How to Reset Computer to Factory Settings

Tap to Read ➤ Arjun Kulkarni

If you're tired of fooling around with your computer, you'll find that the best way to improve its performance is to reset it.

It is a very basic task to know how to reset computer to factory settings. While it takes a pretty long time, you can be assured that anyone can do it.

It is often a last try to get your PC to work properly as before. Bear in mind that while this process works for some, it may or may not work for the other. If it does, well and good; if it doesn't, it is time to invest in a new PC instead of messing about with the restoring again.

The Need to Reset

In case of a virus attack on your machine, sometimes, the best way of getting rid of it to reset the device to default settings. As it cleans out the whole drive, it cleans out the viruses as well.

The second common reason is, may be your machine has gone too slow or isn't running properly.

If you are looking to sell your old PC, then again, you would want to retain the factory settings so that the new user gets a clean disk. It is one of the answers to the question how to clean computer hard drive.

With a CD

If you happen to still have the CD, which came with your machine when you purchased it, this job becomes very easy. Here's how to do it with a CD

Get a backup of all your important files on a DVD or a USB drive or your friend's hard disk. This is because, this process will erase your drive, and you may end up losing some very important documents. So, get a backup of your stuff first.

Now, insert the CD in the CD drive. The PC will then run the CD and ask you if you want to restore computer to factory settings.

Click on 'yes', and be patient as the rebooting begins. The process could take a few hours, but once it is over, your machine will be as good as new.

Without a CD

If your PC is really old, then there are chances that you've probably misplaced the CD by now. Don't worry, because this process can be carried out without the CD as well.

Take a backup of all the files as mentioned in step one in the previous paragraph. Restart your machine, and press F1 a few times as soon as the blank screen appears. The blank screen appears just when you turn on the PC.

Pressing the F1 button will take you to the setup configuration mode, which allows you to change the settings. In the menu, you will find an option for resetting the PC to factory settings. Select the option.As in the earlier case, this process to can take a few hours.

Setting Up Windows after Restore

After the machine restarts, in the "Set up Windows Screen", click Next. In the 'Please read the license terms' screen, select the 'I accept the license terms' check box for each item, and then click 'Next'. In the 'Choose a user name and picture' window, enter your information, and then click 'Next'.

Type a computer name, and choose a desktop background screen, and then click 'Next'. In the 'Help protect Windows automatically' window, click 'Use recommended settings'. Set up your time and date settings in the window. Click 'Next'.

In the 'Select your computer's current location' screen, click Home. In the 'Thank You' screen, click Start. Windows will now check your machine's performance. This may take several minutes.

Windows will finish preparing the desktop and complete the Restore process. Once Windows has shown the desktop, the Restore process is complete. This is how one must restore computer without CD. The technique varies with different brands, like Asus, HP, Toshiba, Dell, Acer, etc.

Things to do Post-Restore

Update Drivers. Download and install your Security Software. Copy your saved files. Download programs, such as Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Adobe Shockwave, Java, etc. Reinstall all the other essential software.

Nowadays, laptops come with a 'reset factory settings' button, so the job becomes even simpler, as you can do it with the touch of a button! This is a fairly simple job, only, it is a little time-consuming. But at the end of it, you'll have your machine as good as new!