Methods to Reformat Windows 10 to factory settings. Also, learn about the precautions to take and error fixes:
Processing an extensive amount of data on your workstation over time and using it extensively can cause a laggy system. You can even observe numerous system glitches.
Therefore, it is essential to take care of your system, ensuring that it runs in its best possible condition. There are multiple techniques that a user can use to increase the efficiency of the system.
In this article, we will discuss methods in detail to understand how to Reformat Windows 10.
Table of Contents:
Why Reformat Windows 10
Reformatting means removing all the changes in the settings which you made in the PC over time and returning the PC to its default settings. Reformatting is a process that might involve the risk of losing data, so ensure to back up your data and keep a bootable drive to freshly install Windows if anything goes wrong.
Let us see the reasons why we may need to reformat Windows.
#1) Recycle Data
When you delete a file from your system, the system marks empty places and sometimes these memory allocations remain unutilized. So, Windows 10 reformat clears all these empty marks and brings this memory to use.
#2) Wipe Data
When the system has been sold or is transferred to another person, then it is the best practice to reformat Windows 10 as it erases all the remaining traces of your data on the system. It is a good practice to wipe the crucial data from your system to avoid cyber crimes and data theft.
#3) Remove Malware
There are chances that malware might spread on your system and harm its efficiency or your drivers might get corrupted, which might make it harder for the user to use the system in the best possible way. Therefore, it is best suited to reformat your system as it resets the system and drivers to the default settings.
#4) Increase System Performance
When the system has too much data stored on it and you have been using it for a longer period, then its performance degrades. Therefore, it is best suited to reformat Windows 10 or fresh install Windows 10 to increase your system performance.
List Of Caution
Reformatting is a very important and cautious process, so you must take all the basic precautions to avoid any kind of harm to your system and your crucial data.
Many precautions need to be followed while reformatting Windows 10 and some of them are listed below:
Create a Bootable Pen Drive
The Windows 10 installation media allows the users to convert a USB into a bootable device.
Follow the steps listed below for the same:
#1) Connect USB to the system and open Windows 10 Installation Media. A dialog box will appear as displayed in the image below. Click on the “Accept” option.
#2) Now, click on “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” and then select the “Next” option as depicted in the image below.
#3) A dialog box will open. Select Language, Windows version, and system architecture. Click on the “Next” option.
#4) Now, click on “USB flash drive” then click on the “Next” option as presented below.
#5) Now, select the USB and click on the “Next” option.
The Window will be downloaded and the USB will be converted to a bootable device.
Backup Data
You must create a backup of all the significant files and remember not to copy the software but the setup of the applications. This is a cautious process and might cause losing data, so back up important data on an external device.
Use Antivirus
When the system is infected by malware, it is best suited to reset the system and when the data is transferred from the external device back to the system, then scan data and remove the infected files.
Ways To Reformat Windows 10
There are various ways to reformat Windows 10 and some of them are mentioned below:
Method 1: Reformat PC Using Settings
Windows has a feature for its users, which allows them to reformat Windows directly from the settings. This method is much easier and also it allows the users to choose between wiping off data or keeping the data.
Follow the steps listed below to reformat the PC using settings:
#1) Click on the Windows button and then click on the “Settings” option as presented in the image below.
#2) A window will open. Click on the “Update & Security” option.
#3) Below window will open. Now click on the “Recovery” option and under the title “Reset this PC” click on “Get started”.
#4) A dialog box will open as depicted in the image below, now click on “Keep my files”.
#5) Then click on “Local reinstall” as displayed in the image below.
#6) Now click on “Next”.
#7) After that click on “Reset” to reformat Windows 10.
Method 2: System Restore
Windows provides a feature known as system restore to its users. This feature allows them to reset all the changes made in the system over time after a fixed restore point is created by the user.
System restore is like a checkpoint in the game where a user can return whenever he/she wants. To perform a system restore, the user must need to set up a system restore point in the system.
Method 3: Fresh Install Windows
If you want to shift to another OS or use another version of Windows, then you can freshly install Windows 10 on your system. The basic requirements for fresh install Windows 10 on your system are system configurations, bootable pen drive, and Windows license.
By freshly installing Windows you might lose data and also it might delete all the installed applications, so remember to take the backup of the data.
Fixes For Errors Faced During Reformatting
Various errors can arise when you try to reformat Windows 10.
Follow the steps mentioned below to fix these errors:
Fix 1: Startup Repair
Windows has a feature known as Startup Repair, which lets users fix corrupt files and programs in the system and makes the execution of the files easier. Startup Repair can also fix the errors caused during reformatting Windows 10.
Note: Restart your PC by clicking on Power> Restart while pressing the shift key.
#1) Your system will restart and a screen will appear as shown image below. Click on “Troubleshoot”.
[image source]
#2) This will lead you to another screen. Now click on “Advanced options”.
#3) Click on “Startup Repair” as you can see in the image below.
Now your system will start looking for the fixes and repairs and start making changes and after the process is completed, the system will restart.
Fix 2: Disable Reagentc.exe
Reagentc.exe is a Microsoft Recovery Agent which builds images and folders in Windows Registry and we can fix system errors by disabling and enabling it.
#1) Type “Command Prompt” in the search bar and make a right-click on the command prompt. Click on the “Run as Administrator” option as you can see in the image below.
#2) Type “reagentc /disable” as displayed in the image below.
#3) Now type “reagentc /enable” as seen in the image below.
By following the steps mentioned above, the user will first disable Reagentc.exe and then enable it.
Fix 3: Using System Restore Health
System Restore Health is a fix for how to reformat Windows 10.
#1) Search for “Command Prompt” in the search bar, make a right-click on the option, and then click on the “Run as Administrator” option.
#2) Type “dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” and press the Enter button.
The Image Servicing and Management tool will be activated and the system will reset to the previous working image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) How do I force a reformat on Windows 10?
Answer: You can force a reformat on Windows 10 by following the steps listed below:
- Open Settings and click on “Update & Security”.
- Click on “Recovery” and under Reset this PC click on “Get started”.
Q #2) How do I restore my system to factory settings?
Answer: Windows provides its users with the feature which allows them to restore the system to the factory settings. Open Settings, and search for Reset this PC and then click on “Get Started”.
Q #3) How do I wipe my system clean and wipe over?
Answer: Windows provides its users with a choice to restore system settings by removing data or by keeping data. Choose to remove data and then proceed with the steps.
Q #4) How do I delete all data on Windows 10?
Answer: To delete all data on Windows 10, it can either be done manually or simply reformat the PC with the ‘remove all data’ option checked in the preceding steps.
Q #5) Why can’t I reformat my PC?
Answer: The major reason for reformat failure is the corrupted files in the system, so you must run startup repair, and then you should try to reformat your PC.
Q #6) Does reformatting PC fix issues?
Answer: Reformatting a PC removes all the infected or corrupted files from the system and also increases the performance of the system.
Conclusion
Windows provides its users with various features, like Windows Insider Program and Windows Reformat. But whenever you try to change the system settings or upgrade the drivers, there are chances you may end up with corrupted data or system failure.
Therefore, it is best advised to use a technique that might make it easier for you to manage the smooth working of the system after making the required changes.
In this article, we discussed three methods to reformat Windows 10 and also learned ways to fix the errors that you might face during reformatting Windows 10.