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How to Factory Reset a Windows 8 Computer

Isabella Shinn
Isabella Shinn

Updated:

If you have a computer or laptop with Windows 8/8.1 pre-installed, you may need to factory reset your Windows 8 computer when you encounter the following cases.

Case 1. There is a system failure/crash for unknown causes. Or various reasons cause your system to run more and more slowly. But you don't know how to resolve the problem.

Case 2. Before you give, donate, or sell your computer or laptop to someone else, you need to make your computer its factory condition.

Case 3. You forgot login password for Windows 8 and can't find any effective solutions.

If you meet the above problems or some other situations, you can choose to factory reset your Windows 8 computer to the original condition when you bought it. For factory reset, Windows 8 has more options than earlier Windows operating system. Following, firstly pick a right way depending on whether you can login to Windows 8.


  • Way 1: If you still can login to system, factory reset your computer within Windows 8
  • Way 2: If you can't login to system, reset Windows 8 computer on the sign-in screen
  • Way 1: Factory reset your Windows 8 computer within system

    Step 1: Sign in to your Win 8 system.

    Step 2: Press Win + I to bring out Settings and then click Change PC settings.

    Step 3: On PC settings window, select General. Scroll down until you see Remove everything and reinstall Windows. Then click Get Started.

    Click Get Started

    Step 4: Click Next. (If your computer has more than one drive, then you will be asked to select one option to clean your drive.) Next, choose Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive depending on your own need.

    Clean your drive

    Step 5: Click Reset. Then it starts to reset your computer. You will see Windows 8 restarts and your computer logo appears while the process completes.

    Start to Reset your PC

    Way 2: Factory reset Windows 8 computer on sign-in screen

    Step 1: Start your computer and get to Windows 8 sign-in screen.

    Step 2: Click the Power button. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking Restart.

    Restart PC

    Step 3: After your computer restarts, the Choose an option screen will display. Click Troubleshoot -> Reset your PC. Then click Next.

    Step 4: Windows 8 restarts and your computer logon displays. And then Reset your PC screen displays again. Click Next. (If your computer has more than one drive, you will be asked to select one option to clean your drive.)

    Step 5: You are asked if you want to fully clean your drive. Choose Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive and then click Reset. While reset process completes you will see your computer restarts again and your computer logon displays.

    Tips: Factory reset computer can solve many system problems. But if it is because of forgetting login password that causes you to fail to logon to your Windows 8, factory reset is indeed one solution but not the only and best option. The best solution is to select one appropriate way to reset or remove the forgotten password and regain access to your Win 8 system.

    On the other hand, factory reset doesn't solve all system problems. If your Windows 8 totally can't start, even factory reset doesn't work, then you need to reinstall system.