This wikiHow teaches you how to restore a Windows or MacOS computer hard drive to its original factory settings.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Resetting Windows 10 Drive to Factory Defaults
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Step 1. Click menu
This menu is usually in the lower-left corner of the screen.
- This method will erase all data stored on the hard drive and replace it with the factory default settings.
- Make sure you have backed up all data before starting the reset process.
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Step 2. Click
"Settings".
This option is at the bottom of the menu.
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Step 3. Click Update & security
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Step 4. Click Recovery
This option is in the left column.
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Step 5. Click Get started in the “Reset this PC” section
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Step 6. Select Remove everything
With this option, all applications and personal data will be deleted from the hard drive.
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Step 7. Select the blank drive option
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Step 8. Click Next
A new confirmation message will be displayed.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 9 Step 9. Click Reset
Windows will start the reset process. Once the process is complete, follow the on-screen prompts to set up and prepare Windows, just like when you bought a new computer.
Method 2 of 4: Formatting a Second Hard Drive on a Windows Computer
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 10 Step 1. Press Win+S
The Windows search bar will appear.
This method helps you delete data from a computer hard drive that is not designated as the primary hard drive
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 11 Step 2. Type in management
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 12 Step 3. Click Computer Management
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 13 Step 4. Select Disk Management in the “Storage” section
This option is in the left column. You may need to click the arrow next to the “Storage” text to see the “Disk Management” options. A list of hard drives connected to the computer will be displayed.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 14 Step 5. Right-click the disk that needs to be reset
You can select a different drive than the one on which the Windows operating system is installed.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 15 Step 6. Click Format
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 16 Step 7. Click Yes
The data on the selected hard drive will be deleted afterwards.
Method 3 of 4: Resetting Hard Drive on MacOS to Factory Defaults
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 17 Step 1. Make sure the computer is connected to the internet network
You'll need to access the Mac's default settings once the hard drive has been emptied. Therefore, the computer must be connected to the internet network.
- This method will erase all data from the hard drive and replace it with the factory default settings.
- Make sure you have backed up your data before starting the reset process.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 18 Step 2. Click menu
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 19 Step 3. Click Restart…
The Mac computer will shut down and restart. You need to perform the next step before the login page is displayed. Therefore, you must act quickly.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 20 Step 4. Press Command+R on a blank gray page
This page is displayed after the computer is shut down and restarted. The “Utilities” panel will open.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 21 Step 5. Click Disk Utility
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 22 Step 6. Select a hard drive
The drive name will be different for each computer, but is usually displayed in the left pane. Look for a drive with a name like “startup disk”.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 23 Step 7. Click the Erase tab
This tab is on the main panel.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 24 Step 8. Click Format
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 25 Step 9. Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 26 Step 10. Click Erase
The data on the hard drive will be erased and the drive will be reformatted. This process takes a few minutes to several hours. After that, follow the steps shown on the screen to complete the process and set up your computer like a new computer.
Method 4 of 4: Formatting a Second Drive on MacOS
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 27 Step 1. Click the magnifying glass icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 28 Step 2. Type disk utility
A list of search results will be displayed.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 29 Step 3. Click Disk Utility – Utilities
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 30 Step 4. Click the drive you want to format
You cannot select the drive on which the operating system is installed.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 31 Step 5. Click Erase
It's at the top of the window.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 32 Step 6. Type a new name for the selected hard drive
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 33 Step 7. Select the drive format and scheme
The options you need to choose will depend on your needs.
Reset a Hard Drive on PC or Mac Step 34 Step 8. Click Erase
The selected hard drive will be emptied and reformatted afterwards.