If you plan to sell or give away your old computer, you should be aware that simply deleting files or formatting the drive doesn’t guarantee your data is completely erased. Many recovery tools can restore deleted files, posing a privacy risk. Therefore, the safest option is to reset Windows 10 and remove all personal data. The built-in “Reset this PC” feature in Windows 10 allows you to erase all personal files, installed applications, and system settings, restoring your device to a factory-like state.
1. Steps to Reset Windows 10
1️⃣ Open Windows Settings
– Click on the Start menu → Select Settings
– In the settings window, choose Update & Security
– Select Recovery from the left-hand menu
2️⃣ Select Reset Options
– Under Reset this PC, click Get Started
– Choose from the following options:
– Keep my files: Removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files
– Remove everything: Deletes all personal files, accounts, apps, and settings
✅ For a complete wipe, select “Remove everything”.
3️⃣ Choose Installation Method
– Local reinstall: Uses existing system files to reinstall Windows
– Cloud download: Downloads the latest version of Windows from Microsoft’s servers (requires internet access)
✅ Select Local reinstall if you want to keep the current Windows version.
4️⃣ Confirm and Start the Reset
– The system will display a summary of actions, including:
– Deleting all personal files and accounts
– Removing all installed apps and settings
– Reinstalling Windows
– Click Reset to begin the process
5️⃣ Wait for the Reset and Reinstallation
– Your PC will restart automatically and go through the reset process
– Once complete, you can follow the Windows setup wizard to reinstall the operating system
2 Important Tips When Resetting
✅ Backup important data: Before resetting, make sure you back up any essential files to an external drive or cloud storage.
✅ Plug in your laptop: Resetting can take a while, so keep your device connected to power to avoid interruptions.
✅ No file recovery: Once reset, all personal data will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
3. Benefits of Resetting Your PC
– Privacy Protection: Ensures no personal data is left behind when selling or giving away your device.
– Improved Performance: Removes unnecessary files and applications, boosting system speed.
– Fixes System Issues: Resolves bugs, crashes, and performance problems by reinstalling Windows.
4. Demo Video
You can watch the following demo video by select the subtitle to your preferred subtitle language.