The Answer in 2024 | Does a factory reset delete everything?

What is a factory reset?

A factory reset is the process of restoring any electronic device to its original manufacturer settings. This operation resets the device to its default state as it was when it left the factory.

A factory reset can be used to eliminate any errors or long-standing issues from your mobile device/laptop. Sometimes, when your PC keeps freezing or your smartphone is frozen, a factory reset might come in handy. In this day and age, it's necessary to factory reset a phone before selling, purchasing, destroying, or changing ownership.

Yet, the real question is, does a **factory reset really delete everything**? Is it the same for Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android devices?

Given how much personal information they contain, it is important to know how much of it is removed by a factory reset.

Will a factory reset delete everything on Windows 10/Mac?

Windows 10 and Mac are the most popular operating systems for desktop and laptop computers, together accounting for more than 88% of desktop users.

Both individuals and companies use them to store sensitive information. In this segment, we'll discuss if a factory reset will delete everything on Windows 10/Mac.

1. Does Factory Reset on Windows 10 Remove Everything?

Windows 10 is flexible in this regard. It lets you choose between keeping and removing your files. In the main menu, select “Recovery Options.” This will take you to the Reset menu, where you can choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything.”

If you plan on selling or replacing your computer, choose the “Remove everything” option. If you want to boost your system's speed and performance, choose “Keep my files.” However, it is recommended to use some Windows backup software to back up your documents and system regardless of which option you choose, for the sake of data security.

Note: You can easily recover files after a factory reset on Windows 10 or Windows 11 using the Data Recovery Wizard tool. Download and run this software to recover deleted files.

Here are the steps to recover deleted files in Windows 10:

Step 1. Select the exact location of the file and click on the "Scan" button to proceed.

Select the location to scan for deleted files

Step 2: After the scan is complete, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders on the left. You can then use the "Filter" feature or click on the "Search for a file or folder" button to look for your deleted files.

Step 3. Click the “Recover” button and save your recovered file – preferably to a different location than the original.

2. Does a factory reset erase everything on a Mac?

Unlike Windows, a Mac is fairly straightforward. Once you choose the factory reset option, it will wipe out all personal information and files. This includes all apps, videos, images, documents, or anything else on the device.

As a Mac user, it's necessary to perform a Mac backup, which can be done via cloud storage, USB, or an external hard drive. To reset the system, you just need to access the "macOS Recovery" and follow the on-screen instructions.

Will a factory reset delete everything on my iPhone/Android?

Now let's turn to the smartphone (iPhone/Android) from the desktop. Some 6.64 billion people use smartphones, representing 83.40% of the global population. No other device in history has been adopted by so many people so quickly.

With that in mind, what you need to know is that a Factory Reset will remove everything from your iPhone/Android. We'll try to answer that question here.

1. Does a factory reset delete everything on an iPhone?

A “factory reset” would delete all the information on the phone, returning it to its original settings. Users would lose their contacts, notes, videos, photos, songs, texts, and apps.

- When you perform a factory reset, all information is deleted. - Files synced with iCloud will not be removed if you do a factory reset. - A jailbroken iPhone allows users to install third-party apps. All of these apps will be deleted upon a factory reset.

2. Does a factory reset delete all data from an Android phone?

Factory resets on Android aren't as effective as they are on iPhones. Data can still be recovered from an Android after a factory reset. A reset is best for improving your device's speed and functionality.

• It's recommended that you use a specialized Android data-wiping tool before selling or buying an Android device.
• Your SD card should be wiped separately. A factory reset will not remove data from the SD card.

How to Reset Your Phone or Laptop to Factory Settings

So far, we've discussed factory resets and their impact on smartphones and laptops. Coming up next, we'll guide you through the process of resetting your phone and laptop in a few simple steps. Stay tuned!

How to Factory Reset Your iPhone

You can restore your iPhone to its factory settings with these simple steps:

Step 1: Go to “General Settings.”

"The second step is to enter the reset settings from the general settings."

Step 3: Choose “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID password, then tap “Erase iPhone.”

Your phone will begin the process. When it's done, your phone will restart and return to its factory settings.

How to Reset a Laptop to Factory Settings

There are several ways to reset a laptop. You can restore Windows 10 to its factory settings without a admin password.

However, the way to do this differs for each version of Windows. For Windows 8 and 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Perform a factory reset without an admin password. While on the login screen, click the Power button while holding down the Shift key.

Step 2: Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

Step 3: Windows will present you with two options: “Keep my files” or “Remove everything.”

4. Select “Erase all content and settings” to perform a full reset.

The device will be restored to its factory version and all data will be deleted. You can reset any phone or laptop this way.

FAQ: "Does a Factory Reset Remove All Content?"

We hope you now have a good grasp of the basics of factory resets. In this section, we'll answer some important FAQs about how a factory reset erases everything.

1. What will a factory reset leave behind?

It depends on the device. When you reset an iPhone, Mac, or Windows desktop to its factory settings, all personal data is erased. With Android devices, there is a greater possibility that some residual data could be recovered.

2. How can I factory reset my iPhone without a password or computer?

Perform a "hard reset." Hold down the Volume Up button, Volume Down button, and Side button simultaneously. After a moment, your device will perform a factory reset.

How to reset your Android device

Follow this simple sequence:

Apps > Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset > Erase everything.

How do I reset my Dell laptop to factory settings?

If you want to reset your Dell laptop to factory settings with Windows 10, you can do so by following these steps:

Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

When the Recovery Options window appears, click on “Get started.” Windows 10 will immediately begin resetting.

Last Words

This blog post will comprehensively answer the question, "Does a factory reset delete everything?" and address how to remove personal information. It explains how factory resetting works on Mac, Windows 10, iPhones, and Android devices, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Lastly, we also explained the easiest way to do this on all devices. Give it a read and let us know your thoughts on the subject.