Windows 10 reset failure is a rare issue, but if you encounter it, the inconvenience is substantial. Instead of being able to reset Windows 10, you might find yourself reinstalling the operating system along with a myriad of troublesome drivers. While some individuals may not find the inability to reset Windows 10 bothersome, considering broader societal implications, this issue could serve as a precursor to a series of other potential computer malfunctions.
Methods to Resolve Windows 10 Reset Failure
That's why we need to eliminate it immediately if the system encounters errors. Furthermore, you'll also learn an additional trick about Windows 10, updating your knowledge to prevent issues during usage.
Guide to Fixing Windows 10 Reset Failure
Method 1: Utilize Troubleshoot
If you encounter the Windows 10 reset failure and can't proceed with the usual method, you must perform a reset of your Windows 10 using Troubleshoot.
Step 1: In case your computer encounters the Windows 10 reset failure with a notification stating 'There a problem resettings your PC - No changes were made,' follow these steps: Open the Start Menu, hold down the Shift key, and click Restart to access Windows 10's Advanced Options.
Step 2: Immediately after, your computer will restart, presenting three options. Click on Troubleshoot to proceed.
Step 3: Choose the Advanced Options section, where we will address the Windows 10 reset failure using Command Prompt.
Step 4: Within the Advanced Options, there are six options to restore Windows 10. In this article, we will use Command Prompt to tackle the Windows 10 reset failure. Click on Command Prompt to initiate.
Step 5: Subsequently, you will wait for the computer to restart once again to access Command Prompt. Here, you choose the account to log in.
Step 6: Log in with your regular Windows 10 login password.
Step 7: Upon entering the Command Prompt interface, input the following three lines consecutively:
- cd %windir%\system32\config
- ren system system.001
- ren software software.001
Afterward, turn off Command Prompt and restart your computer to check whether the Windows 10 reset failure has been completely resolved.
Method 2: Restore from System Restore Point
This action will revert your computer to a previous restore point, also known as a system restore point, created when installing applications, drivers, updating to a new Windows version, or manually creating a restore point.
The restoration process does not impact personal files but will remove applications, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was created.
Here is the process to restore from a system restore point:
Firstly, open the Control Panel by typing control panel into the Search bar on the Start Menu.
In the Control Panel window, type Recovery into the Search bar.
Select Recovery from the list.
Next, click on Open System Restore.
Click on Next.
Choose the restore point related to the application, driver, or update causing the issue. Then click Next and select Finish.
If there are no system restore points, meaning system protection is turned off, follow the steps below:
Firstly, open the Control Panel by typing 'control panel' into the Search bar on the Start Menu.
In the Control Panel window, type Recovery into the Search bar.
Select Recovery.
Click on Configure System Restore.
Choose Configure.
Select Turn on system protection.
Method 3: Use Media Creation Tool
If your Windows 10 computer cannot reset to its default state as when freshly installed and you haven't created a recovery drive, try downloading the Media Creation Tool and perform a reset to the default state.
- Download the Media Creation Tool and install it from this link: Download Media Creation Tool
- Choose the language, 32-bit, or 64-bit version.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create the installation file, then click Finish.
- Copy the installation file you just created to a USB drive and connect it to the malfunctioning computer.
- On the initial setup window, enter the language and other settings, then click Next.
- If you don't see the setup screen, meaning your computer is not set to boot from the drive, what you need to do is change the boot order of the computer (from the manufacturer's website) and try again.
- Choose Repair your computer.
- On the Choose an option window, select Troubleshoot.
- Choose Advanced options.
- Select System Restore.
- Select Reset this PC to reinstall Windows 10.
Method 4: Downgrade to a previous Windows version
If you recently upgraded to Windows 10, users can downgrade to the previous Windows version within 10 days. The downgrade process won't affect personal files but will remove applications, drivers, and settings changes made after the upgrade.
- First, click on Start.
- Choose Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Select Recovery.
- Click on Reset this PC.
Method 5: Check recovery partitions
If unable to reset Windows 10 to its default state as during initial installation, it is likely that your recovery partitions are corrupted, causing the reset process to malfunction.
In this scenario, ensure your computer meets the Windows 10 system requirements, then proceed to reinstall Windows using the Media Creation Tool. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Download the tool provided by Mytour in the previous step
Step 2: Click Run (requires running as Admin).
Step 3: On the License terms page, select Accept.
Step 4: On the What do you want to do page, choose Upgrade this PC now.
Step 5: Click the tool to start downloading and installing Windows 10.
Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.
Step 7: Once ready to install, Windows 10 will provide a summary table of choices and specify which files and data will not be affected during the upgrade. Choose Change what to keep.
Step 8: Select Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or Nothing during the upgrade.
Step 9: Save and close any open applications or files.
Step 10: Choose Install.
Note: The process will take some time, and the computer will restart several times.
If the recovery partition is unavailable, the applications you have downloaded and installed will be erased.
Method 6: Perform Reset/Refresh from WinRE
If the Windows 10 reset error persists, try booting from the Windows 10 installation drive, then fix the issue through Automatic Repair from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
To perform Automatic Repair, follow the steps below:
- First, insert the USB drive or DVD into your computer.
- Restart your computer.
- Press F12 to open Windows Setup.
- Choose the USB drive or DVD you inserted.
- Click Next.
- Select Repair your computer; a blue window with options will appear on the screen.
- Here, choose Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Choose Automatic Repair from the Advanced options menu.
After the error-fixing process is complete, try resetting Windows 10 to see if the issue persists.
With the guide on troubleshooting the inability to reset Windows 10, readers have acquired a new trick for cases where resetting Windows 10 encounters the mentioned error. If you are currently using Windows 10, consider upgrading to Windows 10 Creators Update now as it offers numerous features to facilitate Windows 10 reset without encountering the issues discussed in this article. Refer to Mytour's guide on updating Windows 10 to Creators Update for instructions.
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