Resetting your Student Laptop- D.O. Graduates Only

Topic

A guide to resetting your Windows 11 student laptop to its factory settings which will remove it from the WVSOM Azure/Intune portal.

Intended Audience

D.O. Graduates

Information or Resolution

Please note: Resetting your device will erase all your data, including personal files, apps, and settings. Make sure to back up important files before proceeding.

Step 1: Prepare for the reset

  1. Make sure your device is connected to a power source to avoid any interruptions during the reset process.
  2. Backup all data to an external hard drive. This process will delete all files and programs installed on your device.
  3. If possible, connect your device to the internet to ensure the latest updates are installed during the reset process.

Step 2: Access the Settings App

  1. Click on the "Start" button (Windows icon) at the bottom left corner of the screen.
  2. Click on the "Settings" gear icon.

Step 3: Start the Reset Process

  1. Click on "System."
  2. Scroll down and click on "Recovery" in the left pane.
  3. Under "Reset this PC," click on the "Reset PC" button.

Step 4: Choose your reset option

  1. You will be presented with two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." Choose the appropriate option based on your needs: a. "Keep my files": This option will remove apps and settings but keep your personal files. b. "Remove everything": This option will erase all your personal files, apps, and settings.
  2. Click on the chosen option.

Step 5: Confirm the reset

  1. If you selected "Remove everything," you might be asked if you want to "Just remove my files" or "Remove files and clean the drive." Choose the option that suits your needs.
  2. A summary of the changes will be displayed. Review the information and click on "Reset" to begin the reset process.

Step 6: Wait for the reset to complete


The reset process may take a while, depending on your device's specifications and the amount of data. Your device will restart several times during this process. Do not interrupt the process or turn off your device.

Step 7: Setup Your Device
Once the reset process is complete, your device will boot up, and you will be guided through the initial setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your device.
When prompted to sign in, you have two options:

  1. Sign in with your Microsoft account: This option allows you to synchronize your settings, files, and apps across multiple devices and access Microsoft services such as OneDrive, Office, and the Microsoft Store.
  2. Create a local account: If you prefer not to use a Microsoft account, you can create a local account instead. To do this, click on "Offline account" at the bottom of the sign-in screen. Follow the prompts to create a local account with a username and password.

After setting up your account, continue with the setup process and reinstall any desired apps.


Step 8: Restore Backed up Files
You have successfully reset your Windows 11 Surface device to factory settings. Do not forget to restore your backed-up files and reinstall the necessary apps.

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