Setting Windows to factory defaults

6 Apr 2023

Note: If you are resetting your tablet because you are getting stuck at a blank or black screen, first try the solutions explained in Running slow or frozen.

Set Windows 11 to factory defaults

If you can access the operating system, 

  1. Tap Start  on the taskbar.

  2. Tap Settings > Recovery.

  3. Tap Reset this PC.

  4. From the Reset this PC screen, tap Keep my files or Remove everything. 

Note: Select Remove everything if you have forgotten your password. 

  1. Follow the prompted instructions on the screen.

If you can't open Settings, you can reset your tablet from the Windows sign-in screen.
To reset from the sign-in screen,

  1. Tap the Accessibility button in the lower-right corner, and then select On-Screen Keyboard.

  2. With the keyboard visible, tap the Shift key.

  3. While the Shift key is highlighted (blue), tap the on-screen Power button (in the bottom-right corner) and then select Restart. 

  4. From the recovery screen, tap Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

  1. From the Reset this PC screen, tap Keep my files or Remove everything. 

Note: Select Remove everything if you have forgotten your password. 

  1. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Set Windows 10 to factory defaults

If you can access the current operating system,

  1. Tap Start  on the taskbar.

  2. Tap Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC.

  3. From the Reset this PC screen, tap Keep my files or Remove everything. 

Note: Select Remove everything if you have forgotten your password. 

  1. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If you can't open Settings (for example, the system stops responding on the Windows sign-in screen),

  1. Press the Shift key (on the on-screen keyboard or attached USB keyboard) while performing a restart. 

  2. From the Recovery screen, tap Advanced repair options.

  3. Tap Reset this PC.

  4. From the Reset this PC screen, tap Keep my files or Remove everything. 

Note: Select Remove everything if you have forgotten your password. 

  1. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If you cannot access the Recovery screen, 

  1. Press and hold the tablet power button for 10 seconds.

  2. Release the power button when the red LED flashes rapidly.

  3. Briefly press the power button again, and wait 3–4 seconds.

  4. Repeat this process two more times.

This procedure forces the operating system to restart before completing a boot three times in a row and opens the Recovery screen.

Note: If you have had a custom OS image installed on the tablet, you may need to reload the custom OS. Follow the instructions in Loading custom Windows OS image on Mesa.

If you need additional assistance, contact a certified repair center.

10 Apr 2023 - Modifications approved - lr, os