This article explains how to recover a computer running Windows 10 by formatting the system hard drive. Windows 10 allows you to easily restore your entire system by deleting all personal files, manually installed apps and customized configuration settings.
Steps
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu
Click on the icon characterized by the Windows logo located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Click on the Settings item in the "Start" menu
It features a gear icon at the bottom left of the menu. The "Settings" system window will appear.
Step 3. Click the Update & Security icon
It features two blue curved arrows.
Step 4. Click the Restore tab listed in the left pane of the window
All the options in the "Update and security" section are displayed in the left pane of the window. In this case, click on the option Restoration.
Step 5. Click on the Start button of the "Reset your PC" section
This will give you the option to reinstall the Windows operating system and format the computer's system hard drive.
Step 6. Click on the Remove All option
This way all data on your computer will be erased, so in the absence of a backup you will forever lose all your personal files, apps you installed manually and configuration settings.
If you want to create a backup of your personal files, choose the option Keep files. This will delete the configuration settings and apps you installed manually, but will keep all your personal files, such as photos, music and documents.
Step 7. Click on Remove files and clean the drive
In this way all the data on the computer will be deleted to allow you to perform a new installation of the operating system.
If you don't have much time, consider choosing the option Only remove my personal files. However, remember that this recovery procedure is less secure and not all of your personal data will be deleted.
Step 8. Click on the Next button located in the warning window
This will confirm that you want to reset your PC and that you want to continue with the reset procedure.
Step 9. Click the Reset button displayed in the "Ready to reset your PC" dialog box
Your computer will automatically restart to allow you to restore it.
At this point the hard drive of the computer will be formatted to allow the reinstallation of Windows 10 from scratch
Step 10. Wait for the system restore to complete
Depending on the size of your hard drive, the amount of your personal files, and the power of your computer, this step can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to complete.
When the restore process is complete, you will see the "Choose an option" screen appear on the screen
Step 11. Click on the Continue button located on the "Choose an option" screen
Windows 10 will load and you can start using your computer again as usual.
