Return to default settings. Restoring factory settings on a laptop

Sometimes a computer owner is faced with the need to clean the system of various bugs that interfere with normal operation. This can be done by reinstalling the operating system, or using special utilities. But there is a method that has several undeniable advantages over them.

Resetting the settings to factory defaults will help restore the device to functionality in most cases, even if you cannot start the OS. This method is especially relevant for those who do not want to waste time reinstalling the OS.

When restoring factory settings, the OS will be reinstalled automatically. You will not need to enter the OS activation code again. The version of Windows that came with the laptop when purchased will be restored.

By rolling back the BIOS, you will eliminate the problems listed above. In this article we will look at how to return a laptop to factory settings and restore its functionality. There are several methods, which we will take a closer look at.

The option to reset settings may be needed if:

What are the factory settings?

Factory settings are set by the manufacturer for a specific computer or laptop model. They store BIOS settings and computer configuration parameters. This information is located in the device's dynamic memory, which is called CMOS.

All factory settings take up very little space and are separately powered - from a small battery located on the motherboard. You can reset the laptop parameters without access to the BIOS. To do this, simply remove the battery, wait 30-40 seconds, and insert it again.

After the process of resetting the BIOS settings is completed and the OS is reinstalled, you will receive the laptop in the same condition in which you bought it in the store.

It is worth noting that to successfully return the device to factory settings, in addition to CMOS, you need a Recover partition, which stores installation files and other necessary system information.

Video: Laptop factory settings

Where is Recovery located and its activation

A hidden partition on the hard drive that stores all the files needed to restore the system is called Recovery. It is created by default on all laptops, and is deleted or damaged in most cases as a result of incorrect user actions.

You can see where the hidden section is located:

There you can see the size that Recovery occupies on the HDD. Typically this is 20-25 GB of system information and installation files.

If you have a Toshiba laptop, then you have probably already noticed that on drive D there is a system folder called HDD Recovery. It also stores the information necessary to reset the system, so it cannot be deleted.

Activating Recovery starts the process of resetting user BIOS changes, restoring factory settings, and reinstalling the OS and system programs and drivers.

To activate Recovery, press a specific hotkey combination. This will allow you to enter the system menu, where you can select several system recovery options. It should be remembered that each manufacturer has its own combination of hot keys; below we will look at the most popular ones.

Restoring settings using hotkeys

In order to return your laptop to factory settings, you should remember several hotkey combinations. When the system boots, you should press hot keys to access the BIOS Setup menu, from where you can start the process of restoring parameters.

Depending on the computer manufacturer, hot keys and their combinations differ:

Toshiba - depending on the model F8, or 0, or Fn+0;
Sony - F10;
Acer – Alt and F10 at the same time;
HP, LG and Lenovo – F11;
Samsung – F4;
Fujitsu - F8;
ASUS – F9;
Dell - both Ctrl and F11, but in some models F8;
Packard Bell - F10. If you have Windows 8 installed, you can use the power button when you log in. You should hold down Shift and at the same time select the “Reboot” menu item;
MSI – F3, and on some models F11.

How to reset a laptop to factory settings via BIOS

Using hot keys, you can roll back custom system changes and return the BIOS to factory settings.

On the black screen that appears, select sequentially:

option "Running the recovery center" for Sony, or "Troubleshooting your computer" for Toshiba, or "System Recovery" for HP;
menu item "Load Defaults BIOS".

Depending on the manufacturer, the option name may vary: "Load BIOS Setup Defaults", "Load Safe-Fail Defaults", but the words "Load" and "Default" will definitely be present.

Preparation

Prepare for a factory reset:

After you start the process of resetting the settings, the process of collecting information and preparing system files will begin. This may take some time, so don't worry.

Recovery process

Once you start the recovery process, all actions will be performed automatically, without your participation. The computer may reboot if required by the installed software. During the process of resetting the settings, device drivers will be restored and standard system programs will be installed.

It is worth mentioning that it is not always possible to successfully reset the settings on a laptop. This is possible if:

What can you do if you deleted the hidden Recovery partition from your hard drive? You will have to look for a bootable settings disk or an image of a hidden partition for your laptop. They can be found on the Internet, and sometimes manufacturers offer to buy such disks for system recovery on official websites.

If there are no ready-made images for your laptop, you can ask the owners of a similar model on computer forums to create such an image for you. And to avoid this situation, you can create a bootable USB flash drive or DVD for your laptop yourself, which you can keep on hand and use when necessary.

The need to return factory settings to Android arises in several cases. Often the process is carried out before sending the device to a service center or immediately before selling the gadget. In this case, personal information is destroyed: photos, videos, messages, contact list.

By resetting the settings to factory default, you can solve various problems in the operation of mobile devices. For example, this method is very helpful when the gadget freezes or turns off on its own, as well as if you have forgotten the code or pattern of the security key.

There are two methods that users use.

The first is software. It can only be done when the device is active and executing the given commands.

Second, the device does not boot. This is done using several buttons.

Using these two methods it is easy to return the gadget to its original form.

Instructions for returning Android to factory settings

Method 1. “Software method”

Open the "Settings" menu;

Select the line “Backup and reset”;

Click "Reset settings";

Please read the warning about deleting all settings.

Important! The gadget menu depends on the version of the operating system. Consequently, the path to these points may be different, but the procedure is almost identical and understandable at the level of intuition.

Method 2. “Hard reset”

When starting the gadget, press and hold the power button and volume for 2-3 seconds;

In the window that opens, find “wipe data/factory reset” (move through the menu with the volume button) and select;

Confirm the procedure;

Exit the menu using "reboot system now".

Important! When returning to factory settings, do not forget that all information will disappear only from the internal memory. The external memory of the device will need to be formatted separately. When starting the procedure, do not forget to create a backup copy of all the data you need!

Computers love “cleanliness,” both on the hard drive and from dust on the hardware. If the second issue can be dealt with more simply - just clean it, then the first issue is not so easy. The main problem for novice users is the desire to install more “useful” programs and the inability to properly use the computer’s disk space, which leads to problems with its operation. When the situation is at its peak, users have no choice but to reset Windows to factory settings. Our article will describe in detail how to restore the system to its “out of the box” form for different versions, starting with Windows 7.

What is a Windows factory reset?

Let's start with the fact that factory settings are the PC configuration that was installed initially and is the main one for this piece of equipment. All changes that were made by the user during use “disturb” the factory settings and the computer is no longer considered new. Reset to settings “out of the box” - transition to the original state, i.e. getting rid of user settings in general, and, in some cases, even from files and other data that remained after it.

It is recommended to perform a reset only when it is really necessary. Please note that if you have previously reinstalled Windows, either yourself or using computer system wizards, you may not be able to return to factory settings. The whole point is that if you reinstall it incorrectly (stupidly from one disc on which a pirated copy of Windows is recorded), a special recovery partition disappears on the hard drive, on which a copy of the installation version is stored.

This indicates that you cannot simply switch to factory settings - you will need the same distribution that was used initially, and not any other (even if the Windows versions are the same). Otherwise, you will not return the computer to its original form (in software terms) in any way. Therefore, treat reinstalling Windows more judiciously and seriously - if you use the services of wizards, ask them to reinstall Windows so that the recovery partition is not affected. If, nevertheless, the recovery partition was deleted, all you can do is install any convenient version of Windows using a clean installation method (with the removal of all data) and at least somehow create the appearance of a factory reset.

How to reset Windows 7 to factory settings

Unfortunately, the "seven" does not support a quick reset to factory settings, which is an obstacle to returning the computer to its original form without the use of additional knowledge. If you have the task of returning your computer to its original state, you can use the following options:

Through V "Additional download options";
Using your distribution that came with your PC or laptop.

If you are more inclined to the second option, then you just need to boot from the distribution and select system recovery there. Then everything will happen as usual.

In the case of the first option, you need to go to the menu "More download options". For most computers (laptops), this can be done by pressing the F8 key, which must be pressed immediately after the computer starts booting (without leaving standby or hibernation mode). When it is downloaded, you need to select "Troubleshooting your computer".

Next you will be taken to the window "System Recovery Options". It contains some features that can actually be used before loading the system as a whole. Among them, either a built-in reset or a proprietary one will be hidden. In this case, for example, we have the option of restoring the Toshiba laptop to factory settings.

You will need to go to this item and follow the prompts of the built-in utility so that you can restore the factory settings. Please note that all files on your hard drive that you have used/saved will be permanently deleted.

How to reset Windows 8|8.1 to factory settings

In the case of Windows 8, things are more favorable. The system interface allows for the use of a built-in factory reset program directly from the “Control Panel”, as well as from the “Advanced Boot Options”. Let's look at this in more detail to improve understanding.

How to reset Windows 10 to factory settings

The “top ten” still has the same recovery functionality as in Windows 8, but to get there you need to go a slightly different path.

When the laptop starts to slow down terribly due to a bunch of installed and incorrectly removed programs, system garbage, a lot of temporary files and other unpleasant things, the most logical solution is to roll back the system to its original state. In this article we will figure out how to return a laptop to factory settings, using the example of all major manufacturers.

Many users will argue that it is easier to reinstall Windows. But it has the same consequences as reinstallation, but it is much faster and does not require a boot disk. In addition, users are freed from the need to search and install drivers - after returning to the original state, they only need to reinstall.

Each laptop manufacturer equips its devices with branded ones. However, working with them follows the same scheme and requires compliance with a number of rules:

During a system rollback, the adapter must be inserted into the laptop so that the power is not interrupted. Interrupting the rollback procedure is fraught with more serious problems than just .
It is better to first transfer all important data from the hard drive to it - after successful recovery, you will return it back.
In some utilities, you can restore only the system partition (drive C:) or all of it. It is recommended to perform a full recovery (this will delete all data from the hard drive, so move it to another location - see point 2).

So, if you want to get the system in the same condition as when you bought the laptop (without brakes, freezes, unnecessary programs and files), then choose a laptop from your manufacturer and follow the steps described.

Asus

Let's start with one of the most famous laptop manufacturers - Asus.

Returning an Asus laptop to factory settings:

You don’t need to press or enter anything else - the recovery utility will figure out how to return your ASUS laptop to factory settings.

By the way, pressing the F 9 key when turning it on for the first time will not lead to anything, since by default the “Boot Booster” function is activated in ASUS laptops. It needs to be disabled in Bios. To do this, in the “Boot” item, move the parameter value to the “Disabled” position.

Acer

Let's continue our study of the topic with a story about how to return an Acer laptop to factory settings. You can perform this procedure from a running Windows (the utility is called "Acer Recovery Management") or through recovery tools.

Let's look at the second option:

On Windows 8.1, the recovery utility interface changes. Here you will have to select the item in the “Diagnostics” section "Return to original state". The rollback procedure is not much different, and all the steps are described in detail in Russian, so you will quickly figure out how to return an Acer laptop to factory settings.

Lenovo

To understand how to return a Lenovo laptop to factory settings, you first need to find a small “OneKey Rescue” button on the laptop case, which is responsible for launching the recovery utility.

Then follow these steps:

Wait until the rollback procedure is completed and be sure to restart your computer for the new configuration to take effect. The answer to the question of how to return a Lenovo laptop to factory settings has been received, but there are still other manufacturers, so let’s move on.

Samsung

It’s the turn of the South Korean manufacturer to answer the question of how to return a Samsung laptop to factory settings.

Resetting a Samsung laptop to factory settings:

You figured out how to return a Samsung laptop to factory settings, so you can forget about the need to reinstall the system.

HP

It's the turn of the next manufacturer: let's see how to return an HP laptop to factory settings.

Resetting your HP laptop to factory settings:

Now you know how to reset your HP laptop to factory settings. All that's left to do is wait until the factory reset procedure is completed, and start working with the laptop again.

MSI

Wondering how to reset an MSI laptop to factory settings?

Nothing complicated here either:

That's all you need to know about how to factory reset an MSI laptop.

Toshiba

Now let's figure out how to return a Toshiba laptop to factory settings. In the latest models, launching the recovery utility is quite simple.

Returning a Toshiba laptop to factory settings:

Turn off your laptop.
Press the number "0" and hold the key.
Without releasing the key, turn on the laptop.
When the computer starts beeping, release "0".

A program to restore settings to factory state will appear on the screen - you need to follow all the instructions of the recovery wizard.

But how to return a Toshiba laptop to factory settings if you have an old model? Here you will have to use the “Troubleshooting” section, which can be selected in the menu of additional boot options (F 8 key when turning on the computer).

After a short wait you will see the system again in original factory condition.

Dell

If you are looking for how to reset your Dell laptop to factory settings, you can follow the instructions above (via Troubleshooting).

Let's look at the features of the built-in recovery program:

The recovery program is completely Russified, so you can easily figure out what to do. By following the step-by-step instructions above, you will probably positively resolve the issue of how to return your Dell laptop to factory settings.

In this article, we examined the topic of restoring a laptop to factory settings from all the most famous laptop manufacturers.

Coming to a computer hardware store, the buyer is faced with a large assortment, from which it is difficult to choose a decent computer. But professional consultants will select exactly what you need based on an individual approach. When choosing a computer, consultants install factory settings on the computer or laptop. These are the most basic and simple settings that are available to almost everyone.

Further installation or reinstallation of the Windows system is carried out by the buyer independently or by contacting specialized companies to carry out such a procedure.

General points

A personal computer breakdown can occur due to a wide range of reasons. The very first such reason is the presence of virus programs that not only clog the computer’s memory, but also destroy its files and documents. How can I restore my computer to factory settings?

When this situation occurs, the best and alternative installation of the operating system is to automatically reset Windows to the factory settings that were obtained in the store. This option will simplify the work of restoring the operating system. It will reset it completely, allow you to troubleshoot and install a new operating system. But not all computers have an automatic reset, so some will need to manually reinstall the system.

In the case when the system is reinstalled manually, it is necessary to transfer all available information from the computer to other media, since at the time of reinstallation the information may be lost. It is possible to restore information if this suddenly happens, but not everyone can do this and such a possibility does not always exist.

If you decide to install an autonomous heating system at home, we recommend that you read this article. We talk about the heating convector.

The question of how to return a computer to factory settings also worries users in other situations, not only in case of breakdowns. And here users ask themselves the task of how to reset the computer to factory settings, because this is the best option in many cases.

There are times when resetting Windows 7 will be beneficial for your computer.

The first point is selling a computer. It will be very convenient for the new owner to receive a computer with factory settings, just like in a store.

The second point is the transfer of a personal computer to another employee in the organization.

The third point is the slow operation of the computer, drivers stop loading and some programs stop working.

And in these few moments, exactly this attitude is used. And now, having learned several reasons for breakdowns and malfunctions, it is time to study ways to eliminate them. The question arises, how to return Windows 7 to factory settings?

There are three options for restoring your computer to factory settings.

Let's make a reservation right away - a complete system reset is not always required. To save time and effort, you can try simpler options first.

Troubleshooting methods

The very first way to resolve errors is to load a successful configuration.

The next option will work if your computer supports the built-in Windows recovery feature.

And the third way is to use the system boot disk. Most users should know how to use some troubleshooting steps. This article offers a more detailed look at these three methods on how to make factory settings on a computer.

What should be done

So, the first way. Loading the last known known configuration. This method is considered very simple, so even the most insecure personal computer user can master it. Before Windows 7 starts loading, you must use the F8 button and select the phrase “last known known configuration.” At this moment, the system will restore the previous version of the computer, which was the most successful and successful. This action will return all working system files.

If just a regular reboot of a successful configuration does not help, then you can immediately restore the system using restore points. They are recorded at certain moments in any state of the program and, by choosing the most successful point, you can try to restore Windows 7. You can make such restore points yourself or set the frequency of their automatic saving in the settings of your personal computer.

Important! On some computers, the automatic creation of restore points is disabled by default. We recommend enabling it, as it may help in troubleshooting problems in the future.

The next method suggests using the system boot disk. This option is used for more serious problems with the Windows 7 system. Basically, this is a severe infection of the computer with virus files. The only thing that can help here is a disk that will help restore the computer's operating system. When safe mode is enabled on the computer, you need to click on the item from the “computer troubleshooting” menu, after which you need to insert the disk. In the open window, select the “system restore” function. The program will offer different recovery options. They are all almost identical, so the choice is up to the user. The recovery procedure is the same as working with applications. But an important feature of using a disk is the elimination of the impact of viruses on personal software. Disk manufacturers also provide special instructions to help you understand and reset the system correctly. The principle of such programs is almost the same, so one disk will be enough to study how to return your computer to factory settings.

If all else fails

If all of these options described above do not help restore the computer and do not give positive results, then you can do a complete reset of the entire system. Some models of computers and laptops contain system partitions with a copy of their basic Windows 7 software. There is no single recommendation on how to run this procedure. As a rule, when you turn on the computer, a hint appears at the bottom of the screen indicating the main active keys. If there is an item F (digit) for recovery, feel free to press the indicated button and follow the instructions. If there is no such item, we recommend reading the documentation for your computer. It should indicate which keys are used to launch this procedure.

If all the recommendations do not help and the computer refuses to work as before, then we recommend contacting a specialist. Always remember that in the event of a more serious breakdown, there is a risk of causing even greater damage if you do not follow the instructions at your own peril and risk.

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