How to Recover Files After Factory Reset in Windows 10

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While smoothly operating on your Windows 10 system, numerous users have encountered technical hiccups without a clear root cause. Nevertheless, as a final recourse, it is consistently recommended to consider a Factory Reset. This is typically the most effective solution in scenarios where a virus is causing system malfunctions, significant corruption in the computer or external devices, upgrading to the latest Windows version, persistent computer freezing, or when it is running notably slower. It’s important to note that resetting Windows 10 carries significant consequences, rendering files and folders inaccessible. However, recovering files after a Factory Reset in Windows 10 is straightforward, provided you choose the correct approach.

After-effects of a Factory Reset

Performing a Factory Reset in Windows 10 restores the computer system to its initial configuration, eliminating all previously installed applications, files, malfunctions, programs, settings, and viruses. This process also involves reinstalling the Windows operating system, offering users a clean slate for a fresh start with Windows.

Restoring files from a freshly reset Windows 10 system may initially seem daunting. However, the process hinges on a single factor: whether or not you have taken a backup of your files. Below are the methods you can choose from based on your response to the aforementioned question:

1. Recover files from backup –
   As they say, “Prevention is better than cure”. The most useful preventive measure is to take backup of all files, folders, video, and photos which can prove to be handy at these situations. Users keep a backup of all their data in hard drives and USB drives.

   Following a Factory Reset on Windows 10, connecting the external drive to your system allows for the restoration of all data. This process is straightforward, provided you maintain a regular backup of your data.

2. Recover files using a professional tool –
   When you don’t have backup, it becomes impossible to manually recover files after Factory Reset in Windows 10. The only resort is to go for a professional software. One such tool is the Kernel for Windows Data Recovery. It is a powerful and secure tool which can recover any kind of lost, deleted, or inaccessible photos, documents, files, and folders from Windows 10 as well as external drives.
   Free Download 100% Secure

   Follow these steps to safely recover all files-

   • Download the Kernel for Windows Data Recover software in your system.
   • Based on your need, choose the right recover mode- Quick Scan, Deep Scan and File Trace.
   • Choose the drive where the inaccessible files were present earlier. The drive information will be presented and now, click on ‘Next’.
   • The searching process will commence, and you can check the progress.
   • You can look at the detailed preview of the recovered files.
   • Select the exact file which you need to recover and click on ‘Recover’.
   • Choose a destination to save the recovered file and click on ‘OK’.
   • It will begin the recovery and saving process.
   • File will be saved to the selected destination successfully.

It is advisable to take preventive measures before its too late to lose all the data. These are a few precautions that you can take to avoid a file becoming inaccessible –

1. Take backup:
   The first and foremost thing is to take proper backup of all the important files and documents to avoid it getting lost. You can store all the data in external devices like hard drives or pen drive as well as cloud-based storage.
2. Choose the right option before Factory Reset:
   When you select to Reset your Windows 10 system, it provides the users with 2 options-
   • Keep my files
   • Remove everything

   Make sure to select the first one to ensure that all files are preserved safely and securely.

3. Run an anti-virus scan regularly:
   Even a tiny virus can cause havoc in the system which may result in opting for a system Reset. Be careful to run an anti-virus scan regularly in your system to avoid any such incidents.

Conclusion

Frequently, users opt to perform a system reset when it is running sluggishly or experiencing frequent freezes. A Factory Reset offers a fresh start by erasing all previously existing files and folders on the system. If needed, a file can be retrieved directly from the backup. If you haven’t created a backup, a specialized tool such as the Kernel Windows Data Recovery software can be invaluable recover deleted files from Windows 10 easily.