a factory reset is losing everything

back up projects and passwords, then format c:\

use CD, DVD, usb stick, external drive. online is also good

most important is to find and save windows pass key

then goto microsoft and download the iso file and burn to a dvd or rufus it if no dvd, rufus is a program that installs an iso to a blank usb stick of 8GB or higher

The Factory Reset feature in Windows 10 and 11 is very very flawed and is not recommended by /r/techsupport. Do not use this feature.

It often breaks with “user profile” errors or being stuck on a blue loading screen. This is because PCs load software differently than phones or tablets. Instead of a reset, Windows on a PC can be reinstalled with a Windows install USB drive. You can make this yourself.

You will need:

• an 8GB or larger USB drive
  • this drive will be erased in the process!
• a working Windows PC with administrator rights
• the Windows Media Creation Tool
  • click here for Windows 10
  • click here for Windows 11

Use the Media Creation Tool to create a Windows install USB drive. Disconnect all other USB drives from the computer first, and be very careful which drive letter you select (use File Explorer to confirm) then follow the prompts in the app.

You will need to start or “boot” your computer from the USB drive. The menu may show a message with the button to press, otherwise try the F2, F10, F11, or Del keys. The USB drive should be listed.

We have a full guide for reinstall Windows on our wiki here.

This is an automated reply. Some sections may not be relevant to your specific issue.

Factory reset = wipe and start over. Back up to a external drive everything you want to keep. Favorites, bookmarks documents. Password file pictures ect. And do a factory reset.

What I do is I buy a new disk, I replace the disk, install windows on the new disk, and keep the old disk as an external disk.

i do this sometimes to my PC, maybe once a year where i will just erase everything and re-install a fresh copy of windows to my PC. i have a 5TB external hardrive and i save all of C:\Users\WhateverUsername

that has everything i need on my PC. other files are usually in a separate internal Harddrive.

So you want to wipe everything off your computer but you don’t want to wipe everything off your computer. Makes sense.