This method is necessary if you can’t login to Windows 10.  This can happen if you forgot your password or if an hacker changed your password.

1. Boot your PC.

2. When the login screen appears, click on the Power icon in the bottom right-hand corner.

You will be prompted with several choices. Do not click on any of them  yet.

3. Without clicking any choices, hold down the Shift key and then click on Restart.

A menu appears.

4. Click on Troubleshoot.

5. Select, Reset This PC.

6. Select, Remove Everything.

Please make sure you read the warnings carefully before proceeding.

What is hard reset 

Hard reset means the process of returning your device to factory state. Which is the same state your device was when you purchased it brand new. Think well before you do a hard reset because the process is irreversible. You cannot undo the reset once done. Any files stored or installed on the device are deleted in the process. If you want a hard reset, you need to follow the instructions for your device.

Why a Hard Reset is Necessary

A hard reset is necessary if your device becomes unstable, unusable or if its security features have been severely compromised. Also if you are going to sell your used phone or give it permanently to someone, it is necessary you do a hard reset. 

How to Hard Reset Windows 10 PC

Your Next Gen Windows device likely offers more than one way to reset it.

 The following method describes how to hard reset Windows 10 PC when you have access to it.

1. Click the start button. In the Start menu, click on Settings or PC Settings, depending on your operating system version.

2. In Windows Settings, click on Update and Security.

The Windows Update screen appears.

3. Click on Recovery in the menu on the left side of the Window.

4. Click on the Get Started button in the Reset this PC section at the top of the window.

At this point, you may be prompted to insert the original installation CD on which you received Windows 10. But in most cases you don’t have to. Windows 10 usually stores a recovery copy in the harddrive.

Windows will offer you two choices;

a.      Keep my files:

b.      Remove everything: 

Option a means that files stored in data folders such as documents folder will be preserved intact after the reset. 

Option b means that all files and apps will be removed during the reset.

               5. Select the reset option that best suits your needs.

6. When you are ready to proceed, click on the Reset button.

7. From here on follow the prompts. If you receive a prompt asking you to continue to Windows 10 or troubleshoot, click continue to windows 10.

8. Hard resetting your windows 10 PC will take a while.

A soft reset is the same as turning off the device then turning it back on. It does not wipe programs, data, or malware but can correct the device if it becomes unresponsive or crashes.

In some devices without soft reset capability, cutting off power to the device and removing the batteries, then restoring power to the device and fixing back the battery will soft reset the device.

A soft reset should be the first step to take when your computer device malfunctions.

For instance, a computer that suddenly shows the blue screen of death can be partially or fully fixed with a soft reset. In any case a soft reset will enable you to put on the computer and then deal with the issue causing the blue screen to appear.

Soft Reset of Windows computers

Nearly all  Windows computers can be soft reset by holding down the Power button for about ten seconds to shutdown. After the device shuts down, wait about ten seconds and press the Power button once to restart the computer.

Soft Reset of Mac computers

Hold down the Power button for about five seconds, to completely shut down the Mac PC. Wait a few seconds, and press the power button once again to reboot the Mac.

For some Macs pressing and holding the Power button may display a menu; press R to reboot directly, rather than shutting down and restarting the device.