Quick summary
- This guide will walk you through the process of how to hard reset your Microsoft Surface Go, ensuring a smooth and effective reset.
- Before selling or giving away your Surface Go, a hard reset is essential to ensure all your personal data is removed.
- If you’re experiencing persistent problems with your Surface Go that you can’t resolve through other means, a hard reset can be a useful troubleshooting step.
Are you experiencing slow performance, software glitches, or just want to start fresh with your Microsoft Surface Go? A hard reset, also known as a factory reset, can be the solution. This process will erase all data and settings from your device, restoring it to its original factory state. This guide will walk you through the process of how to hard reset your Microsoft Surface Go, ensuring a smooth and effective reset.
Why Hard Reset Your Surface Go?
There are several reasons why you might want to hard reset your Surface Go:
- Performance Issues: If your Surface Go is running slow, experiencing frequent crashes, or lagging, a hard reset can often resolve these issues.
- Software Glitches: Software bugs or corrupted files can cause problems. A factory reset can fix these issues by reinstalling a clean copy of Windows.
- Selling or Giving Away Your Surface Go: Before selling or giving away your Surface Go, a hard reset is essential to ensure all your personal data is removed.
- Troubleshooting: If you’re experiencing persistent problems with your Surface Go that you can’t resolve through other means, a hard reset can be a useful troubleshooting step.
Back Up Your Data!
Before you proceed with a hard reset, it’s crucial to back up all your important data. This includes:
- Files and Documents: Store your files in cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
- Photos and Videos: Back up your photos and videos to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage service.
- Applications: Make a list of your installed applications so you can reinstall them after the reset.
- Settings and Preferences: Consider backing up your settings and preferences if you want to restore them after the reset.
How to Hard Reset Your Surface Go From Windows Settings
This is the most common method and can be done directly from your Surface Go. Here’s how:
1. Open Settings: Click the Start button and select “Settings.”
2. Go to Update & Security: In the Settings window, click on “Update & Security.”
3. Select Recovery: In the left-hand menu, choose “Recovery.”
4. Reset This PC: Under “Reset this PC,” click on “Get started.”
5. Choose Your Reset Options: Select “Remove everything” if you want to completely erase your Surface Go.
6. Choose a Reset Method: You can choose to keep your files or remove everything. For a complete reset, select “Remove everything.”
7. Confirm and Start the Reset: Review your choices and click “Reset” to begin the hard reset process.
How to Hard Reset Your Surface Go Using a USB Drive
If you’re unable to access Windows Settings, you can perform a hard reset using a USB drive. Here’s the process:
1. Create a Bootable USB Drive: Download the Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft’s website. Use a USB drive with at least 8GB of space.
2. Boot from USB Drive: Connect the USB drive to your Surface Go and restart it. Press the “F12” key repeatedly during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive as the boot device.
3. Start the Reset Process: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. During the installation process, you’ll be given the option to “Reset this PC.”
4. Choose Your Reset Options: Select “Remove everything” to completely erase your Surface Go.
5. Confirm and Start the Reset: Review your choices and click “Reset” to begin the hard reset process.
Resetting Your Surface Go: Additional Tips
- Be Patient: The hard reset process can take a considerable amount of time, especially if you’ve chosen to remove everything.
- Don’t Interrupt: Don’t interrupt the reset process by shutting down or disconnecting your Surface Go.
- Reinstall Drivers: After the reset is complete, you may need to reinstall some drivers for your Surface Go peripherals. These drivers can be downloaded from the Microsoft website.
After the Reset: Setting Up Your Surface Go
Once the hard reset is complete, you’ll need to set up your Surface Go again. This process will involve:
- Setting Up Your Account: You’ll need to sign in with your Microsoft account or create a new one.
- Restoring Data: If you backed up your data, you can restore it from your backup location.
- Reinstalling Applications: Reinstall the applications you need from the Microsoft Store or other sources.
The Final Step: Enjoy Your Refreshed Surface Go!
After completing the hard reset and setting up your Surface Go, you should experience a smoother and faster device. Take advantage of this fresh start and enjoy your Surface Go!
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Will a hard reset delete all my data?
A: Yes, a hard reset will erase all data and settings from your Surface Go, restoring it to its original factory state.
Q: Can I recover my data after a hard reset?
A: It’s highly unlikely that you can recover your data after a hard reset. It’s crucial to back up your data before performing a hard reset.
Q: What if I can’t access Windows Settings to perform a hard reset?
A: If you can’t access Windows Settings, you can use a bootable USB drive to perform a hard reset.
Q: Is there a way to reset my Surface Go without losing my data?
A: A hard reset will always erase your data. If you want to keep your data, you can try other troubleshooting steps, such as running a system scan or updating your drivers.
Q: Will a hard reset fix all software problems?
A: A hard reset can often fix software problems, but it’s not a guaranteed solution. If you’re experiencing persistent software issues, it’s a good idea to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.