Windows 10 factory reset

There has been several occasions when I wanted to reset Windows 10 back to its out of box state. Either the device wasn’t running well and I just wanted to start again or the device was going to a new owner. There are a couple of ways in which I do this and are built into Windows 10.

If you use Bitlocker you will need the Recovery Password to access the drive. I prefer to remove Bitlocker from the drive and re-apply it afterwards.

So once once I have disabled bitlocker these are the steps to reset Windows 10.

• Option 1: I typically use this one, it always works for me.
  • Turn on the device to get to the sign-in screen
  • Hold down the Shift key while you click the Power icon
  • click Restart – Windows 10 will restart in Recovery Mode.
  • Click Troubleshoot 
  • Click Reset this PC.
• Option 2:
  • Logon onto Windows 10 with an Account that has Administrator permissions
  • Click Start (Windows icon)
  • Click Settings (Gear-shaped Settings icon 
  • Click Update & Security 
  • Click Recovery.
  • Under Reset this PC,
  • Click Get started. Open Recovery settings.
• Option 3:
  • Click Start (Windows icon)
  • Hold down the Shift key while you select the Power Circle
  • Click Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.
  • After your computer restarts,
  • Click Troubleshoot
  • Click Reset this PC.
• These three options will get you back to the standard Out Of Box Experience. You can then logon with a Work or School account, or create a Local account, then follow the prompts that come from the standard Out Of Box Experience. 

If none of the preceding three options work, you can use installation media. See Microsoft document on how to resinstall Windows 10.

You will find official Microsoft support documentation at https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4026528 and re-installing from media at https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4000735/windows-10-reinstall