How to Reset a School-Owned Windows 10 Computer to Factory Settings
If your school computer’s acting up or has cluttered software, restoring it to factory defaults can be the quickest fix. It’s especially handy if the system’s running sluggish, behaving erratically, or you’re handing it over to someone else. Just a heads-up — a factory reset will erase everything, including apps and personal files, so make sure you’ve backed up anything important beforehand. Skip that, and you might be in for a world of trouble later.
Resetting Process for Your School Device
It’s straightforward, but there are a few steps to follow. Basically, you’re wiping everything and returning the computer to when it first came out of the box. If the machine’s been slow or infected with viruses, this is a good starting point.
Start with the Settings
Click the Start button — yep, that little Windows icon on the bottom left. Then find and click the Settings gear icon. Or, if you prefer keyboard shortcuts, press Windows key + I. That’ll get you closer to the reset options.
Navigate to Update & Security
Next, click on “Update & Security”. This is the control centre for recovery and maintenance options, your go-to for fixing up your device.
Access the Recovery Section
On the left side of the Update & Security window, there’s a “Recovery” tab. That’s your ticket to wiping the device clean. If Windows is still responding reasonably well, you can also type recovery options into the Start menu and select “Recovery Settings”, but let’s hope you don’t need to go there.
Start the Reset
In the “Reset this PC” section, click “Get started”. You’ll then see options to either “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”. If you want a total wipe, choose “Remove everything”; this ensures all previous user data is gone.
Feeling a bit more tech-savvy? You can also do this via command-line commands to reinstall Windows without many clicks. Boot into recovery mode and run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00This enters advanced recovery options—generally more suited for IT folks or those comfortable with command prompts.
Follow the On-Screen Instructions
The system will guide you through the next steps once you’re in reset mode. It might ask if you want to wipe the drive completely or just delete your files. If unsure, opting for a full clean is usually best. Be prepared for it to take some time—anywhere from half an hour to several hours, depending on your machine’s age and specs.
Once finished, you’ll be greeted by a fresh Windows setup screen, like it’s brand new. All those annoying glitches? They should be history.
What to Do If Windows Won’t Boot
If your device won’t start at all, don’t panic. You can still reset it by booting into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Try these methods:
- While on the login screen, hold down Shift and click “Restart”.
- If that doesn’t work, force a shutdown three times in a row during startup to trigger recovery.
Once in recovery mode, look for:
- Troubleshoot > Reset this PC
Quick Tips for a Smooth Reset
- Back up anything important before hitting reset — once it’s done, all data is gone.
- Connect the device to power. It’ll be faster, and you won’t risk losing progress if it runs out of juice mid-process.
- Have your Wi-Fi password handy afterwards, as you’ll need to reconnect to the internet.
- Check with your IT department first to see if there are any specific rules for resetting school devices.
- Sometimes, a simple restart or installing recent updates can fix issues without a full reset — worth trying first.
Common Questions About Factory Resets
Does resetting wipe out Windows 10?
Nope. Windows 10 will still be there—just reinstalled—so your OS remains intact, while user data gets cleared.
If I start the reset, can I stop it?
It’s best to let it finish. Interrupting the process can cause corruption or other issues. If something looks wrong, check with IT before pulling the plug.
Will pre-installed software come back after reset?
Most of the software that was there when you first got the machine will return. Any additional programs you installed later will need to be reinstalled.
How long does the whole process usually take?
Timing varies, but be prepared for anywhere from half an hour to a few hours, especially with older or budget models.
Wrapping It All Up
Resetting a Windows 10 school device might feel like hitting the reset button on all the quirks it’s picked up over time. While it clears everything — which is often what’s needed — it’s not a fix for hardware problems. If the device’s physically broken, a reset won’t help. But if it’s just software issues or you’re handing the device to someone else, a reset is a solid move. Remember to back up your files first and double-check hardware health before diving in. Hopefully, this guide saves you a few headaches!