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How to Factory Reset a Lenovo Using OneKey Recovery

Intermediate Lenovo Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11

A recovery environment built into the machine, independent of Windows — useful when Windows itself won't start.

Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
  1. Back up anything you can reach first if at all possible — a factory reset through OneKey Recovery removes personal files and installed programs, and this can't be undone once started.
  2. If Windows still starts normally, prefer Windows' own Reset this PC first (Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC) — it's simpler and gives you the option to keep your files, which OneKey Recovery's factory reset does not.
  3. If Windows starts and you specifically want Lenovo's tool anyway, search "OneKey Recovery" in the Start menu to launch it directly from within Windows.
  4. If Windows won't start, use the small physical Novo button instead — a tiny recessed button near the power button, sometimes needing a pin or paperclip to press — which opens a menu with a System Recovery option independent of the keyboard entirely.
  5. Follow the prompts through OneKey Recovery to restore the machine to its original factory state, reinstalling Windows and Lenovo's original factory software from the recovery partition.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in Lenovo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OneKey Recovery work the same way on all Lenovo lines?
The core functionality is consistent across ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and Yoga lines, though the exact way you access it (Novo button vs. searching for it in Windows) can vary by model.
Will I lose my Windows product key during a factory reset?
No — on a genuine, activated Windows installation, the digital license is tied to your hardware and Microsoft account, so it reactivates automatically after the reset completes and you sign back in.

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