Resetting your Acer laptop is a useful way to fix software problems, improve performance or prepare the device for a new user. A reset restores your laptop to its original factory settings by removing personal files, installed programs and customised settings. Acer laptops offer several methods to reset safely and effectively.
This guide explains how to reset an Acer laptop using Windows settings, Acer Recovery Management and recovery drives. We will also cover backing up your data and what to expect during the reset.
When to Reset Your Acer Laptop
You should reset your Acer laptop if it runs slowly, crashes frequently or has malware infections that cannot be removed by other means. Resetting is also important if you want to wipe your personal data before selling or giving away the laptop.
Remember that resetting deletes all files and applications so backing up important data beforehand is essential.
Backing Up Important Files
Before resetting, save your documents, photos and other important files to an external hard drive, USB stick or cloud storage service such as OneDrive or Google Drive. This protects your data and makes it easy to restore after the reset.
Keep a record of software licences or activation keys for programs you need to reinstall.
Resetting Using Windows Settings
Most Acer laptops run Windows 10 or Windows 11 which have a built-in reset feature. Click the Start menu and open Settings. Go to Update & Security and select Recovery.
Under Reset this PC, click Get started. You will see two options: Keep my files which removes apps and settings but keeps personal files, or Remove everything which erases all data and returns the laptop to factory defaults.
Choose the option that suits you and follow the on-screen instructions. Your laptop will restart several times to complete the reset.
Using Acer Recovery Management
Acer laptops often include Acer Recovery Management software to simplify resetting. Search for Acer Recovery Management in the Windows search bar and open the application.
Select Restore then choose Completely Restore System to Factory Defaults or a similar option. Follow the prompts to begin resetting your laptop.
If you cannot access the software normally you may need to boot into recovery mode using special keys.
Using Recovery Mode or USB Recovery Drive
If Windows will not start, restart your laptop and press Alt + F10 repeatedly during boot to enter recovery mode. This opens Acer’s recovery environment where you can reset the device.
Alternatively, if you created a USB recovery drive, insert it and restart your laptop. Press F12 to open the boot menu and select the USB drive. Follow recovery prompts to reset your system.
What Happens After Reset
After resetting your Acer laptop will restart and show the initial Windows setup screen. You will need to select your region, language, keyboard layout and create a new user account.
Check for Windows updates and install the latest drivers from Acer’s support website to ensure your laptop runs smoothly.
Conclusion
Resetting your Acer laptop helps solve software issues and prepares your device for a fresh start. Using Windows settings, Acer Recovery Management or recovery mode you can complete the reset safely. Always back up your data first and carefully follow instructions for a successful reset.