How to Reset a Toshiba Laptop

Quickly perform a factory reset

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: August 13, 2023

Resetting your Toshiba laptop is useful in the event you want to restore your computer to its original factory settings and wipe all data. Toshiba laptops do not come with recovery disks, but you can reset your laptop any time using the recovery partition on your computer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows 8

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/52\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Resetting your computer will wipe and erase all personal data.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/56\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

”
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

” The Advanced Startup menu will display on-screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

” Your laptop will take anywhere between 15 minutes and two hours to reset. When complete, your laptop will restart and display the initial welcome screen. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Windows 7 / Windows Vista / Windows XP

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Resetting your computer will wipe and erase all personal data.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

For example, if your laptop runs on Windows 7, select “Windows 7.”
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The Toshiba Recovery Wizard will display on-screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

”
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/aid6356816-v4-728px-Reset-a-Toshiba-Laptop-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The reset process may take anywhere between 15 minutes and two hours. When complete, your laptop will restart and display the initial welcome screen.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I reformat my laptop if the screen is damaged?

Daniel Smith

Community Answer

Try projecting the screen to a TV with an HDMI cable. It may help with reformatting.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 0
Question

I have tried both of these, and neither of them work. What else can I do to factory reset my Toshiba laptop?

Hayden Sides

Community Answer

Shut down and restart the laptop by holding down the power button. Immediately and repeatedly press the F12 button until the boot menu appears. Use the arrow keys to select "HDD Recovery" and press Enter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 64 Helpful 43
Question

I forgot the password to my laptop. How do I reset it without a USB drive?

Community Answer

Follow method 3 above. It will help you to recover access.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 20

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If the recovery partition of your Toshiba laptop has been compromised due to malware or viruses, learn how to create a boot disk so you can proceed with resetting your laptop. A boot disk will help restore and recover your computer so you can properly reset your laptop to factory settings.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

[1]

Log in

How to Reset a Toshiba Laptop

Steps

Windows 8

Windows 7 / Windows Vista / Windows XP

Community Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories