How to Factory Reset a Toshiba Laptop

Search your computer for 'reset this PC' to fix problems with a Toshiba laptop

By
Ruben Circelli
Ruben Circelli
Ruben Circelli
Editor
  • University of Massachusetts, Boston
Ruben Circelli has been a freelance technology writer and editor since 2014. His work has appeared on dozens of sites, including Komando.com, Twinfinite, and TheGamer.
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Updated on October 18, 2023
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

  • Open the Start menu, type reset, and click the Reset this PC option. Follow the on-screen prompts.
  • Choose between keeping personal files or removing them during the reset.
  • Even if you choose to keep personal files, make sure to back up any critical data on your computer before resetting.

This article covers how to reset your Windows 11 or Windows 10 Toshiba laptop.

How to Reset a Toshiba Laptop

Resetting your computer is not reversible, and you can choose to either save personal files or overwrite and delete them entirely.

If you're ready to reset, back up anything important, even if you choose to keep your files, and remember that all the preinstalled software included with Windows will come back after a reset.

There are other options you should look at first if you're trying to speed up an old or slow computer.

  1. Open the Start menu and search for Reset. Select the Reset this PC search result.

  2. Select Reset PC if you're using Windows 11.

    'Reset PC' button highlighted in Windows 11 settings.

    Windows 10 users need to choose Get started.

    Windows 10 system reset

  3. Make your decision between keeping your files (Keep my files) or wiping all your data (Remove everything), and then follow the on-screen prompts to finish resetting your Toshiba laptop.

    Both reset options highlighted in the Windows 11 Reset this PC prompt.

  4. Throughout the reset, your computer will restart, and the whole process may take some time, depending on which option you selected above and what computer you're resetting.

  5. Once the reset has finished, continue following the on-screen prompts to set up your fresh installation of Windows 11/10. After this, you'll be left at your desktop with a completely clean computer.

Tips for Resetting in Windows

When considering a reset of your computer, there are few things to keep in mind:

  • If you're resetting your computer to try to fix an issue, if there's a chance it's either hardware-related or network-related, a reset will likely not change much.
  • If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, make sure to connect with the other users and back up any of their essential data alongside yours.
  • A reset isn't like a System Restore and so isn't undoable.
FAQ
  • How do I reset a Toshiba Satellite laptop back to factory settings?

    If you have a Toshiba Satellite laptop, the easiest way to reset it to factory settings is to use the recovery partition. Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds until the laptop powers off. Simultaneously press and hold the power button and 0 (zero) key to boot up the laptop. Release the 0 key when the laptop starts beeping. Select Yes to opt for System Recovery, then select Recovery of Factory Default Software > Next. Then, select Recover to Out-of-Box State > Next to start the process.

  • How do I factory reset a Toshiba laptop running Windows 7?

    If you're running Windows 7 on your Toshiba laptop, turn it off and remove any connected external devices. Press the power button, then press and hold the 0 (zero) key until you see a Recovery Warning message. If prompted, select the operating system. Then, select the recovery process you want, such as Recovery of Factory Software, and follow the prompts.

  • How do I factory reset a Toshiba laptop without a password?

    If you're locked out of your Toshiba laptop and can't remember the administrator password, you can still reset the device to factory settings. When you're on the login screen, press the power button and Shift key at the same time. Then, select Troubleshoot > Reset This PC.

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