Windows 10: Do I need an installation media to reset Windows 10?

Hey guys,

My laptop came with windows 7 installed and last year I took the free update to windows 10, I want to clear everything of my laptop now, and I am just wondering if I reset the PC (Remove Everything Option) do I need a usb/cd to reinstall windows or will it just do it automatically?

:)

 

Do I need to switch to an iMac?

I am on a Mac right now trying to upgrade to OS X El Capitan and it keeps failing. Also, Office 2016 update keeps failing, in addition to updates for Firefox and Chrome. So the grass is not necessarily greener.

You can try updating manually:

Pre-requisite Task

When making significant changes to your computer such as updating the operating system, you should always backup. See links to resources about backing up by clicking the link for the respective version of Windows you are running: Windows
XP, Windows Vista, Windows
7, Windows 8/8.1

• How to manually backup and restore your files
• How to free up disk space in Windows
• How to: 10 Tips before installing Windows 10

Download the update manually:

• How
  to download official Windows 10 ISO files
• How to: upgrade from previous versions of Windows using Windows 10 ISO file

• Disable (preferrably uninstall) your Antivirus utility before attempting the upgrade.
• Restart a few times then try again.
• Disable General USB Devices (example - Smart Card Reader).
• If you are using a SCSI hard disk, make sure you have drivers available for your storage device on a thumdrive and it is connected. During Windows 10 setup, click the Custom Advanced Option and use the Load Driver command to load the appropriate driver
  for the SCSI drive. If this does not work and setup still fails, consider switching to a IDE based hard disk.
• Perform a clean boot, restart then try again.
• If you are upgrading using the .ISO file, disconnect from the Internet during setup, if you are connected by LAN (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi, disable both then attempt setup again.
• If you are updating through Windows Update, when the download reaches 100% disconnect from the Internet LAN (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi then proceed with the installation.
• If that does not work, try using the .ISO file to upgrade if possible.
• If you are connected to a domain, switch to a local account.
• If you have any external devices attached to the machine, disconnect them (example, gaming controllers, USB keys, external hard disk, printers, non-essential devices).

 

I need to do a factory reset, how do I save my programs, files etc. On Windows 10 pro. I can't connect to the internet.

To fix network connection problems in Windows 10, click on this
link.

You may also check this
article to resolve Wi-Fi issues in Windows 10.

Keep us posted.

 

The 'Reset this PC' option in Settings - Backup & Restore - Recovery should be able to do this without the need for any install media. See this tutorial: Reset Windows 10