This post was most recently updated on May 4th, 2022
How long Does it take to Reset a laptop? – Easy Steps to Follow
Somehow at some point in your windows using the experience you will have to reset your PC. There might be several reasons for resetting the PC and probably your PC need a quick fix.
You might face issues regarding installation of updates, network connectivity problems, blue-screening errors, malware infestation or you might even face hurdles when you start your PC.
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When you start to facing these issues the very first thought that came to your mind is about resetting the laptop. Thinking about it, you might come up with several thoughts like how long does it take to reset a laptop? Will your data be safe when resetting laptop?
When one or more of these catastrophic issues occurs instead of heading towards a laptop expert, you option you have got is to do a system reset to your device.
What does it mean to reset the setting?
Speaking in simple words, reset the windows removes the problematic and defaulter copy of your windows from the PC and replaces the removed copy with the fresh copy of your windows.
There might be an app causing issues and problems, so resetting windows also removes the copy of an application that is problematic.
Resetting the windows is the last option anyone could opt to avoid the issues that are mentioned above.
The good in resetting the windows is that it’s a simple and straightforward procedure and you are lucky if you are using Window 10 because it comes with in-built features that care for the device and are helping a lot.
Whether to ready, set, or reset your PC?
If you are unsure about resetting your PC, you can go for click here for solutions regarding the problems and issues you are facing. Here’s a shortcut to find help, you can type “help” in the taskbar and then click on Get Help.
Or you can also head towards the Microsoft store, find the store that is nearest to your house and see if that store has the service available, and then choose a scheduled service appointment.
if unfortunately, you are still facing any kind of problem then the only way to resolve it by resetting the windows. Make sure that you carefully reset your PC and for that, you must plan first. Here are the two things that must address:
Can you reinstall the application that is currently installed on your PC?
When you reset your PC, the app that you downloaded or those apps which aren’t built-in will be removed. So figure out a way to reinstall those apps. Don’t worry about the apps, as you can easily download them back from the Microsoft store by signing in to your Microsoft Store account.
Or you can also download the applications from the website portal of your internet service provider.
Is your data safely backed-up?
You might have important files and documents that you can’t afford to lose. These files can be anything pictures, text files, music, desktop apps, videos, and more. So, you are advised to create a backup of these files by storing them in an external drive or OneDrive.
How long does it take to reset a laptop
Well, it depends on the type of device you are using, if you are using USB or using disk then probably it’ll take an hour. Expect additional 20-25 minutes if you are transferring big data or a large size greater than 500GB.
The other option of factory data reset will take up to 2 hours.
What if you reset windows 10?
If you reset windows 10, the windows will give you an option of whether to keep your files or remove them and will reinstall the windows. To reset your PC follow these steps:
- Go to “Start.”
- Then go to Settings.
- Then “Update and Security”
- Click on “Recovery”. Or you can use the shortcut to get there. To go there directly, type “recovery” into the search bar placed in the taskbar and then select the Recovery Options.
- To get started with the reset process, go under the tab of Reset This PC and click on Get Started.
- Then, select the type of reset you want “remove everything or keep my files” or you can choose to remove all programs and then reinstall windows along with the windows built-in applications like start menu, mail, Microsoft edge, calendar.
- Keep your files: you are advised to select this option if your PC is performing slow or having issues with the built-in applications, spyware errors, or facing problems with windows updates. In this process your files, photos, media, documents, etc. are safe but the built-in apps and other downloadable apps are removed.
- Remove everything
In this method, everything that you have saved on your PC will be removed including all the pictures, media files, documents, etc.
All the profiles and data created will also be deleted. In simple terms, it refers to “clean reinstall”
- Choose the option you want in the ready to reset this PC box and then click on Reset.
3 Different ways to perform a factory data reset
How can you factory data reset your PC? There isn’t a single answer to that. The entire process of resetting your PC can take a minimum of up to 30 minutes up to 3 hours.
It depends on the type of operating system you are using, the RAM, the processor speed and whether you have SDD or HDD and the size of files you are saving (500GB takes less time but 1TB can take more time comparatively) here are different ways by which you can perform factory data reset.
Way 1: By pressing the function key when booting the laptop
When booting your PC, you will get to see the function key to get into the settings. The screen displays an option of “press F10 for recovery” or any other related line.
Way 2: Press the special key when the device is turned off
Some of the laptops come with special keys on a keyboard. Like in the Sony machine, you will see a function key that will directly take to the settings.
This key might be next to the power button or near to the power socket or it might be placed in any other location.
When the laptop is turned off and you press this key. The device will start and a menu will open that’ll lead to the recovery options.
Way 3: By windows
- Go to “Start.”
- Then go to Settings.
- Then “Update and Security”
- Click on “Recovery”. Or you can use the shortcut to get there. To go there directly, type “recovery” into the search bar placed in the taskbar and then select the Recovery Options.
- To get started with the reset process, go under the tab of Reset This PC and click on Get Started.
- Then, select the type of reset you want “remove everything or keep my files” or you can choose to remove all programs and then reinstall windows along with the windows built-in applications like start menu, mail, Microsoft edge, calendar.
- Choose the option you want in the ready to reset this PC box and then click on Reset.
Wrapping up
The whole process of resetting the PC can take up to 1 hour up to 3 hours. All you need is to create a backup if want a safe reset and you are good to go.
