So I'm currently trying to factory reset a laptop for my cousin, and neither her or I know the password to it. When trying to reset the laptop (Going from Troubleshoot > Reset This PC > Remove everything > Local reinstall), it says getting things ready, but then immediately sends me back to the main menu again. Trying to reinstall doing a cloud install fails every time, so that's out of the question. Can anyone assist me on what I need to do? Note: She does not have a Microsoft account and the laptop appears to have belonged to someone else, so trying to reach out to the original owner is improbable. Thank you.
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People use the term 'factory reset' to mean so many things. However, originally, it was a procedure that would restore your computer to exactly the way it was when it left the computer manufacturer's factory - ergo, the name. A factory reset is the same thing that happens when you push the 'power' button for the very first time on a new computer.
You don't need to have a password or a license to do that factory reset (if that is, in fact, what you're referring to.) The computer manufacturer installed a hidden partition on the hard drive which contains an exact copy of the way the computer was when it left the factory. New pre-assembled computers have a copy of Windows that is already licensed and activated. To access the hidden partition, just follow the manufacturer's own instructions.
Different manufacturers have different ways of doing this, but generally, you boot the computer and then interrupt the boot process by pressing one of the F keys. The manufacturer will tell you which F key works for your model. That opens a menu and you just choose to reinstall. The copy of Windows is already activated. This procedure erases whatever was previously on the hard drive, so you are starting off with a pristine install.
Contact the manufacturer or go on their website and find the factory reset procedure for your model. It's fast and it works ... if the previous owner didn't monkey around with the manufacturer's special partition.
Hello, I’m Virginia, I have 20 years of expertise in fixing my own & friends’ PC problems.
Sorry to hear you’re experiencing problems.
Are you sure it is asking for a recovery key & not a Windows license key?
At what point in the installation is it asking for a recovery key?
I would recommend clean installing Windows rather than resetting the PC, you would need to download the media creation tool, run this & choose to create media, then use the created USB thumb drive on the problem PC & start the PC & as soon as you see the manufacturer’s logo rapidly click the key corresponding with the temporary boot menu - this can be F7, F12, F8. If you can’t find this or it doesn’t work then enter the BIOS & change the boot order so that USB is at the top. Save the settings & reboot the PC.
Once in the installation you choose to delete all partitions & allow the media to create the ones it needs & install Windows.
Hi cEPICp,
I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out. I will be happy to assist you in this regard.
To reset Windows to the factory settings without login to Windows, please hold Shift on the login screen > Restart > On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot > Reset your PC.
But it asks you to enter the user credentials. If you forgot the user password, I am afraid that the only option would be performing a clean install:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...
Please let me know if you need further assistance and keep me updated.
what should I do if
"there was a problem resetting your pc" msg comes up