Wiping Windows 10 isn’t exactly fun, but if you’re aiming for a clean slate—maybe selling the PC, fixing some deep-rooted issues, or just starting over—it’s totally doable once you get the hang of it. The tricky part is making sure all your personal stuff is backed up, because this process deletes everything. Also, knowing where to find the reset options in Windows can be a bit confusing, especially since some menus hide away or look different depending on updates. Trust me, it’s kinda weird how Windows loves making things less straightforward. But once you master the steps, it’s just a matter of patience and following the prompts. The results? A fresh machine that’s basically like getting a new PC out of the box—minus the hassle of reinstalling Windows from scratch.
How to Wipe Windows 10
Method 1: Using Built-in Reset Option
This is the most common way and works well if Windows is still booting okay. It wipes everything and reinstalls Windows 10, which usually saves some time compared to doing a clean install from bootable media. The reason it helps? Because it cleans out all your personal stuff, apps, and settings without needing extra software or disks. On some setups, it might fail or get stuck, especially if Windows itself is borked, but most times it just works fine after a reboot or two.
Open Settings from the Start menu
- Click the Start button or press Windows key, then select Settings (the gear icon).
- If Windows isn’t launching properly, you can also open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
This menu is basically your hub for system options, so don’t be surprised if it feels like a maze sometimes—Windows has to make it harder than it should.
Navigate to Update & Security
- Inside Settings, click on Update & Security.
That’s where the recovery options hide. Yep, Windows’s way of hiding the reset button behind a few clicks. Not ideal, but still better than reformatting with a disk, right?
Choose Recovery > Reset this PC
- On the left sidebar, click on Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
This is where the magic begins. It’s like Windows is asking, “You sure you wanna do this?” and you’re saying, “Yes, I really do.”
Select How Thorough You Want It
- If you’re ready to wipe everything, pick Remove everything. That includes your docs, apps, settings—basically, starting over fresh.
- It applies if you’re prepping the machine for resale or fixing a stubborn virus mess.
Be prepared for a wait—sometimes an hour or more depending on how much data is there. Windows will then reinstall itself, showing a progress bar during this whole process. Sometimes it seems frozen, but just give it time.
Follow the Final Prompts
- Keep an eye on the screen, follow any prompts, and let Windows do its thing. It’ll ask if you want to wipe just your files or do a full clean with drive cleanup—that’s usually better if you really want to wipe everything.
Once Windows finishes, you’ll get a fresh installation, ready for setup. It’s kinda weird how it all just works, but on some machines, this step flirts with failure—like it gets stuck or throws errors. Rebooting often helps, or trying again might be necessary.
Other Tips and Tips for the Wary
- Disconnect all external drives, SD cards, or USB sticks so Windows doesn’t accidentally wipe their data either.
- Note down any software licenses or activation keys—just in case something weird happens and you need them later. Of course, Windows 10 often activates automatically with your digital license, so don’t lose sleep over that.
- Keep your PC plugged in until the process is finished—no one wants a half-wiped machine because of a power outage.
Extra Ways to Wipe Windows 10
If the built-in reset doesn’t work—say, if Windows refuses to boot or refuses to even load—then a more brute-force approach might be needed: a clean install from bootable media. That involves creating a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD, booting from it, and formatting the drive during installation. It’s more work, but it guarantees a clean slate. Tools like Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool make creating the install media pretty straightforward, even if it feels oddly intimidating at first.
Another hack is using disk wiping tools like Winhance or DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke).Usually overkill for most, but sometimes necessary if you’re super paranoid about data recovery or need to wipe multiple drives securely.
On some setups, running commands like shutdown /r /o /f /t 0 in PowerShell or Command Prompt can bring up advanced startup options, including resetting the PC from there—if Windows is responsive enough to run those commands.
Summary
- Back up your files first—don’t be that person who wipes everything and then panics.
- Use the Windows settings to get into Update & Security > Recovery.
- Choose to Reset this PC and go with Remove everything.
- Follow the prompts, and give it some time—you’ll probably see progress bars, and that’s normal.
Wrap-up
Wiping Windows 10 again can seem intimidating, especially if it’s your first time, but with patience, it becomes just another task. On one setup it’s straightforward, on another, it might throw a few curveballs—like any tech thing, really. Best bet? Back everything up, prepare for a wait, and don’t freak out if things seem weird at first. Sometimes, Windows needs a little nudge to do what it’s supposed to.