If your Windows 10 device is acting up, running Microsoft's Refresh Windows tool or uninstalling the recent updates of the Windows might be of some help. You can even run some own diagnostic tests to make sure your hard disc is running smoothly. But if your Windows is sluggish or you're getting error messages that are worrying you, it is high time that you should back up all your data and reset your PC.
The following steps will get your computer running smoothly again.
A) Recovery Settings.
The first thing that you need to keep in mind is to backup all your data before you reset your computer. Otherwise, all your data would be lost.
So, first, click on the start menu, then click on the gear icon on the lower-left side of the options to open up the settings window. You can also go to the settings menu from the settings app from the app list or by searching for it.
Under settings, first, click on the Update & Security and then move onto the Recovery tab.
Now click on Get started under the Reset this PC heading.
B) Do you want to save your files or delete your files?
Now, you have two options: You can either choose to keep your personal files and only remove downloaded apps and settings, or you can wipe everything and start from scratch. Both choices will also give you additional settings to change.
If you are resetting Windows to get rid of some bugs or sort any issue with your computer, try to Keep my files first. If you plan to get rid of the computer, Remove everything is the way to go.
C) Reinstalling Windows.
Then you will be asked about how you want to reinstall windows; Cloud download or Local reinstall. The cloud option was added in the May 2020 update, it pulls Windows installation files from Microsoft's servers, instead of asking your computer to gather necessary files from local storage.
Although Windows gives you the choice, the cloud download option is meant to be a more reliable and faster option over using local files that may end up being corrupted. It's also a better option than booting from a USB stick.
D) Additional Settings
When you choose to Keep my files, apps and settings will go back to default, that is, to what they were when the PC was brand new, but all of your personal files will be saved. All the pre-returned apps will also be returned, but you can avoid this from happening by clicking Change settings on the Additional Settings screen and switching it off.
If you want everything to be deleted, click Remove everything, and Windows will simply delete all your files. This is the default option, and it is also the quickest way to remove your personal files. However, you can also choose to just clear the drive completely by clicking Change settings at the Additional Settings screen and toggling the Clean data? option to Yes.
Although this will take several hours to complete, it's the more secure option. Microsoft recommends wiping the drive completely if you're wanting to get rid of your PC, which will make it even tougher to recover the deleted files.
E) Reset your Computer
Once all your decisions are made, click Next, and Windows will generate a screen that summarizes all the decisions that you have made. If you selected Keep my files, you can look at a list of apps that will be removed with the reset.
Finally, click the Reset button to actually commit. Your computer will restart, and after a few minutes, it will boot back up again. If you are getting rid of the computer, your work is now over. Otherwise, you can sign back into Windows 10 and make sure that whatever you chose to be deleted has been deleted and your computer is no more sluggish.
If you backed up your files using any online backing up service or a Recovery Drive, now they can be restored to the device.
Now let’s take a look at some FAQs.
Q. When should we opt to reset our Computer?
Ans. The answer is whenever you feel that your PC is acting up, it could be processing slow, it could be sluggish. Anytime you feel your PC is not up to its standards, it's time to reset.
Q. Is there a risk of losing all the data when we reset our Computer?
Ans. It is not a risk per se. You just need to have the backup ready before resetting the computer and you are all set. No worries.
Q. Can you be selective in which files and data to erase?
Ans. Of Course, you can be selective. How can you select the data that is to be erased and not to be erased has been specified in this article itself. Refer to “ B) Do you want to save your files or Delete your files?”
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