Open the Start Menu and select Settings.

  1. Click Update & Security.
  2. Go to the left hand side, scroll down and click on Recovery.
  3. From there, go to Reset this PC. …
  4. A prompt will appear with two options, Keep My Files or Remove Everything. …
  5. Click the Change settings option.
  6. Turn the Data Erasure toggle switch to on.

Besides, Does a factory reset delete everything PC?

During the factory resetting process, your PC’s hard drive is completely erased and you lose any business, financial and personal files that may be present on the computer. Once the resetting process starts, you cannot interrupt it.

Keeping this in mind, How do I wipe my old computer before recycling? Simply go to the Start Menu and click on Settings. Navigate to Update & Security, and look for the recovery menu. From there you just select Reset this PC and follow the instructions from there. It may ask you to erase data either “quickly” or “thoroughly” — we suggest taking the time to do the latter.

How do I wipe my computer of personal data?

For Windows 10, go to the Start Menu and click on Settings. Then navigate to Update & Security, and find the Recovery menu. Next, select Reset this PC and choose Get Started. Follow the instructions to revert your computer back to when it was first unboxed.

What is the process of deleting all the data on the hard drive?

Formatting is the process of deleting all the data on the hard drive.

What does a factory reset do PC?

What does a factory reset do? A factory reset – also referred to as a Windows system restore – returns your computer to the same state it was in when it rolled off the assembly line. It will remove files and programs you’ve created and installed, delete drivers and return settings to their defaults.

What happens if I reset my computer to factory settings?

It puts all applications back into their original state and removes anything that wasn’t there when the computer left the factory. That means user data from the applications will also be deleted. … Factory resets are simple because they’re programs included on the computer when you first get your hands on it.

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.

Do I need to wipe my computer before recycling?

Before donating or recycling your computer, you need to completely wipe or remove the hard drives. By doing so, you will ensure that the data on the hard drives will be completely erased and untraceable by data thieves.

How do I safely dispose of an old computer?

So what are your options? You can recycle or donate your computer. Computer manufacturers, electronics stores, and other organizations have computer recycling or donation programs. Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s Electronics Donation and Recycling page to learn about recycling or donating your computer.

How do I wipe my computer and delete everything?


To reset your PC

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. …
  2. Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or click Recovery.
  3. Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, tap or click Get started.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

How do I remove all personal data from Windows 10?

Wipe Your Drive in Windows 10

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and click Get Started under Reset this PC. You are then asked if you want to keep your files or delete everything. Select Remove Everything, click Next, then click Reset. Your PC goes through the reset process and reinstalls Windows.

How do I wipe my work laptop for personal use?

An easy way to get there is to type ‘Reset PC’ into the search bar in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen and select the ‘Reset this PC’ option. If you then select the ‘Get Started’ button, your laptop will walk you through the reset process. Select ‘Remove everything’ for a full wipe.

What is the process of deleting all the data on the hard drive * delete erase formatting uninstall?


While a formatted drive appears empty, however, the data that used to reside there may be recoverable, given the right tools.

  1. Deletion. Formatting is essentially the same process as deleting a file on a hard drive, except you delete every file at once. …
  2. Quick vs. Full. …
  3. Recovery. …
  4. Disk Wiping.

How do you wipe a computer hard drive clean?


How to Wipe a Windows 8 and 8.1 Hard Drive

  1. Go to Settings → Change PC Settings → Update and Recovery → Recovery.
  2. Under “Remove everything and reinstall Windows,” click “Get started,” then click “Next.”
  3. Select “Fully clean the drive.” This takes longer, but it’s the most secure option.
  4. Click “Reset” to start the process.

Can you delete information from a hard drive?

Right-click on a file or folder, then click on Eraser for the option to Erase data completely. By default, the program is set to overwrite data 35 times, which can take several hours on a large hard drive. Beware: once deleted, there is no recovering your data.

Is factory reset good for PC?

Factory resets help to fix large application errors or issues with the operating system. They can even help re-establish a strong connection between the hardware and BIOS, making the computer perform as fast and stably as it did when it left the factory.

Does factory reset make PC faster?

Does Restarting Your Laptop Make It Faster. The short term answer to that question is yes. A factory reset will temporarily make your laptop run faster. Though after some time once you start loading up files and applications it could return to the same sluggish speed as before.

When should you factory reset your computer?

Yes, it is a good idea to reset Windows 10 if you can, preferably every six months, when possible. Most users only resort to a Windows reset if they are having problems with their PC. However, tons of data get stored over time, some with your intervention but most without it.

Will my computer run faster if I factory reset?

Does Restarting Your Laptop Make It Faster. The short term answer to that question is yes. A factory reset will temporarily make your laptop run faster. Though after some time once you start loading up files and applications it could return to the same sluggish speed as before.

Is factory reset good?

It will not remove the device’s operating system (iOS, Android, Windows Phone) but will go back to its original set of apps and settings. Also, resetting it doesn’t harm your phone, even if you end up doing it multiple times.

When should I factory reset my computer?

Yes, it is a good idea to reset Windows 10 if you can, preferably every six months, when possible. Most users only resort to a Windows reset if they are having problems with their PC. However, tons of data get stored over time, some with your intervention but most without it.

Is factory reset harmful?

It will not remove the device’s operating system (iOS, Android, Windows Phone) but will go back to its original set of apps and settings. Also, resetting it doesn’t harm your phone, even if you end up doing it multiple times.

Is factory reset safe?

When you do a factory reset on your Android device, it erases all the data on your device. … Google introduced FRP in Android 5.0 Lollipop as an extra layer of security to prevent anyone from being able to reset and sell your device if lost or stolen.

Is it good to factory reset phone?

You shouldn’t have to regularly factory reset your phone. … Over time, data and cache can build up in your phone, making a reset necessary. The best way to prevent the need for doing a factory reset and keep your phone running smoothly is to simply restart your phone a couple times a week and perform regular cache wipes.