Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Restore a hard drive in Windows 10 to factory settings
• Method 2 of 4: Format a second hard drive in Windows
• Method 3 of 4: Restore a drive in macOS to factory settings
• Method 4 of 4: Format a second drive in macOS

This wikiHow teaches you how to restore the hard drive of your Windows or MacOS computer to its original factory settings.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Restore a hard drive in Windows 10 to factory settings

1. Click on the Start menu Click on Settings click on Update and security.
2. click on Recovery. This is in the left column.
3. click on To work under "Reset this PC".
4. Select Delete everything. This ensures that all your apps and personal data are deleted from the hard drive.
5. Select an option for cleaning the disc.
   • If you reset your PC because someone else will be using it, click Delete files and clean the drive to ensure that they cannot access your data.
   • If you plan to keep the computer, click Only delete files.
6. click on Next one. Another confirmation appears.
7. click on Put back. Windows will now begin the reset process. Once the process is complete, follow the prompts to set up Windows as new.

Method 2 of 4: Format a second hard drive in Windows

1. Press ⊞ Win+S.. The Windows search bar will open.
   • This method aims to delete the data from a hard drive on your computer that is not your primary drive.
2. Type management.
3. click on Computer management.
4. Select Disk management under "Storage". It's in the left column. You may need to click the arrow next to "Storage" to see "Disk Management". A list of hard drives connected to your computer will appear.
5. Right click on the drive you want to reset. You can select any disk except the one on which Windows is installed.
6. click on Format.
7. click on Yes. The data on the hard disk will be deleted.

Method 3 of 4: Restore a drive in macOS to factory settings

1. Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet. You need a way to access the factory settings of the Mac once the hard drive is wiped, so the computer must be online.
   • This method will erase all data on your hard drive and replace it with the original factory settings.
   • Make sure you have backed up your data before you start.
2. Click on it click on Restart. The Mac will now shut down and restart. You must complete the next step before the login screen appears, so respond quickly.
3. Press ⌘ Command+R. when the gray screen appears. This screen appears after the computer is turned off and starts to reboot. The Tools window appears.
4. click on Disk Utility.
5. Select your hard drive. The name differs for each Mac, but it appears in the left panel. Look for a disk with a name like "Startup Disk".
6. Click on the tab To clear. It's in the main window.
7. click on Structure.
8. Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
9. click on To clear. The data on your hard drive will now be erased and reformatted. This can take from a few minutes to a few hours. Once the process is complete, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process and set up your Mac as new.

Method 4 of 4: Format a second drive in macOS

1. Click on the magnifying glass icon. It's in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Type Utility. A list of results will appear.
3. click on Disk Utility - Utility.
4. Click on the drive you want to format. This cannot be the disk where macOS is installed.
5. click on To clear. This is at the top of the window.
6. Type a new name for the hard drive.
7. Select a partition layout. The options you select depend on your needs.
8. click on To clear. The selected hard drive will now be erased and reformatted.