, including trial programs and utilities.
Does factory resetting your computer delete everything?
It’s important to regularly backup your computer so you don’t lose any important files, and especially important before you restore a computer to factory settings. Resetting your computer will remove all your files and programs, so a backup is essential if you don’t want your files to be deleted.
How do I reinstall Windows 8 after reset?
Resetting Windows 8
- Press “Win-C” or navigate to the Charms Bar in either the top right or bottom right of your screen.
- Click on the “Settings” tab, press “Change PC Settings,” and then navigate to “General.”
- Scroll down the page until you see “Remove Everything and Reinstall Windows.” Click “Get Started.”
What are the disadvantages of factory reset?
But if we reset our device because we noticed that its snappiness has slowed down, the biggest drawback is the loss of data, so it is essential to backup all your data, contacts, photos, videos, files, music, before resetting.
How do you completely Reset a Windows computer?
To reset your PC
- Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. …
- Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Recovery.
- Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, tap or click Get started.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
Is it bad to factory reset your PC?
It’s useful to reset errors with an operating system or helping restore the computer’s functionality or speed. … Factory resets leave data in the hard drive, so those pieces will live on until your hard drive is overwritten with new data. In short, the reset can give you a false sense of security.
How do I permanently delete everything off my laptop?
Android
- Open Settings.
- Tap System and expand the Advanced drop-down.
- Tap Reset options.
- Tap Erase all data.
- Tap Reset Phone, enter your PIN, and select Erase Everything.
Is it bad to factory reset your laptop?
A factory reset restores the bloatware your system originally came with. It weighs down your system and you shouldn’t have to put up with that. … After a time, the computer might run slow or throw errors and you might be tempted to restore to factory settings.
How do I restore Windows 8 without a disk?
Refresh without installation media
- Boot into the system and go to Computer > C: , where C: is the drive where your Windows is installed on.
- Create a new folder. …
- Insert the Windows 8/8.1 installation media and go to the Source folder. …
- Copy the install.wim file.
- Paste the install.wim file to the Win8 folder.
How do you get into Windows 8 if you forgot your password?
If you’ve forgotten your Windows 8.1 password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:
- If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.
- If you’re using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. …
- If you’re using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.
How do I factory reset a Windows 8 computer?
Factory reset Windows 8
- The first step is to open the system settings using the Windows shortcut ‘Windows’ key + ‘i’.
- From there, select “Change PC settings”.
- Click on “Update & Recovery” and then on “Recovery”.
- Then select “Get started” under the heading “Remove everything and reinstall Windows”.