[SOLVED] Resetting PC questions

[aaasadada]

Hello! So my pc has been resetting for the past 33 or so hours but I had not had it connected to WiFi. Is this an issue? Also, it seems to me that it has been stuck at 99% for the majority of the time, but it still won't fully reset. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas that could possible help me get this PC to finish resetting? Thank you!

 

[Colif]

33 hours is way too long for a reset. Was this a full reset or keep files?
what are details of the PC? HDD or SSD?

If full, you would have been faster running a clean install as resets can break... even if not full. it still sounds like yours is stuck.

On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

if it was a full reset, just clean install. Way faster, even on hdd - boot from installer
follow this guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

if not full, we can try to rescue info off HDD and then clean install
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose command prompt
type notepad and press enter
in notepad, select file>open
Use file explorer to copy any files you need to save to USB or hdd

once you copied everything you want to save, follow the clean install link above.

 

[aldan]

i think your problem is that it is not connected to the internet.

 

[Colif]

all it does at end is tries to get updates. it shouldn't sit there waiting for a non existent WIFI connection for 33 hours.

Is there any sign of life on the hdd activity lights?

 

[USAFRet]

i think your problem is that it is not connected to the internet.

Lack of a connection is not the problem.

 

[aaasadada]

33 hours is way too long for a reset. Was this a full reset or keep files?
what are details of the PC? HDD or SSD?

If full, you would have been faster running a clean install as resets can break... even if not full. it still sounds like yours is stuck.

On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

if it was a full reset, just clean install. Way faster, even on hdd - boot from installer
follow this guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

if not full, we can try to rescue info off HDD and then clean install
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose command prompt
type notepad and press enter
in notepad, select file>open
Use file explorer to copy any files you need to save to USB or hdd

once you copied everything you want to save, follow the clean install link above.

It was a full reset, but how do I get out of the 99% resetting screen?

 

[USAFRet]

It was a full reset, but how do I get out of the 99% resetting screen?

What was the reason for the "reset"?

 

[aaasadada]

What was the reason for the "reset"?

I needed to reset my old pc and clear out all of the files and games so I could let another family member use it.

 

[USAFRet]

I needed to reset my old pc and clear out all of the files and games so I could let another family member use it.

So start over with a full clean install.

Force the power off, boot from a Win 10 USB, full wipe and reinstall.
This will either work, or assist in finding what is wrong.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[aaasadada]

all it does at end is tries to get updates. it shouldn't sit there waiting for a non existent WIFI connection for 33 hours.

Is there any sign of life on the hdd activity lights?

I am not too sure but there is this sign that is flashing orange that isn't my power button. Apologies for the vagueness.

 

[aaasadada]

33 hours is way too long for a reset. Was this a full reset or keep files?
what are details of the PC? HDD or SSD?

If full, you would have been faster running a clean install as resets can break... even if not full. it still sounds like yours is stuck.

On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

if it was a full reset, just clean install. Way faster, even on hdd - boot from installer
follow this guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

if not full, we can try to rescue info off HDD and then clean install
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose command prompt
type notepad and press enter
in notepad, select file>open
Use file explorer to copy any files you need to save to USB or hdd

once you copied everything you want to save, follow the clean install link above.

I also do not have a Windows product key, will this be okay? Or will I lose windows?

 

[USAFRet]

I also do not have a Windows product key, will this be okay? Or will I lose windows?

Skip entering the license key during the install.
It will activate itself when it goes online later.

 

[aaasadada]

What was the reason for the "reset"?

To clear out files and games and clean the hdd.

 

[aaasadada]

Update: I have started the installation and it automatically went to Installing Windows % page (Don't turn off your pc, there might be several restarts)

 

[Colif]

did it work? did install finish?

If it got stuck again, its possible you need to wipe the hdd as windows might be stuck in the reset process.

 

[aaasadada]

I think it worked! It just reinstalled Windows and everything seems to be running smoothly now. Thank you everyone! Have a great day!