How to Factory Reset A Laptop (+ Data Recovery)

One of the most drastic measures users can perform on their Windows laptops is factory reset. Not only does it reverse and restore everything to factory settings, but it also erases all the content stored on the device. This is especially true if you really need to factory reset your laptop due to:

• Virus attack of unknown origin
• Internal HDD/SSD corruption
• OS software glitch (blue screen, crashing, etc.)

Besides these, you may want to factory reset your laptop simply because you want a fresh start. However, you may be a bit lost if it’s your first time resetting a computer. In truth, you really don’t have to be techy to perform it. You just need the proper tutorial on how to factory reset a laptop.

Well, you’re on the right page. In this article, we’ve detailed the steps to reset a laptop, and we’ve also included a way to recover data after a factory reset just in case. Read on!

Part 1: What Is Factory Reset

For starters, Factory Reset is a software restore feature that’s built into electronic devices, including laptops. Other terms synonymous with it are hard reset, format, and master reset.

Factory reset typically restores the device to its original factory settings, removing all content and data that were added including programs, files, customizations, and more. This means that everything is erased except the original system settings.

However, there are two factory reset options on Windows desktops and laptops. The first one is to erase everything, while the second option is to erase all programs and restore the settings without deleting personal files (documents, photos, etc.). The former is what you should go for if you want a full factory reset

Why Do I Need Factory Reset

Factory reset is the simplest way to get rid of any issues on your laptop. If there’s the software has been infected by a virus or there’s a spreading data corruption. It’s one great way to troubleshoot and fix the issue without having to spend money. You don’t have to hire technicians to look for and fix the problem for you.

Part 2: How to Factory Reset Laptop (Windows 8/8.1/10/11)

In this tutorial, we’ve only included Windows versions 8/8.1, 10, and 11. They are the most common versions that Windows laptops use these days, especially 10 and 11. The reset process varies slightly depending on the OS versions your laptop is running on.

Steps to Factory Reset Laptop on Windows 8/8.1

Step 1

Place the pointer in the upper-right corner of the display and then slide it down. Hit Settings and select Change PC Settings.

Step 2

There, go to Update and Recovery and click Recovery. Then, hit Get Started right below Remove everything and reinstall Windows. There will be instructions on the screen. Just follow them.

Step 3

There will be two options to erase data quickly or erase data thoroughly. The former leaves traces of the deleted files while the latter completely deletes all data. Just continue the process and wait until your laptop reboots.

Steps to Factory Reset Laptop on Windows 10

Step 1

Click on the Windows logo on the taskbar. Then, tap on the Settings icon. There, choose Update & Security and proceed to Recovery. There, you will see different recovery options.

Step 2

Look for the Get Started option and click on it. It’s under the Reset This PC section. Choose whether to “Keep my files” or “Remove Everything”. Choose the latter if a factory reset is what you want. Then, just continue the process until it’s done.

Steps to Factory Reset Laptop on Windows 11

Step 1

Launch the the Windows Menu from the taskbar. Then, click on the Setting icon. You can find it together with other apps.

Step 2

There, scroll down and click on the Recovery settings. Then, hit the Reset PC button once you’re in the Recovery menu.

Step 3

A window will appear and you have to select from two options. Choose Remove Everything to proceed with the factory reset. After that, continue the instructions on the screen until the reset process starts.

Part 3: Is it Possible to Recover Data after A Factory Reset on your Laptop

In case you’ve reset your laptop in haste and you’ve forgotten to back up your precious files, you may feel defeated as factory reset seems like a dead end. Well, the truth is it’s not. You can still recover data even after the factory reset.

But for recovery to be possible, you may need to use Data Recovery programs like Tenorshare 4DDiG. Such an app can make the recovery process much easier, especially for less techy users.

Bonus: Recover Data After Factory Reset with Tenorshare 4DDiG

The easiest and safest way to recover data after a factory reset is by using 4DDiG. Once you install this program on your laptop, you can use it to scan for the critical data and files you’ve lost and recover them in bulk or selectively in just one click. How convenient is that? You don’t need to follow complex steps. You just scan, select, and recover.

It’s the safest option if the reason you reset the laptop in the first place is virus/data corruption. 4DDiG makes sure that you won’t accidentally recover any files that are infected/corrupted. In fact, the app recovers files and removes any issues. You can really rest easy that all your recovered files are free of viruses, corruption, and errors.

Moreover, 4DDiG can recover data on both SSD and HDD. So, you don’t really have to worry about the type of storage device your laptop is using. Not to mention, compatibility isn’t an issue as well. This app can run on Windows 11 and earlier versions.

Step 1

Download the program and install it on the target laptop. Launch the app and select the drive where your important files were originally located.

Step 2

Next, hit the scan button to start looking for all the erased files. If you are looking for specific files, you may enter their names on the search bar on the upper-right side of the interface. Then, a list of all related files should start appearing on the screen.

Step 3

After that, select the files you wish to recover and hit the Recover button. Then, select the file destination on the pop-up window and proceed. Just wait for a minute or two and the files should be recovered in the chosen folder right away.

Conclusion

To factory reset a laptop means data, files, and everything that comes with them. If you wish to reset yours to get rid of issues, just follow the steps above according to the OS version. But in case you regret or forget to make a backup, just know that you can recover data after a factory reset. Just refer to the methods we’ve presented to do it the right way.