What To Know
- Before selling or donating your Surface RT, it’s essential to factory reset it to protect your personal data and ensure the new owner starts with a clean slate.
- Back up your photos and videos to a cloud service like OneDrive, Google Photos, or Dropbox, or to an external hard drive.
- If you’re unable to access the settings menu or your Surface RT is unresponsive, you can use a USB drive to perform a factory reset.
Are you experiencing slow performance, glitches, or just want to sell or give away your Surface RT? A factory reset is the perfect solution to wipe your device clean and start fresh. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps on how to factory reset your Surface RT, ensuring a smooth and successful process.
Why Factory Reset Your Surface RT?
A factory reset is a powerful tool that can be used for various reasons, including:
- Solving Performance Issues: If your Surface RT is running slowly or experiencing frequent crashes, a factory reset can often resolve these issues by removing corrupted files and reinstalling the operating system.
- Removing Malware: If you suspect your device has been infected with malware, a factory reset is the most effective way to eliminate it.
- Preparing for Sale or Donation: Before selling or donating your Surface RT, it’s essential to factory reset it to protect your personal data and ensure the new owner starts with a clean slate.
- Troubleshooting Software Problems: If you’re encountering persistent software issues, a factory reset can help identify and address the underlying problem.
- Starting Fresh: Sometimes, you just want to start fresh with your Surface RT and remove all your personal data and settings. A factory reset allows you to do just that.
Backup Your Important Data
Before you proceed with a factory reset, it’s crucial to back up all your important data. This includes:
- Documents: Save all your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files to an external storage device, cloud service, or a USB drive.
- Photos and Videos: Back up your photos and videos to a cloud service like OneDrive, Google Photos, or Dropbox, or to an external hard drive.
- Apps: You can back up your installed apps using the Windows Store. However, this won’t back up your app data or settings.
- Settings: Consider backing up your settings, including Wi-Fi passwords, network configurations, and personalized preferences.
Method 1: Factory Reset Through Settings
This method is the most straightforward and accessible way to factory reset your Surface RT.
1. Open Settings: Click the “Settings” icon on the Start screen or press the **Windows key ++ I**.
2. Go to “Change PC Settings“: In the Settings app, click on “Change PC settings” in the bottom left corner.
3. Select “Update and Recovery”: In the “PC settings” window, click on “Update and Recovery.”
4. Choose “Recovery”: Navigate to the “Recovery” tab on the left side.
5. Click “Remove everything and reinstall Windows“: This option will initiate the factory reset process.
6. Select “Just remove my files”: This option will erase all your personal data and settings but will not affect the operating system. You can also choose “Remove everything,” which will completely erase your device and reinstall Windows.
7. Restart your Surface RT: The device will restart and begin the factory reset process. This may take some time, so be patient.
Method 2: Factory Reset Using a USB Drive
If you’re unable to access the settings menu or your Surface RT is unresponsive, you can use a USB drive to perform a factory reset.
1. Create a bootable USB drive: Download the Windows RT installation media from Microsoft’s website. Use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.
2. Boot from the USB drive: Connect the USB drive to your Surface RT and restart the device. Press the **volume up key** repeatedly during the boot process to access the boot menu. Select the USB drive as the boot device.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions: The Windows RT installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows RT and perform a factory reset.
Method 3: Factory Reset Using a Command Prompt
If you’re comfortable with command-line interfaces, you can also factory reset your Surface RT using the Command Prompt.
1. Access the Command Prompt: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu and right-clicking on the result, then selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Run the reset command: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: **reset this pc -cleanall**.
3. Confirm the factory reset: You will be prompted to confirm the factory reset. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Post-Reset Steps
Once the factory reset is complete, you will need to set up your Surface RT as a new device. This includes:
- Setting up your accounts: Sign in to your Microsoft account and any other accounts you want to use on your device.
- Installing apps: Reinstall the apps you need from the Windows Store.
- Restoring your data: If you have backed up your data, you can restore it to your Surface RT.
- Updating your device: Ensure your Surface RT is running the latest version of Windows RT by checking for updates.
Final Thoughts: Giving Your Surface RT a New Lease on Life
A factory reset is a powerful tool that can revitalize your Surface RT and address various issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently perform a factory reset and enjoy a fresh start with your device. Remember to back up your important data before proceeding, and always keep your device updated with the latest software for optimal performance.
Questions You May Have
Q: Will factory resetting my Surface RT erase all my data?
A: Yes, a factory reset will erase all your data, including apps, settings, and personal files. It’s crucial to back up your important data before proceeding.
Q: Can I factory reset my Surface RT without losing my data?
A: No, a factory reset will always erase all your data. There’s no way to perform a factory reset without losing your data.
Q: What happens if I interrupt the factory reset process?
A: Interrupting the factory reset process can damage your device and may make it unusable. It’s essential to let the factory reset process run to completion without interruption.
Q: Can I factory reset my Surface RT if I’ve forgotten my password?
A: Unfortunately, you can’t factory reset your Surface RT if you’ve forgotten your password. You’ll need to use a Microsoft account recovery tool to reset your password before proceeding with a factory reset.
Q: Is it safe to factory reset my Surface RT?
A: Yes, factory resetting your Surface RT is safe and is a common way to troubleshoot issues or prepare your device for sale or donation. Just remember to back up your data before proceeding.
