So, your Lenovo laptop is acting up, running slow, or you just want a fresh start? Resetting it to factory settings can be a great way to fix those issues or prepare your device for a new owner. But, if you’re new to this, it might feel a bit daunting. Don’t worry — I’ve got your back. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to reset your Lenovo laptop step-by-step, explain the different methods, and answer common questions like whether your files will get deleted or what to do if your laptop won’t boot.
Why Reset Your Lenovo Laptop?
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s quickly cover why you might want to reset your Lenovo laptop in the first place.
- It’s running slow or freezing often.
- You want to remove viruses or malware.
- You’re selling or giving it away.
- You want to start fresh with a clean system.
Resetting the laptop wipes it clean and installs a fresh copy of Windows — making it feel like new again.
What Happens When You Reset a Lenovo Laptop?
One big question many have is: Will resetting delete all my files?
The answer is: it depends on the option you choose. Lenovo laptops generally let you choose:
- Keep my files: This option reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files like photos and documents. However, your apps and settings are removed.
- Remove everything: This deletes all your personal files, apps, and settings. The laptop returns to factory conditions.
It’s worth noting that, even if you keep your files, it’s smart to back up everything important first. Think about all the photos, documents, or software keys you don’t want to lose. You can use an external hard drive, a USB stick, or cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google Drive.
Different Ways to Reset a Lenovo Laptop
Lenovo offers several ways to reset your laptop, depending on whether your system boots normally or you’re locked out. I’ll cover these options from easiest to more technical.
1. Reset Lenovo Laptop Using Windows Settings (Normal Boot)
If your laptop boots up fine and you can log in, this is the easiest way.
Step-by-step:
- Click the Start menu and open Settings (gear icon).
- Go to Update & Security.
- Select Recovery from the left sidebar.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.
Example:
Maybe you’ve noticed your laptop’s been sluggish, and you want to keep your treasured photos but get rid of junk apps. Choose “Keep my files” and the system will reinstall Windows but leave your personal files untouched.
Pro tip: This process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour depending on the laptop’s speed and options chosen.
2. Reset Lenovo Laptop Using Novo Button (If Windows Won’t Boot)
Now, what if your laptop doesn’t boot normally or is stuck in a black screen? Don’t panic; Lenovo laptops have a Novo button — a small pinhole usually near the power button.
Step-by-step:
- Shut down your laptop.
- Use a paperclip or pin to press the Novo button.
- The laptop will power on and display the Novo Button Menu.
- Select System Recovery.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your laptop.
This accesses Lenovo’s built-in recovery system even when Windows won’t start.
Why this is handy:
Say your laptop crashed and Windows won’t load at all. The Novo button lets you access recovery without needing a separate USB or DVD. It’s a lifesaver in emergencies.
3. Reset Lenovo Laptop Using a Recovery Drive or USB
If the first two options don’t work — maybe your laptop is completely unresponsive — you can reset your system using a recovery drive.
What you’ll need:
- Another working Windows PC.
- A USB drive with at least 16GB free.
Step-by-step for creating a recovery drive:
- On a working PC, plug in your USB drive.
- Search Create a recovery drive in Windows Search and open the tool.
- Follow prompts to copy system files to the USB drive.
- Once ready, plug this USB into your Lenovo laptop.
To reset from the USB:
- Power off your Lenovo laptop.
- Insert the recovery USB.
- Press the Novo button or access the Boot Menu (often F12 or Fn + F12).
- Select the USB drive to boot from.
- Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Follow the prompts to reset.
Heads up: This is a slightly more advanced method, but it’s a solid fallback when other recovery options fail.
4. Reset Lenovo Laptop via Command Prompt (Advanced)
If you’re comfortable with command lines or want to try one last option, you can reset via Command Prompt in Windows Recovery Environment.
Step-by-step:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
- Hold Shift and select Restart (from Start menu).
- Or press Novo button and select System Recovery.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
- In Command Prompt, type:
systemreset -factoryreset
and hit Enter.
- Follow the prompts to reset.
If you get an error, it might mean that recovery options aren’t available on your system partition.
What About Backing Up Data? Don’t Skip This!
Here’s the thing: even though Windows offers an option to keep your files, backing up before a reset is just smart. You really don’t want to lose that family photo album or years of work documents.
- Use cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
- Copy important files to an external hard drive.
- Export bookmarks, emails, or software licenses (some apps let you deactivate and reactivate on reset).
What if you forget?
The reset options usually warn you, but sometimes the “Remove everything” option might get chosen accidentally — and that wipes everything.
Common Concerns and FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Will resetting delete all my files? | If you choose “Remove everything,” yes. If you choose “Keep my files,” your personal files stay. |
| Can I recover files after reset? | It’s tricky after a full reset; backups beforehand are crucial. |
| What if my Lenovo laptop won’t boot? | Use the Novo button to access recovery or create a recovery USB. |
| Will resetting remove my Windows license? | No, Windows license is tied to your hardware and will reactivate automatically after reset. |
| How long does resetting take? | Usually 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on method and hardware speed. |
| Can I reset without losing installed programs? | No, all programs will be removed; you’ll need to reinstall them after reset. |
Wrapping Up
Resetting your Lenovo laptop might sound scary at first, but once you know the steps and options, it’s really straightforward. Just remember:
- Always back up important files first.
- Choose the reset option that suits your needs (keep files or remove everything).
- Use the Novo button for stuck or unbootable devices.
- Have a recovery drive handy if possible.
- Don’t panic — recovery tools exist for a reason!
If you ever feel stuck, Lenovo’s official support site offers great step-by-step guides tailored for your model.
References
- According to Lenovo’s official support page, the Novo button lets you access recovery when Windows won’t start Lenovo Support.
- Microsoft explains the Reset this PC feature in Windows 10 and 11, including options to keep files or remove everything Microsoft Support.
- The importance of backup before reset is emphasized by tech experts to avoid data loss PCMag.
Got your Lenovo laptop reset yet? How did it go? Feel free to ask if you hit any snags — I’m here to help!
Danny Inayat