If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC is struggling, or you’re looking to sell, it could be time to restore the computer to its out-of-the-box settings.
If your Windows machine is acting up, there are several options available before you do anything drastic. You can, for instance, run a diagnostic test to make sure the hard disk is healthy. If the problem came after a Windows update, there’s a way to uninstall it and see if that fixes the problem.
Still, should none of these methods work, or you plan to get rid of the machine, it may be time to reset the PC to its factory settings. This process can wipe your files and current settings, depending on what options you choose, so make sure you back up your files first. Whether you’re still running Windows 10 or have upgraded to Windows 11, the steps below are mostly the same. Reset Windows 10
To reset your PC in Windows 10, click the Start menu and select the gear icon in the lower left to open up the Settings window. You can also select the Settings app from the app list. Under Settings, click Update & Security > Recovery, then select Get started under Reset this PC.Reset Windows 11
In Windows 11, you have more than one way to reset the PC to its factory settings. You can open Settings > System > Recovery or Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced options > Recovery. Either way, click Reset PC next to the Reset this PC option.
