How To Restore Dell Desktop To Factory Settings

If your Dell laptop starts to malfunction, one of the options that you have to repair it is to restore it to its factory settings. Depending on the model you own, the procedure may vary slightly.

N.B.Before beginning, please note that by restoring your computer to its default factory configuration, all data on the C drive will be deleted. We highly recommend backing up any personal files before moving forward with the reset.

How to perform a factory reset without a password?

Here are the steps to follow for Windows 7:

Note that you can only reset to factory settings your Dell under Windows 7 after creating a Live CD. You can then remove the admin password.
Turn on your computer and start pressingF8until you get to theAdvanced Boot Options.
Note: You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press F8 after the Windows logo appears, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.
From there, selectRepair your computer by pressing Enter.

From there, select theaccording keyboard input method.

Next, you will have to enter your username and password, however, because you've already removed the password with your Live CD, then just leave the dedicated space blank and confirm.
From there, select one of the following options (depending on the model of your computer): Dell Datasafe Restore and Emergency Backup, Dell Factory Image Restore, or Dell Backup and Recovery Managers. You can then follow the onscreen instructions.

Here are the steps to follow for Windows 10 (and 8):

When the login screen appears, click on thePower button. Next,while holding the Shift key, click Restart.
Next, selectTroubleshoot.
From there, selectReset your PC.
ClickNext.
A Reset your PCscreen will appear. ChooseJust remove my filesand then selectReset.

How to factory reset a Dell under Windows 7?

ClickStart > Control Panel.
SelectSystem and Security, thenSystem.
SelectSystem protection(under Control panel home).
You can then choose between theRecommended Restoreand a different restore point.
Confirm by selectingNext.
SelectNextagain, thenFinish.
Finally, clickYesto start the process.

If you don't remember your password and can't access your account, refer to the first section of the present article.

How to factory reset a Dell under Windows 10?

Open theControl Panel.
Search forRecovery.
From there, selectOpen System Restore and thenNext.
Select the restore point and confirm by selectingNext >Finish.

If you don't remember your password and can't access your account, refer to the first section of the present article.

How to factory reset a Dell under Windows 8?

You can follow the same instructions as for Windows 10. In the previous section, you will find how to do so by accessing your account. In the first section, you will find the solution to this issue, if you don't remember your password.

How to factory reset a Dell under Windows XP without password?

You can follow the same instructions as for Windows 7 from the first section of the article.

How to factory reset a Dell under from startup?

Click Start and search for Reset.
ClickReset this PC (System Setting).
Next, select Restart now (under Advanced Startup).
From Choose an option screen select Troubleshoot.
After that, choose Factory Image Restore.
You can then complete by following the on-screen instructions.

How to factory reset a Dell from BIOS?

Turn off your computer and then turn it back on.
Press F2 (this button may vary according to models) to enter the BIOS.
Next, press Alt-F.
Restart your laptop.

How to factory reset a Dell with a keyboard?

Note that you can restart your Dell with a keyboard but you can't restart it to factory settings. If you are simply looking for a way to restart your laptop then:

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del at the same time.
Click on thePower icon.
SelectRestart.

If your keyboard isn't working and you are looking for a way to reset your Dell to factory settings, then you should enable thevirtual keyboard and follow the instructions from this article, according to your case.

How to factory reset Dell Inspiron?

Windows 10:

If you are running Windows 10, follow these steps torestore your Dell Inspiron to Factory Settings.

Click the Start button (the Windows 10 icon), and typeReset
SelectReset this PC in the System Settings
Under theAdvanced Startup, selectRestart now
In the Choose an option screen, selectTroubleshoot.
SelectFactory Image Restore.
Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to finish thereset process. This could take a while and your computer will restart.

Windows XP:

Turn on your computer and then press and hold theCTRL +F11 keys until the Dell logo appears on your screen.
Next, click theRestore button, followed byEnter. A caution message will appear to notify you about data loss incurred with the factory reset. Click on theConfirm button to proceed.
TheProgress window will now appear. Once the recovery process has begun, the Dell PC restore will usually take between 8-19 minutes to complete. Once finished, a message that reads,The system recovery process was successful will appear on your screen.
Click theFinish button, or press any key to highlight theFinish option and pressEnter.

Your computer will then restart.

Windows Vista and 7:

Turn on your computer and then press and hold theF8 key as soon as the Dell logo appears on your screen. This will take you to theadvanced boot menu options. Select theRepair your computer option, and enter your administrative password (if needed).
You'll be met with a list of options. Click onDell Factory Image Restore, followed byNext. Then click theYes checkbox next to thereformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition option. ClickNext again to begin the factory restore.
Once the operation is complete, click onFinish to restart your computer.

Note that if neither option works, this may be an indication that your laptop's factory image defaults partition have vanished (i.e. become corrupt or have been deleted). In this case, you will have to reinstall your operating system with the DVD or CD shipped with your laptop.

You need more help with your laptop? Ask our forum!

How to factory reset Dell laptop: without password, BIOS

N.B. Before beginning, please note that by restoring your computer to its default factory configuration, all data on the C drive will be deleted. We highly recommend backing up any personal files before moving forward with the reset. How to perform...