Does Factory Reset Delete Everything On a Laptop?

When you’re dealing with a laptop that isn’t functioning correctly you may be asked if you want to do a factory reset.

This process can be a lifesaver for computers but it can also be a bit of a mystery.

So does a factory reset delete everything on a laptop? Let’s explore the ins and outs of this process to find out.

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What is a Factory Reset?

At its core a factory reset returns the laptop to the same settings and software it had when it left the factory.

All the manufacturer’s settings and applications are reinstalled so that the laptop is back to its original state.

This is usually done when the laptop has been having hardware or software issues that can’t be solved any other way.

It’s important to mention that a factory reset does delete most of the data on the laptop.

This includes all your files applications and settings.

As such it’s important to back up your data before you start the factory reset process.

This way you have a copy of your work stored on an external drive or in the cloud.

The answer to this question depends on the kind of factory reset you’re doing.

The most common type of factory reset is a hard reset.

This completely erases the hard drive wipes out your data and reinstalls the factory settings.

On the other hand there’s a soft reset.

This type of factory reset only returns the laptop to its original settings without deleting any data.

However this reset doesn’t always fix the problem with your laptop.

As with any process there are always some risks to doing a factory reset.

For instance if you don’t back up your data before the reset you could lose valuable information like documents photos and music.

Additionally the reset may not fix the issue that you’re having with your laptop.

So does a factory reset delete everything on a laptop? The answer is yes if you do a hard reset.

If you do a soft reset your data will remain intact but you may not be able to fix the issue with your laptop.

Therefore it’s important to back up your data before you attempt any kind of factory reset.