How to Factory Reset Windows 10 Without Settings | 3 Ways🔥

Jerry updated on Jan 11, 2024 | Home >Computer Instruction

Factory resets are the fissile answer for many Windows issues. If your PC is far slower than it once was, you have malware that you can't remove, or you plan to sell your machine, a reset is the most convenient option. The Settings app frequently fixes Windows 11/10 difficulties. It offers troubleshooting and system and Windows Store app resets. It's frustrating when the Settings app won't launch or crashes. In such circumstances, you must reset Windows 11/10 using other methods on how factory reset Windows 10 without settings.

We will help you reset your computer for performance difficulties, selling it, or other reasons. Let's start resetting your Windows 11/10 machine without the Settings.

Why Do You Need to Factory Reset Your Computer

Factory resetting a PC may be a wise idea. If your computer is slow or having issues, a factory reset can fix them. A factory reset can erase all personal data from a computer before selling or donating it.

Nevertheless, factory resetting your PC may destroy all your data and settings, so proceed cautiously. Before executing a factory reset, back up crucial files to an external hard disk or cloud service. The reset will remove all pre-installed programs, so be sure you have all the software and driver installation files.

A factory reset may only sometimes fix your computer problems. A factory reset won't help if the problem is hardware-related, such as a malfunctioning hard disk or memory. In some circumstances, hiring a specialist or replacing the malfunctioning gear may be better.

Preparations for Factory Resetting a Laptop

Before factory resetting your laptop, create a system image of your computer. After the reset, you may quickly restore this backup's crucial files and settings. If you're unfamiliar with backup software, generating a backup can be intimidating. Do not worry. EaseUS Todo Backup Home makes system image backups simple and dependable.

EaseUS Todo Backup Home can help you factory reset your computer without losing data. Its powerful backup technology provides reliable and efficient backups, and its scheduling feature lets you arrange automatic backups to your preferences. It lets you back up your files, systems, disks, partitions, and computer apps and save the backups in diverse locations. It allows you to image a hard drive and create an iso image of your operating system.

You can find what makes this backup tool so unique in the following.

Here is how to back up your Windows 10 PC.

Step 1. On the main page, click "Select backup contents".

create system backup step1

Step 2. Among the four available categories, click OS.

create system backup step2

Step 3. EaseUS Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition, you only need to select the backup destination.

create system backup step3

Step 4. Both Local Drive and NAS are available for you to save the backup file.

create system backup step5

Step 5. After finishing the backup process, you can check the backup status, recover, open, or delete the backup by right-clicking the backup task on the left.

create system backup step5

3 Ways to Factory Reset Windows 10 Without Using Settings

There are a few ways to perform a factory reset on your computer without settings apps. They include performing the reset Windows, utilizing the Recovery Drive, or performing a backup before the reset. We will walk you through each approach.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Way 1. Using the Advanced Startup Option Using the Advanced Startup Option is the first way to reset...Full steps
Way 2. Using the Fresh Start Option If you use an older Windows 10, you can use Fresh Start...Full steps
Way 3. Using a Recovery Drive Windows 10 may be factory reset using a recovery drive...Full steps

Way 1. Using the Advanced Startup Option

Using the Advanced Startup Option is the first way to reset your Windows 10 computer to factory settings without using the settings app. To do so, perform the following steps.

Step 1: To reset your Windows 11/10 computer, boot into the Advanced Startup menu.

Tip
Your computer will restart in the Advanced Setup Option mode when you perform the following steps:
1. Hit the Start button on the taskbar or the WIN key on your computer. 
2. On the screen's bottom right corner, click the Power button. 
3. Click Restart while holding down the Shift key on your keyboard.

Step 2: You must locate the option to reset your computer once you have booted into the Advanced Startup menu on your Windows 11/10 computer.

Step 3: Choose Troubleshoot and then Reset this PC to do this.

choose troubleshoot

Step 4: Then, choose to Keep my files or Remove everything. Pick the best fit for your needs and follow the on-screen directions to reset.

choose to Retain my files or Delete everything

Step 5: Under Ready to reset this PC window, click Reset.

click reset

Step 6: As seen in the image below, the system will start to be reset to factory settings.

PC will start to reset

This will restore your computer to its original form, keeping or removing your personal files. It's critical to back up your data before resetting your PC because doing so will delete all loaded programs and Windows settings. Once done, your computer will be restored to its original form, allowing you to start over and fix any difficulties.

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Way 2. Using the Fresh Start Option

If you use an older Windows 10, you can use Fresh Start, a different factory reset approach. If you use a newer Windows 10 version, reboot your machine, as shown above.

Here's how Fresh Start works:

Step 1. Click Start and search Windows Defender Security Center.

search Windows Defender Security Center

Step 2. Click the side menu.

Click the side menu

Step 3. Select Device Performance & health.

Select Device Performance & health

Step 4. Click Additional info for the Fresh start option.

Click Additional info

Step 5. This will guide you to the Fresh Start dialog box, then click on Get started.

click on Get started

Step 6. Click on Yes.

click yes

Step 7. The Fresh start window will appear. Hit Next. Then you can follow the on-screen guide.

hit Next

Step 8. A window will appear informing you about all processes. Click Start. Your computer will start to reset.

click Start

Way 3. Using a Recovery Drive

Windows 10 may be factory reset using a recovery drive without the Windows settings. A bootable USB drive with Windows 10 can troubleshoot and reset your computer.

using recovery drive

  • You should have a USB device with at least 16 GB capacity to make a recovery drive. Microsoft thoroughly explains how to establish a recovery disk on its website.
  • The recovery drive can reset your computer once it has been made. Insert the USB disk and restart it.
  • Choose the USB as the boot device using the key that includes the boot menu (typically F12 or Esc).
  • Follow the on-screen steps to access the recovery environment and select the option to reset your PC.

Beware that this will reinstall Windows 10 and delete all the files and apps on your computer. Consequently, backing up all essential data before conducting a factory reset is critical.

The Bottom Line

Factory resetting your Windows 10 PC without using the Settings app is an excellent method for fixing computer problems. If you are wondering how to factory reset Windows 10 without settings, using a recovery drive or bootable USB is an excellent approach to resetting your PC to its original condition if you have forgotten your login password or wish to erase all data.

It is worth noting that before factory resetting your computer, you should create a backup of your PC to avoid any data loss risks. EaseUS Todo Backup can suit you well in this regard. It can help you make your data secure and sound. Just download and try it! It will not let you down.

FAQs

1. Can you factory reset Windows 10 without a password?

Yes. A password is not required to factory reset Windows 10. By holding the Shift key while clicking Restart in the Start menu, you can reach the Advanced Startup Settings menu. Select Reset this Computer and follow the on-screen directions to reset your PC without a password.

2. How to reset Windows 10 to factory settings without losing data?

To reset Windows 10 to factory settings without losing data, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select keep my files under Reset this System. Follow the on-screen directions to reset. It will reinstall Windows without losing data.

3. How do I Reset Windows 10 to factory settings if I can't log in?

Use the Advanced Startup Settings option to reset Windows 10 to factory settings if you won't log in. You can do this by holding down Shift while clicking the Start and Restart buttons. Select Troubleshoot and then Reset this Computer. Follow the on-screen directions to system reset.

4. Does resetting the PC delete everything?

Resetting a PC resets the operating system. It deletes all installed apps and personal files. If you select "Keep my files," personal files will be kept, but programs and settings will be deleted.

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Updated by Sherly

Sherly joined EaseUS in 2022 and she has always loved writing articles and enjoys the fun they bring. She receives professional training here, focusing on product performance and other relative knowledge. She has written over 200 articles to help people overcome computing issues.

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Written by Jerry

"I hope my articles can help solve your technical problems. If you are interested in other articles, you can check the articles at the bottom of this page, and you can also check my Facebook to get additional help."

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