- #HOW TO REFORMAT WINDOWS 10 TO SELL INSTALL#
- #HOW TO REFORMAT WINDOWS 10 TO SELL PC#
- #HOW TO REFORMAT WINDOWS 10 TO SELL DOWNLOAD#
When the secure erase has finished, and you see a ‘Blancco’ ad, eject the DBAN disc/disconnect the USB and reset your computer. This will take some time and the process cannot be interrupted. Then, when you are ready to proceed and erase the hard drive, press the "F10" key to begin the secure erase. When the main DBAN screen appears, use the "J" and "K" keys to highlight the hard drive partition you want to erase (if there is more than one that is) and select it by pressing the "Space bar". Then when you are ready, boot your computer up using the DBAN disc or USB, and hit "Enter".
#HOW TO REFORMAT WINDOWS 10 TO SELL DOWNLOAD#
You would need to download it and then burn it to a cd or USB. One common one is DBAN (Darik Boot And Nuke). Now there is are programs you can download to erase the drive completely.
#HOW TO REFORMAT WINDOWS 10 TO SELL INSTALL#
This, however, is a bit more work.Īlso, if you don’t have a Windows 10 install disc or USB of some sort, you will need one. This will prevent any old data from being recovered. If you’re selling, or giving way, your computer to someone else, then it is better to securely erase the hard drive, before reinstalling Windows 10. From here just follow the on-screen instructions to restore Windows 10 back to how it was upon leaving the factore. Next choose "Update & security" and then "Recovery" Here click "Get started" and select the option you wish to use. To do this go to "Start", then "Settings". You can choose to preserve just your personal files or to have it erase everything. Windows 10 actually has a built-in method for wiping your PC, and restoring it to an ‘as new’ state. While Windows 10 will usually detect all hardware, errors happen. If you plan to install any of them in another computer, you will need that information.ģ. (Note: If your computer has multiple drives, Windows may ask you if you’d like to erase those other drives as well, or only erase the drive where Windows is installed.The only way to really wipe it requires a bit of effort.Ģ. It will write over any of the data on the drive, making it harder for someone to recover any of your old data. You'll have the option to "just remove my files" or "remove files and clean drive." Again, the latter will be the more secure option, if you plan on selling your computer or giving it away. To start the reset, select "Remove everything" or "Keep my files," depending on why you’re performing the factory reset.
#HOW TO REFORMAT WINDOWS 10 TO SELL PC#
To get to the tool, you need to perform a factory reset by choosing Troubleshoot > Reset this PC in the Advanced startup tool. On the next startup, your computer should go into the Advanced startup tool. This is done by powering up the computer then holding the power button to shut it down before it fully boots. However, if your computer isn’t booting into Windows properly, you can reach the Advanced startup tool by power-cycling your computer instead. Your computer will reboot and take you to the Advanced startup tool. If you can, press the on-screen power button, and while holding the Shift key, press the restart button. You have two ways to access the the Advanced startup tool.įind out if your computer starts up, and you can get to the Windows log-in screen. Step one: Access the Advanced startup tool. Image Credit: Microsoft (Image credit: Microsoft) The result will be the same as the above method, but the way to get there will be slightly different. We have an alternate route for you to factory reset Windows 10 and your machine. If you can't log on to Windows 10 computer, don’t panic. (Note: If your computer has multiple drives, Windows may ask whether you want to erase them as well, or whether you want to erase only the drive where Windows is installed.) Performing a factory reset without logging in If you're selling or recycling your computer, you must choose this option. The latter option is more secure, as it reduces the chances of someone recovering the data from your computer. You'll have the option to simply remove everything using the "Just remove my files" option, or to have Windows also wipe the drive using the "Remove files and clean drive." If you chose to remove everything, Windows will prompt you one more time. Once you’ve selected the option you want, Windows will prepare the reset. (Note: Make sure your computer is charging, as Windows 10 may not start a reset if the device isn't plugged in.) Underneath it, you'll see a button that says "Get started."Ĭlick on "Get started," and a new window will pop up prompting you to "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." For a proper factory reset, opt to "Remove everything." If you just want to refresh your machine and keep your files, choose “Keep my files.” From the Recovery tool, simply find the section with the heading "Reset this PC," which wouldn’t be hard as it will be the very first one. Image Credit: TechRadar (Image credit: TechRadar)