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Welcome to the 'Resetting your pre-owned Windows desktop computer' course. In this video, you'll learn how to reset a pre-owned Windows computer that might have been given to you permanently by a family member or friend. A reset will delete the previous owner's files and applications, and wipe the computer's memory. This will make it like a brand new computer ready for you to make your own. The steps in this video will also come in handy if you plan to pass your Windows computer on to someone else in the future. If you plan to pass on your computer to someone else permanently in the future, you should first reset it. This will protect your security and privacy. Let's get started. If the screen asks you to choose a language, your computer is already reset and you can skip the rest of this demonstration and go to the next course, called 'Setting up your new Windows desktop computer."
If you see the previous owner's Sign In screen, you'll need to delete their account and all the files and data on the computer so it's safe for you to use as your own computer. To do this, you'll first need to log into it using the previous owner's password or PIN. Of course, you shouldn't share passwords with others, so ask the computer's previous owner to enter their password onto the Sign In screen for you. Once the computer is fully reset, the previous owner's password or PIN will be erased, and you will be able to create your own to keep your computer and information secure. Once you have logged into the computer, you will see the computer's main screen, known as the desktop. It shows icons for files and folders, and it's the first screen you see each time you log in. The computer will need to be connected to Wi-Fi for the reset to work successfully. If it isn't already connected to Wi-Fi, you can learn how to do this in the 'Windows desktop: System settings' course.
To begin the reset, open Windows Settings. To find it, look for the Start button at the bottom of the screen. It looks like a window. Click on it, and from the panel that appears, find the Settings icon. It looks like a cog wheel. Click on it to open the Settings panel. From the menu on the left, click on System. A list of options will appear on the right. Scroll down to find Recovery, and click on it to see the options. Then click on Reset this PC. A pop up will appear with options to 'Keep my files' or 'Remove everything', including all files and software. Because we are resetting a pre-owned Windows computer, we'll click on 'Remove everything'. Whenever your computer shows a blue window, you may be about to do something that can erase files and other information. Your computer will say it is getting things ready, and, after a moment, the pop up will ask: How would you like to re-install Windows? To ensure your computer receives the latest version of Windows during the reset, click on 'Cloud download'. The pop up will change to show 'Additional settings'. The current settings are to just remove files and reinstall Windows.
To make the reset more secure for you and the previous owner, click on 'Change settings'. Here, you'll see an option called 'Clean data?'. It shows No, which means it's currently switched off. 'Clean data?' erases all the previous owner's data, information, and applications. Click the switch so that it shows Yes to turn 'Clean data' on. Then click Confirm in the bottom-right of the pop up. The 'Additional settings' pop up will reappear, and you can click Next to continue. The computer will let you know it's getting things ready. Then, after a moment, show the 'Ready to reset this PC' pop up. You can read through the list to learn what your computer is planning to do, and to see that this is the previous owner's last chance to back up any files or photos. If they are close by and okay to proceed, click Reset now.
The reset may take up to 40 minutes to complete, depending on how much data and software must be erased. You don't have to do anything during this process, but if you watch what happens during the reset, you'll notice a few different stages, beginning with the 'Preparing to reset' screen. You can track progress by watching the changing percentage on the screen. Next, your computer may restart several times and tell you that it's installing or resetting. Finally, depending on your Windows computer, you will see a black screen that shows the Windows logo, a screen with the name of the computer maker, or just a plain black screen. Once you see a screen asking you to select a language, your pre-owned computer is reset and ready to set up. If you are unsure about any steps, you can rewind the video. When you're ready, watch 'Setting up your new Windows desktop computer' to complete the set-up process. You'll find this and many other great courses on Be Connected.