How To Factory Reset Windows From Command Prompt

Abhishek SilwalBy
factory-reset-windows-from-command-prompt

Sometimes when your system experiences some issues, the only viable option at hand could be performing a factory reset.

In general, you can reset your PC using the utility tool through the GUI. However, if you are using Windows Recovery Environment, accessing the command prompt may be a more convenient or only option.

But can you factory reset your PC only with Command Prompt?

Factory Reset With Command Prompt

Performing a factory reset restores your PC to default configuration. It wipes all the applications and other data from your system. After the reset, it will reinstall Windows OS and any programs installed by the PC manufacturer. 

Here’s how you can factory reset your PC with the Command Prompt:

  1. If you can’t log in, start/restart your PC. Press and hold the Power button until it shuts off.
  2. Do this three times, and the next boot will load Windows Recovery Environment.
     windows-recovery-environment
  3. Now, go through Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt. troubleshoot-advanced-options
  4. Type cd C:\windows\system32 and press Enter.
  5. If you can log in, press Windows + R and type cmd. Then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch Command Prompt as administrator cmd.
  6. Type systemreset -factoryreset on the Command Prompt and press Enter.
    command-prompt-factory-reset
  7. You’ll get a choice to keep your files or remove everything.
    • If you select Keep my files , it will preserve everything inside C:\Users\<current user>. where,<current user> = your username.
    • Whereas, if you choose Remove everything, the system will delete everything even your personal files.
      keep-or-remove-everything-reset
      Both options will still remove any installed applications.
  8. If you choose to Remove everything, your system displays this menu.reset-pc-remove-files
    You can recover deleted contents if you choose Just remove my files. However, if Remove files and clean the drive is choosen, deleted contents can be harder to recover. We recommand you choose the latter option if you have any system issues.
  9. Before resetting, do a final check of all the apps that will be removed by clicking the given option.
  10. Finally, click Reset to initiate the factory reset.

Clean PC With Command Prompt

Another way to completely reset your PC is to perform a Fresh start. This method goes one step beyond factory restore and removes even the preinstalled applications. The Microsoft store apps are still reinstalled, though.

Follow the steps below to perform a fresh start:

  1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
    Command Prompt as an administrator
  2. Type cd C:\Windows\system32 and press Enter to go to this directory.
  3. Enter the systemreset -cleanpc command.
  4. Click on Next to start the process. fresh-start-clean-pc

Abhishek Silwal is an Electronics Engineer and a technical writer at TechNewsToday. He specializes in troubleshooting a wide range of computer-related issues. His educational background in Electronics Engineering has given him a solid foundation in understanding of computers. He is also proficient in several programming languages and has worked on various robotics projects. Even in his early days, he used to tinker with various computer components, both hardware, and software, to satiate his curiosity. This experience has given him a breadth of experience that goes beyond his educational qualification. Abhishek has been writing articles on dealing with varieties of technical issues and performing specific tasks, especially on a Windows machine. He strives to create comprehensive guides on fixing many system and hardware issues and help others solve their problems. You can contact him at abhisheksilwal@technewtoday.com

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2 Comments

  1. swami vijay on

    Hi Abhishek,
    every way I tried given commands by many people, it does not accept anything, but it has come up this:- C:\> and it does not accept any commands. If you can help I thank you….swami vijay’s Namaste to you…..
    My email address is : swami_vijay@hotmail.com Thank you….

    Reply
    • Abhishek on

      Hello Swami Vijay,
      I couldn’t exactly understand your issue. Could you please elaborate more on what happens?
      – Do you get any error message on the prompt?
      – Does this happen with all cmd commands or only specific ones?
      – If you can’t run “systemreset -factoryreset” or the other “systemreset” command, please go to C:\Windows\System32 folder and check whether it contains systemreset.exe.

      Reply

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