Resetting my laptop

[Barbara_1943]

When the Windows 10 upgrade was free I upgraded one of my laptops from Windows 7 to Windows 10. I am now resetting that laptop back to factory specs. I have gone through the process and now it is at the window where it wants me to put in my language, etc. My question is when it loads windows again will it load Windows 10 or will it load Windows 7?

[#2]

@Barbara_1943 

If you are restoring fromm a factory image it will reload whatever OS is contained within that factory image. Which I believe you said was windows 7.

I am not sure if Windows 7 will then auto download the Windows 10 upgrade files and ask you to upgrade.

If it does not, you can then go to the windows download tool and upgrade it once more.

I followed this article a few months ago and it worked flawlessly.

https://www.onmsft.com/how-to/how-to-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade-in-2020

Excerpt from above web site:

Begin by downloading the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s “Download Windows 10” webpage. This gives you everything you need to perform the upgrade. Run the program once it has downloaded.

Link to Windows 10 download page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

Link to download tool: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

[#3]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was hoping someone would answer that has done this before. I was hoping to pass the laptop on without any of my information on it. Do you think if I booted from the recovery drive that it would go back to Windows 10?

[#4]

Hello @Barbara_1943,

IMO, if you reset using Windows 10 Reset feature, you should be back to Windows 10, as it is simply a reinstall. You can choose either to keep files or remove everything.

While if you opt to Reset factory settings, it would load the OEM partition and hence Windows 7 in your case.

Regards.

[#5]

Thanks for the input. The guide I used to wipe the hard drive was the option to remove everything. It didn't say anything about resetting it to factory condition. I guess the only way to know for sure before I give it away is to go ahead and set it up again and if it goes to Windows 10 then I can wipe it again.

[#6]

I booted up the laptop and happened to notice that the logo on the screen was a Windows 10 logo and not a Windows 7 logo. So I assume that it reset it to Windows 10. Do y'all think this is a safe assumption?

[#7]

@Barbara_1943 

Hi Barbara, yes it is fine.

Kapil Arya  is completely correct. If you use the Windows 10 reset option and choose to remove your files and data, then Windows ten re-installs itself onto the laptop while deleting all your personal data and any applications you had installed. What you have no is, essentially a laptop with a brand new install of Windows 10 on it that has never been logged into.

A determined individual may still be able to recover data using data recovery tools, however, this is time consuming, not dependable as far as full data recovery goes and expensive if you pay to have someone else do it.

I believe it is totally is safe to give it away, donate it or whatever you like. If you are yet completely sure, you can use a partition tool to remove the partitions an don't install anything on it, or you can use a tool to secure wipe the hard drive before installing an Operating System on it.

Glad you got some help.

[#8]

Yes @Barbara_1943, as the Windows 10 is loaded again, it was simply a reinstall. 

Regards.

[#9]

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

[#10]

Thanks for your help. I appreciate your input.