Why reset it yourself
We wipe every device with Acronis before it's reused. Resetting it yourself first means your files are gone before the computer ever leaves your home, and it signs the device out of your accounts so the next owner can set it up cleanly.
The built-in reset in Windows 10 and Windows 11 reinstalls Windows and removes your files, apps and settings. With Clean data turned on, it also overwrites the drive so files are much harder to recover.
Before you start
- Back up your files
- Sign out of your Microsoft account in Settings, then Accounts
- Deactivate software that uses a license, like Office or Adobe
- Plug the laptop in to power
Windows 11
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1
Open Recovery
Settings, then System, then Recovery.
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2
Reset this PC
Select Reset PC, then Remove everything.
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3
Clean the drive
Choose Local reinstall, then Change settings, and turn on Clean data.
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4
Let it finish
This can take an hour or more. Stop when you see the region setup screen.
Windows 10
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1
Open Recovery
Settings, then Update and Security, then Recovery.
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2
Reset this PC
Select Get started, then Remove everything.
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3
Clean the drive
Select Change settings and turn on Clean data.
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4
Let it finish
Shut it down at the setup screen.
Forgot your password?
On the sign-in screen, hold Shift and select Power, then Restart. Choose Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, then Remove everything.
Remove the PC from your Microsoft account
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1
Sign in online
Go to account.microsoft.com/devices and sign in.
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2
Find the PC
Select the computer you're donating.
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3
Remove it
Choose Remove device. This also releases any Find my device link.
If the reset fails
If Reset this PC stops with an error, restart and try again from the sign-in screen: hold Shift, select Power, then Restart, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC.
If it still won't complete, you can remove the drive and keep it, then tell us on the form that the computer has no drive.
Drives, BitLocker and encryption
Many newer laptops have BitLocker or device encryption turned on. A reset with Remove everything clears the encrypted data as part of the process, and you don't need to turn encryption off first.
If you plan to keep the drive, removing it is an option. Most desktops make this easy. In many thin laptops the storage is soldered to the board and can't be removed.
Your checklist
- Files backed up and checked
- Signed out of Microsoft account, email and browsers
- Office, Adobe and other licenses deactivated
- Removed from account.microsoft.com/devices
- Reset with Remove everything and Clean data
- Stopped at the region setup screen