Date First Published: 14th March 2024
Topic: Computer Systems
Subtopic: Computer Software
Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions
Difficulty: MediumDifficulty Level: 4/10
Learn more about what a factory reset is in this article.
A factory reset clears all user data and settings from a device and restores it to its original state, like when it was first taken out of the box. A factory reset can be used to resolve persistent software issues associated with the device or wipe all data from the device before transferring it to another user.
Nearly all devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, have a factory reset option. It is usually found within the general settings of a device's user interface. A factory reset can be accomplished in other ways, like pushing a special button or a service menu.
The command is not usually labelled as 'factory reset', but something similar. Below is the name of the command used by popular operating systems.
A factory reset removes all user data, third-party applications, application data, and settings stored on a device, restoring it back to the same condition as when it left the factory. Data stored on other media, like USB flash drives, SD cards, CDs, DVDs, and in the cloud is not affected.
Performing a factory reset will permanently erase all data stored on the device. Once erased, the data is gone forever and cannot be recovered. If there is any data that the user wants to keep, they will need to transfer their data to another device or storage media. A factory reset is useful for repairing a malfunctioning device, removing difficult-to-remove malware, and fixing persistent software issues, but it is not recommended in all situations and should be used as a last resort.
A factory reset is not the same as a system restore. A system restore restores a system to a previous state from a backup, whilst a factory reset permanently erases all user data, applications, and settings. With a system restore, only the programs that were installed after the restore point will disappear.
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