How To Fix Windows Reset Take So Long – SOLVED Step by Step

How To Fix Windows Reset Take So Long | cpugpunerds.com

Having trouble resetting your Windows? or thinking, Why Does Windows Reset Take So Long? Windows Reset is a feature in Windows 10 that allows you to reset your PC to a clean state. It can be useful if you have problems with your PC and want to get it back to a working state. 

Resetting your PC using Windows windows will delete all of your files, settings, and apps. You’ll need to reinstall any apps that you want to use. However, the system will preserve your files. If you want to reset your PC because it’s running slow or you see errors and crashes, resetting it can help. 

Why Does Windows Reset Take So Long?

It takes too long because of a lot of data, background updates, low-end PC, or any hardware issue. An average time for a Windows reset is about 3 hours. If you are resetting your windows after making a backup, it will take more time to restore that backup after the reset. 

Here are some reasons why does Windows reset take so long:

  • Full Storage

If you have a lot of files and programs installed on your computer, the reset process will have to delete and reinstall all of them. Depending on your computer’s speed and the number of files, it can take several hours.

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  • Updates

Windows resetting often requires updates to be downloaded and installed. This allows your windows to rest without taking too long. After resetting, Windows always looks for new updates. If your Windows is not updated, then it will start downloading and updating it; it is a time-consuming process.

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  • Faulty Hard drive

If you have hardware issues, such as a faulty hard drive, It will take several minutes to close the background applications, format data, and restart your PC. The only option to avoid this is to buy a new hard drive. 

  • Low-End PCs

If you have a low-end PC, it can take longer to reset because your PC doesn’t have the resources to do so quickly. It is especially true if you have a lot of data or programs installed.

Some computers simply take longer to reset than others. However, if you’re patient, the process will eventually finish, and your computer will be as good as new.

  • Internet Speed

If you don’t want to delete your data, you must upload it to your cloud. Again, you will need a fast internet connection, as you might have hundreds of gigabytes of data. So if you don’t have a reliable, fast internet connection, resetting might take several hours.

How long should resetting Windows take?

It should take 2 to 3 hours to properly reset your Windows. Resetting your Windows is a time taking task. It also depends on the amount of data and the performance of your computer. There are two main types of windows reset, one is by keeping the data, and the other is by wiping out all the data. 

Both methods have different durations. If you’re following the data-wipeout method, it will take less time than the method with keeping the data. In the wipe data option, all your data will be formatted. It will take 15 to 20 minutes to delete all of your data. 

When you select the keep data option, your Windows starts to upload your data to the cloud. It may take one to several hours, depending on your internet speed. Then, after resetting the Windows, you have to restore this data; restoring also takes time. That’s why the method of keeping data is more time-consuming.

Steps To Fix When Your Windows Reset Is Taking Too Long – Windows 10

You can try to do a few things if your Windows reset is taking too long. These methods will support Windows to repair, replace or delete the corrupted files and programs that causing the delay. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Repair Damaged or Corrupted Files

  For example, you can use the CMD prompt to repair these damaged or corrupted files.

  • Go to your Windows start menu, search “CMD prompt” and open it. 
  • Write “SFC /scan now” into the CMD prompt and enter. 
  • If your Windows shows you the error “Windows resource protection found corrupted files but could not fix some of them,” your PC needs the repair immediately. 

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  • Now open another CMD prompt as administrator without exiting the previous one. 
  • Type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /restorehealth” and hit enter. It will take about 20 minutes to restore the files using an online health recovery tool. 

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  • After completing the file restore, go back to the previous CMD prompt and type the “SFC /scannow” command again. 
  • If you see the message Windows resource protection found corrupted files and restored them successfully,” your files are now repaired. Try resetting your windows now. 

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2. By Disabling REAgentC

A REAgentC is used for Windows Windows Recovery Environment, boot image, and a push-button reset recovery image agent. During recovery, it often causes hurdles in the “Keep data” windows resetting option. Here is how you can disable ReagentC. 

  • Go to Windows search and search CMD prompt and run it as administrator. 
  • Now type the “reagentc /disable” command and hit enter. 

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Note: Do not forget to enable the Recovery image later. You won’t be able to restore your data or install new Windows if it’s disabled. To enable the REAgentC, follow the exact steps and change the command to “reagentc /enable.”

3. Check for Updates and Reset Windows Defender

Pending updates and turning off the system Defender may also cause a delay in resetting your Windows. You may also face resetting errors like “There is a problem resetting your PC.” To avoid such issues, follow these steps:

  • Go to your Windows settings by pressing “Windows Key + I.”
  • Go to “Updates and Security,” then click “Windows update” from the list. Click on check for updates. If it starts installation, wait till it’s completed. 
  • Now go to “Windows Security” and enable the defenders if they are disabled. 

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4. Perform an SFC from the Windows

This method includes in Windows SFC. SFC scan is performed for scanning Protected System Files to diagnose any error. If any system file is corrupted or damaged, it won’t let your windows perform resetting:

  • Press “Windows+I” simultaneously to open system settings. 
  • Go to “Update and Security,” then navigate the “Recovery tab.” 
  • In the recovery tab, press reset now; you will be redirected to the “Select option” menu.
  • Select “Troubleshoot” from the list, then select “Command Prompt (CMD)” in the advanced options.
  • Enter your Username and Password after your PC restarts.
  • Go to This PC and note down the letter of the drive in which Windows is installed, Windows’ logo appears on it, and usually, it is (C:).
  • Write down this command in CMD and let your system files get scanned.
  • Command: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows.
  • After the scan is complete, close the CMD and start WINDOWS 10 

5. Using System Restore Point

Creating a restore file not only secures your data during resetting but also allows smooth resetting. As in the keep data option, reset doesn’t have to manually create any restore point. Create a Restore Point is a built-in mechanism in Windows:

  • Open the “Start Menu” type and “Create a Restore Point.”
  • In the “System Protection” tab, click “System Restore.” 
  • A window will appear saying “Restore System Files and Settings,” and you want to press “Next” here

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  • After choosing the restore point, “Automatic Restore Point” in the latest versions of Windows, press “Next.”
  • After following a couple of instructions, windows will restore all your files and system data.

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6. Manual File Replacement

For replacing files manually, there is a method, but it might lead to an unstable system if performed wrongly. Therefore, only experts are advised to do these steps as we will be using WINDOWS PowerShell as an Administrator:

  • Press Windows Key + X. A menu will appear, so you should choose “Windows Powershell (Admin).”
  • Write down the given command and press enter but instead of “corrupted-file-location-and-file-name,” replace the actual location of the corrupted file. Don’t forget to write the extension of the corrupted file along with its name.
  • You need to run the following command to have full administrator privileges entering the corrupted file location, file name, and its extension.  
  • Command: icacls C:\corrupted-file-location-and-file-name /Grant Administrators:F
  • Copy working files from a different computer and replace them with these files now
  • Command:  copy C:\location-of-healthy-file C:\corrupted-file-location-and-file-name
  • Say “Yes” if you are asked to “overwrite” the files.
  • Perform these steps until all of the corrupt files are replaced.
  •  In the end, run this command for verification.
  •  Command:  SFC /verifyonly

7. Installing Files from Microsoft’s Official Website

For this purpose, you need to make a bootable USB Drive or CD ROM using the Microsoft’s Website because we will be installing a new Window:

  • Go to the site and press the “Download Now” button below the heading “Create Windows 10 installation Media.”
  • Open the downloaded “installer file.”
  • A dialog box will appear, and you need to select “Yes” as the publisher is verified.
  • Agree to the terms and conditions by Microsoft, and a window will appear with two options; you need to select the “Create installation media.”
    • Upgrade this PC now
    • Create installation media
  • Select “Use Recommended options for this PC” and press “Next.”
  • If you’ve plugged a USB flash drive, select “USB flash drive.” But if it is a CD, then select ISO File.”
  • Choose your media and let it become bootable. It should take more or less 10 minutes.
  • In the end, secure all of your files (photos, videos, etc.) present in the Windows Drive or Downloads Folder and restart your computer to install WINDOWS.

8. Default the BIOS 

Sometimes we change the system settings from the BIOS menu, which lead to delays in tasks like Windows reset. The only option to restore is to default your BIOS. To do that, follow these simple steps:

  • Restart your PC and press the F2, F2, or Del button (According to your motherboard).
  •  Go to the ” Exit “ menu once you are in the BIOS setup. Here you can find the option “Load Optimal Defaults.”
  • Press enter and then “Yes” to confirm the default settings. It will automatically restart your PC, and then your BIOS will be in Defaulted. 

9. Resolve The Hardware Issues

If you are still facing the issue of Windows taking too long to reset, this might be due to your hard drive of RAM. Both these hardware components are the key components used during Windows reset. Here are some tips to resolve hardware issues:

  • Try running hardware tests on hard drives and RAMs. 
  • You can use HDSentinal to ensure the hard drive’s health and performance. If it’s low, you should change it immediately. 
  • Use the CPUZ application to check the health of your RAM and processor. If you see any fluctuations in the RAM hertz, try replacing it before performing the reset. 

Conclusion

Windows reset might seem like it’s taking forever, but there are a few reasons it might run slowly on your computer. We’ve outlined the most common causes and solutions in this post, so hopefully, you can get your PC back up and running quickly. 

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