Is your Lenovo laptop feeling sluggish, acting up with strange errors, 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 clear out digital clutter and restore its original speed and stability. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your computer’s operating system.
Before you begin, the most important thing to remember is to back up your personal files. A reset will erase your apps, settings, and personal data, so saving your photos, documents, and other important files to an external hard drive or cloud service is an essential first step.
Choosing the Right Reset Option for You
Windows provides two main reset paths, and choosing the right one depends on your goal. The first option, “Keep my files,” is the gentler approach. It reinstalls Windows and removes all your installed applications and settings, but it preserves your personal files in a folder on the desktop. This is perfect for solving performance issues without losing your photos or documents.
The second option, “Remove everything,” does exactly that. It wipes the drive completely, giving you a brand-new, out-of-the-box laptop. Use this if you’re planning to sell or donate your device, or if you want a completely clean slate.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your Laptop
To start the process, click the Start button and go to Settings > System > Recovery. You will see a option labeled “Reset this PC.” Click the “Reset PC” button next to it. The system will then ask you to choose between keeping your files or removing everything. After you make your selection, Windows will guide you through the final prompts. The process can take some time, so make sure your laptop is plugged into a power source.
When Your Laptop Won’t Start Properly
If your Lenovo is having trouble even loading Windows, you can still access the reset feature. Repeatedly turn your laptop off and on by holding the power button until the Windows logo appears, then immediately press and hold the power button again to interrupt the startup. Do this two or three times, and you should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). From there, go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC to begin.
Giving your Lenovo laptop a reset can breathe new life into it, solving persistent problems and restoring its performance. By backing up your data and following these simple steps, you can confidently guide your device back to a smooth and stable state.
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