Resetting your computer or returning it to its original settings is an ideal step when you want to reinstall your operating system from scratch or sell your computer to a third-party seller. The computer reset method to follow depends on the model, manufacturer, and operating system.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Windows 10
Step 1. Back up all personal data that you want to save to an external disk, flash drive, or cloud storage system
The computer reset process will delete all personal files and data from the system.
Step 2. Click “Settings” and select “Update and security”
Step 3. Click “Reset this PC” and select “Get started”
Step 4. Select one of the reset options
Windows 10 allows you to reset your computer and keep all personal data, delete all programs and data, or restore the operating system to factory defaults.
-
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Windows 10 computer
Once done, Windows 10 will display the initial setup page.
Method 2 of 4: Windows 8.1/8
Reset Your Computer Step 6 Step 1. Back up all personal data that you want to save to an external disk, flash drive, or cloud storage system
The computer reset process will delete all personal files and data from the system.
Reset Your Computer Step 7 Step 2. Click “Settings” and select “Change PC Settings”
Reset Your Computer Step 8 Step 3. Click “Update and recovery”, then select “Recovery”
Reset Your Computer Step 9 Step 4. Click the “Get started” option under the “Remove everything and reinstall Windows” segment
Reset Your Computer Step 10 Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Windows 8 computer
When finished, Windows 8 will display the initial setup page.
A computer reset will return Windows 8 to your computer if you previously upgraded your operating system to Windows 8.1. After the reset process is complete, you will be prompted to upgrade the operating system back to Windows 8.1
Method 3 of 4: Windows 7/Vista
Step 1. Back up any personal data you want to save to an external disk, flash drive, or cloud storage system
The process of resetting the computer will delete all files and personal data from the system.
Step 2. Restart the PC, then look at the computer screen for commands that can open the “Advanced Boot Options” menu
The commands used are different for each computer model and manufacturer. For example, on Dell computers, you usually need to press the F8 key, while on HP computers, you will need to press the F11 key.
Alternatively, insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's disk drive, access the menu “Control Panel” > “Recovery” > “Advanced Recovery Methods”, and select the option to reinstall Windows using the installation disc. Windows will guide you through the entire process of resetting your computer and reinstalling the operating system
Step 3. Press the dedicated key to open the “Advanced Boot Options” or “Recovery” menu
Step 4. Select the “Reset” or “Restore” option
This option may have a different label in Windows 7 or Windows Vista, depending on the computer model and manufacturer. However, this option usually has a label similar to “Restore factory settings”.
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the computer
When finished, Windows will display the initial setup page and the computer has been successfully restored to its factory settings.
Method 4 of 4: Mac OS X
Reset Your Computer Step 16 Step 1. Back up and save all personal or important data to an external disk, flash drive, or cloud storage system
Resetting OS X will delete all personal files and data from the computer.
Reset Your Computer Step 17 Step 2. Click the Apple menu and select “Restart”
Reset Your Computer Step 18 Step 3. Press and hold the “Command” + “R” keys after the computer restarts and the gray startup page is displayed
The operating system recovery menu will open afterwards.
Reset Your Computer Step 19 Step 4. Select “Disk Utility”, then click “Continue”
Reset Your Computer Step 20 Step 5. Select the primary disk or hard drive you want to reset from the left pane of the Disk Utility program window, then click the “Erase” tab
Reset Your Computer Step 21 Step 6. Select “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” from the “Format” drop-down menu
Reset Your Computer Step 22 Step 7. Type in the disk name, then click “Erase”
OS X will begin erasing and reformatting the hard drive. This process may take several minutes.
Reset Your Computer Step 23 Step 8. Click “Disk Utility” and select “Quit Disk Utility”
The Disk Utility program window will close.
Reset Your Computer Step 24 Step 9. Click “Reinstall OS X” and select “Continue”
Reset Your Computer Step 25 Step 10. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall OS X
Once done, the original/factory settings will be restored to the computer.
