Getting locked out of your Lenovo laptop because you forgot your Windows 10 password can be really frustrating. You sit staring at the login screen, hoping to recall the password, but nothing comes to mind. So what can you do? Is it possible to reset your laptop back to factory settings without knowing the password?
The good news is yes—you can reset your Lenovo laptop to its factory state even if you don’t remember your Windows 10 password. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step.
We’ll also discuss what happens to your data during the reset and which built-in Lenovo recovery tools you can use to get your laptop back to working order. Whether you’re new to this or just worried about making mistakes, this guide will help you reset your laptop safely.
Can You Factory Reset a Lenovo Laptop Without a Password?
The short answer is yes, but it’s not always straightforward.
When Windows 10 locks you out because of a forgotten password, it’s protecting your files and settings. However, Lenovo laptops usually include recovery options that let you restore your device to factory settings without logging into Windows.
This process deletes all your personal data, apps, and settings, and reinstalls a fresh copy of Windows 10. The key here is that you don’t need your Windows password to access Lenovo’s recovery partition, provided it’s still intact. This hidden partition stores the original factory image and allows you to reset your laptop even if you can’t sign in.
Built-in Lenovo Recovery Options
Lenovo laptops typically have the following recovery features:
Novo Button: Most Lenovo models come with a small “Novo” button—often a pinhole or tiny button near the power button or on the side. Pressing this button boots the laptop into a special recovery menu.
Lenovo OneKey Recovery: This is Lenovo’s proprietary software designed to restore your system to factory settings. You can access it through the Novo menu, even without a password.
Windows 10 Reset via Recovery Environment (WinRE): If Lenovo’s tools aren’t available, you can use Windows 10’s own recovery environment by triggering specific startup commands.
All of these methods allow you to reset your laptop without needing to log into your user account.
Step 1: Use the Novo Button to Access Recovery Mode
This is usually the simplest and most Lenovo-specific way to start a factory reset.
Find the Novo Button
- Look for a small pinhole or button near the power button or on the side of your laptop.
- On many Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad models, it’s marked with a backward “U” arrow icon.
- You may need a paperclip or similar tool to press it.
How to Use the Novo Button
- Turn off your laptop completely (do not just restart).
- Press and hold the Novo button for a few seconds until the Novo Menu appears.
- Select System Recovery from the menu.
- The laptop will reboot into Lenovo’s recovery environment.
Factory Reset from Recovery
Once in the recovery interface:
- Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Select Remove everything to delete all your files and settings.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
This will restore your laptop to the same state it was in when you first bought it—no password required.
Learn more about Lenovo OneKey Recovery
Step 2: Factory Reset Using Windows 10 Recovery Environment (WinRE)
If your laptop doesn’t have a Novo button or it’s not working, you can still enter Windows Recovery Environment manually.
How to Access WinRE Without a Password
To trigger WinRE, you need to interrupt the normal boot process:
- Turn on your laptop.
- As soon as the Windows logo appears, press and hold the power button to force a shutdown.
- Repeat this process 2–3 times.
- After several failed startups, Windows will enter Recovery Mode automatically.
Once you’re in the recovery environment:
- Go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything.
- Follow the prompts to start the reset process.
This will erase all files and reinstall Windows 10.
Microsoft guide on Resetting Windows 10
Important Considerations Before Resetting
Data Loss: Factory resetting your laptop will erase all your personal files, installed programs, and settings. Make sure you have backups of anything important before proceeding.
Power Supply: Ensure your laptop is plugged into a power source during the reset to avoid interruptions.
Recovery Partition: If the recovery partition has been deleted or corrupted, these methods might not work. In that case, you may need to reinstall Windows using a bootable USB drive.
Alternative: Reinstall Windows 10 Using a Bootable USB
If none of the built-in recovery options are available or working, you can reinstall Windows 10 manually:
- Use another PC to download
Danny Inayat