I bought a laptop that had been used as a store display model and received about €300 off. Since bringing it home, it has been freezing and struggling to load things properly. I'm wondering whether the previous users installed something that isn't obvious in the files. The laptop runs Windows 11, and I'm not very experienced with computers. What's the safest way to wipe it and get it running properly, and is there anything else I should check first?
3 Answers
A clean reinstall may remove unwanted software, but it won’t fix hardware limitations or a defective machine. Check Settings > System > About for the processor and RAM, and look up the laptop’s exact model. A heavily discounted display unit might simply have an older, low-end processor, limited memory, or a worn storage drive. If it still freezes after a clean installation, consider returning it or having the retailer test it.
The simplest option is to use Windows 11’s built-in Reset this PC feature and choose the option to remove everything. That gives you a clean Windows installation without needing advanced tools. Back up anything you want to keep first, and make sure the laptop is plugged in during the reset.
You can also perform a completely fresh installation from a USB flash drive using Microsoft’s Windows Media Creation Tool. Before wiping the laptop, download the correct drivers from the manufacturer’s website—especially the chipset, storage, network, and graphics drivers—so you can reinstall them afterward if Windows doesn’t provide everything automatically.
I’ll check the manufacturer’s driver page and back up anything important before trying the reset.