How to Hard Reset Surface RT: Step-by-Step Guide for Instant Results!

Quick notes

Before you sell or donate your Surface RT, a hard reset ensures you remove all your personal data.
If you’re experiencing a specific issue, a hard reset can be a step in the troubleshooting process.
If you’re unable to access Settings or Recovery Mode, you can use a USB drive to perform a hard reset.

Feeling frustrated with a slow or unresponsive Surface RT? A hard reset, also known as a factory reset, can be your solution. This process wipes your device clean, restoring it to its original factory settings. This can be a helpful solution for various issues, including:

Performance problems: If your Surface RT is running slowly or experiencing frequent crashes, a hard reset can often resolve these issues.
Software glitches: A hard reset can fix software bugs or errors that might be causing problems.
Preparing to sell or donate: Before you sell or donate your Surface RT, a hard reset ensures you remove all your personal data.
Troubleshooting: If you’re experiencing a specific issue, a hard reset can be a step in the troubleshooting process.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps of how to hard reset your Surface RT, ensuring a smooth and successful process.

Important Considerations Before You Begin

Before you proceed with a hard reset, it’s crucial to understand the implications:

Data Loss: A hard reset will erase all data on your Surface RT, including:
Files: Documents, photos, videos, music, and other files stored on your device.
Apps: All installed apps will be removed.
Settings: Your personalized settings, including Wi-Fi passwords and account information, will be deleted.
Backups: Before you start, create backups of all your important data using OneDrive, an external hard drive, or a cloud storage service.
Recovery: Ensure you have access to your Microsoft account credentials. You’ll need them to reactivate your Surface RT after the reset.

Method 1: Hard Reset Through Settings

This method is the most common way to perform a hard reset on your Surface RT. Here’s how:
1. Open Settings: From the Start screen, navigate to “Settings.”
2. Go to “Change PC Settings”: Click on the “Change PC settings” option.
3. Select “General”: In the left-hand menu, choose “General.”
4. Click “Refresh your PC”: Under the “General” section, you’ll find “Refresh your PC.” Click on this option.
5. Choose “Keep my files”: You’ll be presented with two options: “Keep my files” and “Remove everything.” Select “Keep my files” to retain your personal data.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions: The process will begin, and your Surface RT will restart. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

Method 2: Hard Reset Using Recovery Mode

If you can’t access the Settings menu, you can perform a hard reset using Recovery Mode. Here’s how:
1. Turn off your Surface RT: Press and hold the power button until the device shuts down.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: Press and hold the volume-down button while pressing the power button. Release both buttons when the Surface RT logo appears.
3. Select “Troubleshoot”: In the Recovery Mode menu, choose “Troubleshoot.”
4. Select “Reset your PC”: Click on the “Reset your PC” option.
5. Choose “Remove everything”: You’ll be presented with two options: “Keep my files” and “Remove everything.” Select “Remove everything” to perform a complete hard reset.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

Method 3: Hard Reset Using a USB Drive

If you’re unable to access Settings or Recovery Mode, you can use a USB drive to perform a hard reset. Here’s how:
1. Create a bootable USB drive: You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space. Download the Windows 8.1 ISO file from Microsoft’s website and create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus or the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
2. Boot from the USB drive: Insert the USB drive into your Surface RT and restart the device. Press the volume-down button repeatedly during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive as the boot device.
3. Choose “Repair your computer”: In the Windows setup screen, click on “Repair your computer” at the bottom left corner.
4. Select “Troubleshoot”: Choose “Troubleshoot” from the options presented.
5. Select “Reset your PC”: Click on the “Reset your PC” option.
6. Choose “Remove everything”: Select “Remove everything” to perform a complete hard reset.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

Post-Reset Steps

Once the hard reset is complete, you’ll need to:

Set up your Surface RT: You’ll be guided through the initial setup process.
Install apps: Reinstall any apps you need from the Windows Store.
Restore data: If you have backups, restore your data to your Surface RT.
Update drivers: Ensure your Surface RT has the latest drivers installed for optimal performance.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the hard reset process, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check your USB drive: Ensure the USB drive is properly formatted and bootable.
Try a different USB port: Try a different USB port on your Surface RT.
Verify your Microsoft account credentials: Make sure you have the correct login information for your Microsoft account.
Contact Microsoft support: If you’re still experiencing problems, contact Microsoft support for assistance.

The Final Word: A Fresh Start for Your Surface RT

A hard reset can be a powerful solution for various issues encountered on your Surface RT. It’s a way to refresh your device, eliminate software glitches, and prepare it for a new user. By following these steps and understanding the implications, you can confidently perform a hard reset on your Surface RT and enjoy a smooth and responsive device once again.