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How do you hard reset an Acer laptop?

Published in Laptop Reset 2 mins read

To hard reset an Acer laptop, you'll typically trigger the recovery environment during startup, allowing you to restore the system to its factory settings. Here's how:

  1. Power off the laptop completely: Ensure your Acer laptop is turned off. If it's frozen, press and hold the Power button for about 5 seconds until it shuts down.

  2. Initiate the recovery process: Turn on the computer and immediately press and hold the Alt and F10 keys simultaneously when the Acer logo appears on the screen. Keep holding them until you see a message saying "Please Wait".

  3. Access the recovery options: If successful, your computer will boot to a blue screen with "Choose an option". If this doesn't happen, you may need to try again, being very precise with timing on pressing Alt + F10.

  4. Select troubleshooting: Within the "Choose an option" screen, select "Troubleshoot".

  5. Choose Reset this PC or Acer eRecovery Management: The available options may vary slightly depending on your specific Acer model and version of Windows. You'll generally have two choices:

    • Reset this PC: This option allows you to keep your files or remove them completely. Choose "Remove everything" for a complete hard reset.
    • Acer eRecovery Management: This option allows you to restore your system to its factory default settings. Select "Restore to Factory Default."
  6. Follow the on-screen prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process. The process may take some time, and your laptop will restart several times. Be sure your laptop is plugged into a power source throughout the process.

Important Considerations:

  • Data Loss: A hard reset will erase all personal files, installed applications, and settings. Be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
  • BIOS Access: On some older Acer models, you might need to change the boot order in the BIOS to prioritize the recovery partition. Consult your laptop's manual for specific instructions if the Alt + F10 method doesn't work.
  • Recovery Partition: This method relies on a functioning recovery partition on your hard drive. If the partition is damaged or missing, you may need to use recovery media (USB drive or DVD) to restore your system.
  • Windows Reinstallation: If you're still having trouble, you might need to reinstall Windows using a USB drive. You can download the media creation tool from Microsoft's website.