Is your Lenovo laptop feeling sluggish, cluttered with files, or just not running like it used to? Sometimes, the best solution is a fresh start. Resetting your laptop can feel like a big step, but it’s often the most effective way to solve persistent software issues and restore that like-new performance.
Before you begin, the most important step is to back up your important files. A reset will erase your personal data, so please save your documents, photos, and any other precious files to an external hard drive or a cloud service. Once that’s done, you’re ready to proceed.
Choosing the Right Reset Option for You
Windows provides two main reset paths, and choosing the right one depends on your goal. You’ll find both options within the Windows Recovery Environment.
How to Access the Reset Menu
To get started, click the Start button and go to Settings > System > Recovery. You’ll see a option labeled “Reset this PC.” Click the “Reset PC” button next to it. If you can’t boot into Windows, you can often access this menu by turning your laptop off and on three times in a row at the Lenovo logo screen, which will trigger the Windows Automatic Repair tool.
Keep My Files vs. Remove Everything
This is your key decision. The “Keep my files” option will reinstall Windows and remove any apps you’ve installed, but it will preserve your personal files in folders like Documents, Pictures, and Desktop. This is a great first try for solving performance problems.
The “Remove everything” option does exactly that—it wipes all your personal files, apps, and settings. Choose this if you’re planning to sell your laptop or if you want a completely clean slate. For the most thorough wipe, you may also be given an option to “Clean the drive,” which makes files harder to recover.
Using Advanced Startup for Troubleshooting
If your laptop is having serious startup issues, the Advanced Startup menu is your best friend. From the Recovery settings mentioned earlier, click “Advanced startup” and then “Restart now.” This will boot your laptop into a blue menu where you can select “Troubleshoot” and then “Reset this PC” to begin the process, even if your main operating system won’t load.
Resetting your Lenovo laptop is a powerful tool that can breathe new life into your device. By backing up your data first and carefully selecting the reset option that fits your needs, you can confidently restore your laptop’s performance and enjoy a smoother, faster computing experience.
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