What "Reset Settings" Means on a Micro Computer
On a compact "micro" computer — a mini PC, thin client or industrial PC — "resetting settings" can mean one of three different things, and the right procedure depends on what you actually want to undo. The first is a Windows settings reset, which restores the operating system configuration (accounts, apps, drivers, network profiles) without touching the hardware. The second is a BIOS/UEFI reset, which clears firmware-level settings such as boot order, power-on behaviour, wake-on-LAN, watchdog timers and serial port configuration. The third is a factory image restore, where the machine is returned to the exact software state it shipped in, including OS, drivers and embedded applications. Identifying which layer is misbehaving saves a lot of time — a wrong boot device is a firmware issue, while a corrupted user profile is an OS issue.
Reset Options at a Glance
| Reset Type | What It Clears | How To Trigger | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings reset (keep files) | Apps, drivers, registry, accounts | Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC | Slow or unstable OS, misconfigured software |
| Windows Settings reset (remove everything) | Everything on the OS drive | Same menu, choose "Remove everything" | Redeploying a machine to a new user |
| BIOS/UEFI reset | Boot order, power settings, port config | BIOS menu "Load Setup Defaults" or CMOS clear jumper | Machine no longer boots, watchdog misconfigured |
| Factory image restore | Everything, back to shipping state | Recovery partition, USB recovery stick | Fleet redeployment, kiosk rollback |
| In-app/firmware reset | Application or controller settings | Vendor tool or config utility | Digital signage, POS, HMI panels |
Resetting Windows Settings Step by Step
For a Windows-based mini PC or all-in-one, open Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files to remove applications and settings while preserving documents, or Remove everything for a clean slate. If the machine will not boot far enough to reach Settings, hold Shift while clicking Restart from the login screen, or power-cycle three times during boot to enter the Windows Recovery Environment, then select Troubleshoot → Reset this PC. Note that a "Remove everything" reset deletes OEM drivers; on industrial systems with custom serial, GPIO or dual-E
