How to Reset a Dell Laptop

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to reset a Dell laptop to its factory settings. You can do this using both the Settings menu in Windows 10 and the advanced startup menu in Windows 7. Keep in mind that resetting any computer will erase the computer's hard drive, so you may want to back up your computer's data before proceeding.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows 10

1
Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. This will prompt the Start menu to pop up.
2
Open Settings
. Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start menu. Doing so opens the Settings window.

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3
Click
Update & Security. This option is in the bottom row of Settings options.
4
Click the Recovery tab. It's on the left side of the window.
5
Click Get started. This button is below the "Reset this PC" heading at the top of the page. A pop-up window will appear.
6
Click Remove everything. This option is at the bottom of the pop-up window.
7
Click Remove files and clean the drive. It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
8
Click Reset when prompted. Your computer will begin erasing the hard drive, after which point Windows will be reinstalled.
- This process can take several hours, and all of your files will be removed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Windows 7

1
Turn off your computer. You can turn off your Windows 7 computer by doing the following:
- Click Start
  .
- Click Shut down in the lower-right side of the Start menu.
- Wait for your computer to power down completely.
2
Turn back on your computer. Press the "Power"
button on the computer's housing to do so.
3
Press F8 repeatedly. Doing so as soon as your computer begins to turn on will cause the advanced startup menu to open.
- If nothing happens and you arrive at the login prompt like usual, you began pressing F8 too late. Restart your computer and try again.
4
Select Repair Your Computer. Use the arrow keys to move the highlight selection to this option near the top of the screen, then press ↵ Enter.
5
Click Next when prompted. Doing so confirms your keyboard settings.
6
Enter your password when asked. Type the password you use to log into your computer into the "Password" text box, then click OK.
7
Click System Image Recovery. It's a link in the middle of the window.
8
Select the factory image. Click the "Dell Factory Image" (or similar) option to select it.
- You may have to click a drop-down box to find the "Dell Factory Image" option.
9
Click Next. It's at the bottom of the window.
10
Confirm that you want to erase the hard drive. Depending on your version of Windows 7, you may have to check a box and then click Erase or OK, or you may need to select a hard drive to format and then click Erase. Once you finish confirming that you want to reset your computer, the computer will begin erasing your hard drive, after which point it will reinstall the version of Windows that was present on the Dell factory system image.

Community Q&A

Question

I forgot my password and I want to reset my laptop manually. What can I do?

Community Answer

Boot or reboot your laptop. Hold on F8 to enter Advanced Boot Options before the loading screen appears. Or, Press CTRL to enter Advanced Boot Options when the computer powers on.
Question

Will it still reset while I turn it off/close the laptop?

Community Answer

If you turn it all the way off, it should. If it doesn't, go to the reset button on the menu.
Question

If I reboot my laptop, would it return the laptop back to its factory settings?

Community Answer

No. Rebooting will only shut down the laptop down and then boot it up again.

Warnings

Resetting your computer will not be enough to erase the hard drive to government or confidential standards. You may want to reset and overwrite the hard drive a few times if you plan on selling the laptop.

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