Resetting Windows 10 tablet to factory settings

HI K. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

For the WIfi issue, See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

If the problem repeats then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...


You may need to create bootable media to access Repair Mode to do a Reset, or if it fails again the gold standard Clean install. The bootable media doesn't require a password, has it's own drivers, repair and installation files which often work when Windows or the other Repair Mode doesn't.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Troubleshoot Options to try a Reset.

If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Greg

Thanks for your quick response.

I did try to restore to before the updates, but it asked for the password of the administrator.

I also tried to uninstall the updates, but again it asked for the administrator password 😭

I will have to get my helper monkey to do the other stuff you have suggested, as it is not my field of expertise.

I will let you know how he goes after the weekend.

Regards

K

The wifi has been disabled (not by me) and I assume this is from the updates.

Are you really going to reset your tablet to factory settings because you "assume" your problem is caused by an update?

Here's what's involved in restoring your tablet to factory settings:

• re-installing Windows
• setting up your user accounts
• configuring Windows the way you like it to be
• reinstalling software, including drivers
• setting up your software programs as you like them
• redoing your network connection
• restoring your backed up personal files
• testing everything to make sure it works properly

That sounds like a lot of work, and all because of an assumption.

But what if the loss of your WiFi had nothing to do with an update? What if it had nothing to do with Windows? You've done all that work with nothing to show for it. WiFi problems have dozens of different causes, and hardly any of them involve Windows.

And if you assume that your WiFi trouble was caused by an update, I've got news for you: Windows Update is cumulative by design, so the very update you assume caused your problem in the first place is coming right back to you in time.

Solution: Find out what is really causing your WiFi problem and solve that.

Hi Bulldog

Thanks for the info.

Yes I realise there is all that work to do, but I didn't think there was any other option.

There is very little stored on it, but I will wait for the weekend to try Gary's other suggestion.

I assumed it was the updates, because after they were applied on 11 June 2020, I could no longer connect to wifi.

Thanks for your time.

Regards

K

K, in addition to the steps I gave to get the Reset or Clean Install to run, I'll give you everything that works to fix Wifi so that at least something will work. Even if you've already tried a step please try or check it again in sequence. If you need any assistance I'll be standing by here to help:

Update your network adapter drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page using the full model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If you have the latest network driver then try on it's Driver tab also to Roll Back, or Uninstall and then restart PC to reinstall the driver. Try also all older drivers from Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick list working backwards.

Go to Device Manager > Network Adapters, select Wifi adapter, then Power Management tab, clear the check box to "Allow the computer to turn off the device to save energy." Then on the Advanced tab disable any energy-saving options.

If this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool explained here:
https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them.

If this was caused by Version update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool.

For Wifi won't connect issues after Version 1903:
https://windows101tricks.com/fix-wifi-keeps-dis...
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/wi-fi-and-...
https://pureinfotech.com/fix-wifi-problems-wind...

Enable IPv6 in the network adapter settings:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/90033-enabl...

Run the fixit from https://support.microsoft.com/help/929852 (Re-enable IPv6 on all nontunnel interfaces) and reboot.

Right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems.

Try all of these steps:

Fix network connection issues in Windows - Windows Help
https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-reset-network-...

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WIfi > Manage Known Networks, highlight and remove the network having problems, restart PC to see if it shows up again.

Try plugging in by ethernet cable to the router to compare, then plug the ethernet cable into the modem (if separate) to see if this might be an issue with the router.

Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each. You may need to reset your router or even optimize it following these steps:
https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-netwo...
https://www.pcmag.com/article/258865/how-to-set...

Your router manual is always available from the manufacturer's website for your exact model.

You also are entitled to Support from your internet provider to get online on all devices. This is always included in the monthly bill. If your router is less than a year old they will also Support getting it connected and optimized.

Another option is you could replace the wireless adapter with an inexpensive USB nano adapter like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/OURLiNK-600Mbps-Wireless...

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

You still don't know whether an update is the cause of your problem, or if so, which update (which you could uninstall.) As far as I can tell, you haven't done much investigating into the underlying cause of your problem. But you are prepared to do all kinds of work on your PC, hoping that something will succeed.

Whatever, it's your computer so you have to do what feels right in your eyes, and I have to respect that. It's not my role to persuade, only to inform.

Thanks Bulldog.

As mentioned in my post to Greg, I have tried to uninstall the updates but it needs the admin password and that is the issue here. I can't do anything without that password.

I am not an IT guru and that is why I have asked the question on this forum.  I will have to wait till the weekend to do Greg's suggestions when I have some help from an IT person.

My assumption that it was the updates stems from the updates being installed on 11 June then the wifi not working next time I turned the tablet on.  My partner's boss had the same issue on his laptop at work with recent updates.  All our other devices work fine on wifi.

Coincidence - maybe.

I do appreciate your input.

Regards

K

Hi Greg

Sorry about the delay in reporting back to you.

As I couldn't do anything without the admin password, I have done (with the help of my IT helper monkey) a clean install of Windows 10 Release 2004 from USB.  The wifi problem was immediately fixed.  My IT helper monkey was the admin for the tablet, but as he is constantly changing his password, he couldn't remember what he was using four years ago, which was about when we set up the tablet!

There was no issue with me doing a clean install, as the tablet is only used for browsing recipes and watching tutorials and the like.  If I save any documents, they are saved to OneDrive, so it was the best solution for me.

Thank you for your input in this matter.

Regards

Kay