How to reset any Microsoft Surface via USB (Bare Metal Recovery)

[@bobgreen1540]

Microsoft has this content on their support page but you did a better job of illustrating the steps and the process. Thanks so much.

[@AldoJames]

Aww thank you!!

[@johnmares2633]

This was the most comprehensive but simple video that helped me to fix my daughter’s pc. Thank you so much.

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome!!

[@marcg.7850]

I couldn't get into recovery mode by pressing and holding volume down and power button. Rather, I used the volume up and power button to get into a area where I could change the boot sequence and selected USB and instructed it to boot immediately (note I had my recovery USB drive plugged in). From there, I got to the "blue screen" and all went perfectly from there. Anyways, many thanks to this video for getting my Surface Pro 7+ up and running again!!!

[@marcg.7850]

PS - Guess I'll turn updates off since that's supposedly what caused mine to tank!

[@AldoJames]

Yayyy! Glad it helped fix it!

[@adrianmcquiston4772]

been attempting to recover a microsoft go tablet for a couple years and this video walked me through the process in minutes thank you it sucks owning a several hundred dollar brick lol

[@AldoJames]

Really glad to hear this vid helped!

[@lynnlambert3068]

On this Surface book 2, the soft restart/reboot always came up in the UEFI screen. Had to choose "Boot Configuration" button on left. Then drag USB STORAGE option to top of list. Plug in USB drive into the Surface. Click "Exit" to restart computer. IT WORKED. I OWE YOU HUNDREDS!!! THANK YOU

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped!!

[@MorganNilsson]

I thought I'd pitch in for some additional support (As Microsoft did not cover this in their guide). For anyone who might be getting the issue. "There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made." Please make sure that in your BIOS that you have the correct settings. it should look like this: Internal Storage - (active) USB Storage - (active) PXE Network - (active) ((Advanced options)) Enable alternative boot sequence - (on) Enable IPv6 from PXE Network boot option - (on) Enable Boot from USB devices - (on) Enable Boot Configuration Lock - (OFF) = Having this on is the reason most are getting this issue, so turning this off should work Automatic power-on after power loss - (off) Also thank you @AldoJames for the very informative video!

[@AldoJames]

Thank you!

[@yungb8509]

YOU ARE A HERO!!!

[@НикитаНевретдинов]

You are the best, bro!❤🎉

[@Blackcomb6.1]

Oh my gosh. I have a Surface RT 2 that I got for Christmas and it all of a sudden just stopped working, I was so sad for weeks, and you really helped me fix my issue. Thank you sooo much!

[@AldoJames]

Ohh glad it helped!!

[@papertape7911]

Thanks!

[@AldoJames]

Welcome!!

[@juanservin1313]

This video is very accurate. The many versions of the windows surface makes it so hardf to fully reset your device. I followed carefully all the steps, and it was a succesful installation. Thank you.

[@perrypaddy647]

Wow! This video really helped out alot!! I was trying to restore my SP7 for hours until I came upon your video. Straight to the point and easy to follow. THANK YOU!!

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome!

[@danootz]

Thank you so much for this! It's been a minute since I'd done a factory reset on my Surface Pro 3, and I don't know if something changed in the recovery menu options or something, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I wasn't able to get my machine to use the USB recovery drive I'd created. But your walkthrough helped sort it all out! Successfully doing the bare metal recovery -- as opposed to relying on the cloud recovery I had done in defeat, but that made me itchy because I'd never done it and prefer the recovery drive creation and booting into it method. THANK YOU!

[@AldoJames]

It did change from Pro 3 to Pro 4 :)really glad it helped!

[@thisistheway2]

This worked for me! If you plug in the USB and the recovery isnt popping up, make sure USB is in FAT32. I had to reformat my USB for this to work.

[@AldoJames]

Yayyy thanks for the comment Olga

[@Sm5-9-6]

Hey man, how do u check if it is in fat32? (NVM found it. its in troubleshoot)

[@ivan1000aussi]

Wow! After 3 years of searching and trying everything! I have finally been able to clean my table with the help of your tutorial.

[@storungz]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this! The instructions on the Microsoft site are not clear at all. I got as far as creating the recovery drive but it wasn't clear on the copying over part. You saved me man! Cheers!

[@ericrobidoux365]

I tried so many things and you are the only one with the right solution for my Surface.. Thank you..

[@AldoJames]

You’re welcome!! Happy it helped! Which Surface do you have?

[@ericrobidoux365]

@@AldoJames Surface Pro 7

[@shaunjims887]

You are awesome, the instruction is simply by far the best one and easy to follow. Got my S4 up and running within a few hours. Thank you Sir!

[@AldoJames]

Great to hear!

[@m13anohar]

That video was very helpful as all the other videos on the net were pointing out to the same options repeatedly.

[@AldoJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bullet_echo_clips]

Worked fine for me today. Thought I’d bricked my surface go 3. Was gutted. But this video is working as of 30/11/2024

[@Sm5-9-6]

Thank you man. Seriously, my surface didnt work for 2 and a half year. Thanks to you I got it working.

[@AldoJames]

Great to hear!

[@antjaysocial]

Thank you so much! My surface pro 8 decided to get stuck in a UEFI loop and I panicked so hard. You made a daunting process manageable and now I can study for my university exams

[@AldoJames]

Awesome!! good luck!

[@lynnlambert3068]

Brilliant!!! Thank you so much. I've lost the pin for my surface so no downloading. You're a life ..uh..PC saver :-)

[@AldoJames]

Glad I could help!

[@ariarivazhagan2953]

Really helpful. To me, I'm troubling to recover my one user personal laptop OS , That Time seen your video it's work, thank you so much sir

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped!

[@rvcheevers]

Thank you very much. This was a fantastic video, easy to follow. The only issue I had was that hiding the power and volume down didn't bring me to the restart menu, I had to hold the shift key and choose restart from the power menu. That gave me the option to select the usb. Thanks again!

[@ozkflx]

Thank you for this beautiful video. Used it for two of my surface pros. You are the best!

[@СашаДубовский-б8з]

thanks very much guru. you are the only one who explained the solution in an accessible and step-by-step manner. Thank you

[@papertape7911]

yooooooo you saved my expensive surface laptop 3. I am forever grateful!

[@AldoJames]

Aww you’re welcome!!

[@runaruna4869]

Thank you for the tutorial video, really helped me reinstalling my surface pro 8. And, unless your device is bricked, you can use recovery options then advanced startup option in w11, so you don't have to press volume and power button👍

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome!

[@haithamelesawi1208]

Works perfectly, thanks. I didn’t have to use windows to format the USB, MAC and fat32 works just as good.

[@hdpapsey]

This has been very useful in getting my SB3 up and running again… Thank you 🙌🏽

[@AldoJames]

Great to hear!

[@Franky-Wright]

Thanks for the detailed step by step instructions. Was very helpful to me.

[@AldoJames]

Glad it was helpful!

[@studythebasic]

thank you for the video! it actually saved my surface pro 3 from sudden brick that can't boot from usb ! but this BMR works !

[@pacificnorthwestpilots6050]

After not having my type cover working for a week, you help bring it back...Thank you! I hope you don't mind, but the many forums I searched had people with the same unresolved issue. I will send the here.

[@AldoJames]

So happy it’s working for you now

[@emmanuelasante878]

One of the best videos on this issue on this site. Thank you so much.

[@AldoJames]

Thank you!!

[@krzysztofkubinski3939]

Well done. I had a problem with BitLocker.😡 I watch so many movies and nothing.😡 This video made my surface pro 4 and surface pro 7+ come back to life.😀😂😗👌👍💪 Thank you and greetings from Poland🙏

[@AldoJames]

Awwww you’re welcome!! Thank you for the comment :)

[@someguyoninternet641]

Wow. Thankyou Very Much. I was so scared even though I read the official sites. 🙏🏻💖

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome 😊

[@Sam-yr9gf]

This works, used it to sort out an old Asda laptop that was unusable, thanks so much

[@robinavery5081]

thank you!! this saved the day! Appreciate you taking the time to create this video.

[@AldoJames]

Yayyy, I’m happy it helped

[@anoopmenon5972]

Fantabulous video. It took some time but this worked on my Surface Pro 7

[@AldoJames]

Great to hear!

[@acidburstman]

should be featured on microsoft support page. easy to follow

[@tonyjustensen706]

Thank you for this easy to follow video. It worked perfectly for replacing the SSD on my Surface Pro 9.

[@Gee_Geez]

Thank u so much, I have no computer experience but you explained this so well and thoroughly that I got it done on my first try! Awesome job brother 👏

[@StephenBates-m3w]

Thanks Aldo just got an old Surface 3 working that I didn't have the password for. At end of process got a message about deleting preferred ?? using F12 key or use ESC. Used ESC Key that took me back to start of process. Just switched off the Surface removed usb key and restarted and all good to go. Thanks

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped you Stephen! How’s the Surface 3 running in 2023??

[@rajk9329]

Excellent. Some steps bight be different depends on your OS but most of the steps worked. thanks a lot for your help!

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped!

[@kevin929v]

I did everything step by step on my surface laptop 2, once i hit recover from a drive, i then hit "fully clean the drive". Shortly after it says "there was a problem recovering your PC". Any help?

[@rcmotivated8637]

Did u get a fix

[@kevin929v]

@@rcmotivated8637 I did not unfortunately, I’ve lost all hope so I just decided to scrap it

[@Bowensfamily83]

Are you using a usb hub by chance? I had issues until i used a ubc to usb connector. I had one from one of my samsung phones.

[@omkarjakkan7221]

Someone have solution on this

[@Mr.Hasan_]

I have the same issue Someone plz help

[@oliiver_alan]

Thank you for the video. I appreciate it!

[@BradTheRoofer]

Worked like a charm! Thank you!!!

[@atiqmufti]

Unbelievably simple and accurate. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@AldoJames]

Welcome!

[@axlgutidenia]

Gracias my friend. excelente video y mi surface volvio a la vida.

[@shaneromaine331]

Great video - thanks for creating!

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome :)

[@rayl5074]

I messed up my Surface Pro 7 and found your video very helpful. Worked like a charm! thank you!!! and subb!

[@AldoJames]

Happy it helped! How’s the pro going?

[@parinkotrasen2725]

Thank you so much for clear instruction on this you just save me time and $$. well done video

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped

[@Hobbes2099]

Please confirm if the Surface that is manually rebooted in the last third of the video ( 5:58) is running Windows 10 or Windows 11. Thanks,

[@erickmuniz2840]

Brilliant!, Nice video, working!

[@AldoJames]

Many thanks!

[@thacoolist1]

Super helpful was able to factory reset my surface pro 7+ within a few minutes

[@AldoJames]

Great to hear!

[@PhilocyberWithRichie]

Hey Aldo, thank you for your video!! I installed a full Linux OS on the drive where Windows was previously installed, wiping everything from there. Now, I get the Windows logo, but I can’t access recovery mode by pressing volume down and power. It shows the Windows logo intermittently twice, then goes to a black screen. I can’t seem to get to the recovery drive options. Do you know how I can fix this super specific issue? I feel terrible because it was a recent purchase... thanks again!

[@abdiasnoel1293]

Thank you for this video! It just saved me a great deal of trouble.

[@lynnlambert3068]

Can't get surface book 2 to do a soft reboot.....it comes up with "Surface UEFI"...back to the drawing board but I do have the USB image so THANK YOU

[@arno.vert_]

Thank you! My Surface Laptop 3 battery is draining so fast around 2-4 hours running on windows 11, so i need to do this.. thanks once again!

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome! I've also got a video on how to improve battery life on Windows 11, some of these tips might help too :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp-mnJ2Hbtihrdk

[@VarleyGGz]

Thank you. Just what I was looking for.

[@AldoJames]

You are welcome!

[@jorgebelisario6511]

Very well explained!! And worked perfectly> Thanks

[@AldoJames]

Aww thank you for the kind words!

[@Christophe38isere]

Thanks from France 👍

[@HaleGrafxTV]

Thanks so much! I was locked out of a used surface pro 7 I bought after I tried to make some changes to bios settings. I kept being asked for a bitlocker key which I didn't have.

[@AldoJames]

So glad it helped!!

[@S.C-t9d]

What can I do if the keyboard works in the UEFI but as I start recovery by a USB stick the recovery process starts but I have absolutly no chance to make an input to progress in the recovery process? The keyboard doesn't work, the mouse doesn't work, the touchscreen doesn't work..... I can't even press enter or give one single command. What can I do in this case? I can't progress in recovery so a bare metal recovery can not be done.

[@MrRaki72]

I wonder if this process can also be used to erase a UEFI with a forgotten Admin password?

[@anggoletomi6689]

I stuck on pressing holding power and volume down button, so I cannot goes into recovery mode, my surface only show windows logo and it turns to black screen again, and it keeps repeating like that. Is there any idea how to solve it?

[@oceansidepirates23]

dangg went to best buy got a thumb drive, and in no time i was back into my surface pro x thank u

[@IvanValdiviaMedina]

Thank you! Followed to the t and got the laptop out of the massive coma! 🎉

[@humbyrd]

Awesome how you explained this process. Thank you.

[@AldoJames]

Thank you!

[@brandonbullock8641]

I’ve tried every way possible even got a rebootable usb drive and nothing works.

[@ollivermoura]

Thank you! Does this revert faulty firmware updates as well? :)

[@AldoJames]

Yes it will

[@ClusterHead]

Is there anywhere else i can find the images, i need one for my surface 2, but i can't download it from microsoft i get an error on their website everytime i try, can you help with that ?

[@ourfunhousekids]

Worked perfect. Thanks.

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome!

[@ineedtohaveahandle]

It would only ask you to overwrite the files/folders if you copy it into the folder where they exist, which is the EFI/Microsoft/Boot folder. Should they files be copied to that folder, or to the root of the drive?

[@anilpradhan7964]

amazing...still valid solution today...

[@AldoJames]

Thank you

[@Hopechristensen95]

Thank you so much! Very easy & clear steps 🙏🏻💖

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped :)

[@katelyndockum4223]

After I do everything you showed, what is next? It takes me back through the same steps, over and over.

[@andrewperu4227]

I have the same problem did you fix it ?

[@redjaquino8655]

Hi this is a good step by step video. Have you got something for a Surface Laptop 1st generation. Mine keeps on saying “there was a problem resetting your PC” during recovery. Pls help

[@AldoJames]

Thanks for the feedback :) Are you using the BMR to do your recovery?

[@redjaquino8655]

@@AldoJames yeah i did try to use all the bmr files on the link but its saying either the drive too small or due to some errors it cant continue. Sooo im stuck. Bestbuy geek squad gave up on it and trying to find ways to revive it

[@clone_enolc]

Excellent... cheers mate!

[@AldoJames]

Thank you!

[@audiepineda2878]

My keyboard does not work. Could I just use the touchscreen to choose the recovery options?

[@shuangsu3089]

The best video, thank you ❤

[@AldoJames]

Glad you liked it!

[@ad1zz]

your a legend bro thank you ill like and sub

[@AldoJames]

Aww thank you!

[@henrychn]

You are awesome! You saved me man! God bless you!

[@AldoJames]

Thanks, you too!

[@Savage.735]

My son have Michaelsoft surface pro 5 but he is now longer with us and the thing have a bitlocker on drive C have not figured out how to reset it

[@build_right_once]

Thank you so much for such a useful video! It really helped me fix my surface pro 7. Thank you so much. May you be bless with many thumbs up!

[@AldoJames]

:)

[@ashchoi925]

That’s my umbrella!

[@AldoJames]

And what an umbrella!

[@WingedDragon67]

To fully do my bare metal recovery I need a recovery key which i believe is tired to an old email that has been deleted is there anyway to get around this or get access to do the recovery key as Im just stuck at the setting up page as it wants a work/school email

[@ahmedmizane9613]

Great video.Very easy.Thank you so much.👍

[@AldoJames]

Thank you!

[@aaronaguilar87]

you are a lifesaver!! very detailed instructions

[@AldoJames]

Glad it helped!

[@jorgem.carpanetti3417]

Thank you mate, all the best

[@AldoJames]

You’re welcome!!

[@lelongfactory2829]

Thank you so much! you saved me a world of hurt. it works for a bios locked surface too!

[@AldoJames]

You are welcome!

[@rthomas3]

That was so helpful! Thank you!

[@AldoJames]

You're welcome!!

[@armandoalmeida03]

Great video! My one problem is when I try to reset my surface 2 it just wont reset I even tried both volume up and down buttons separately. It just turns on or off and only showing the surface logo and "preparing automatic repair" under it then it just takes me back to the blue error screen.

[@AldoJames]

Keep holding the buttons even when things pop up and it should launch you into this mode

[@armandoalmeida03]

@@AldoJames ok I will try this thanks!

[@steph05302000]

Thanks for the video, i was able to follow along all the steps but unfortunately my computer cant seem to complete the last step of recovering the pc. It reaches a different percentage and then takes me back to the blue screen options screen from earlier. Is there any advice for this? The laptop has been fully reset so there shouldn’t be any data or OS

[@kendra2120]

Mines doing the same. "There was a problem resetting your PC. No changed were made" then back to the recovery options screen.

[@AldoJames]

When you get to the two options of “just reset this pc” or “fully clean the drive” which option do you choose?

[@ericaleonhardt2084]

I’m having the same problem. I tried both options. “Unable to recover PC” for both.

[@dannydee9919]

Thank you for thoroughly explaining the this process . I am eager to try this process however my sp7 screen is messed up and i am not able to see anything, prior to me wanting to reset I was using my tv as a monitor via HDMI. I was planning to fix screen Once I could afford to replace screen. Unfortunately, for whatever reason my sp7 won't project to my tv until windows has loaded and right know my sp7 will not get passed blue screen hence why I am wanting to reset my sp7. Do you know a work around that will enable to cast blue screen to an external monitor? Please advise..

[@intelligentservice2102]

merci, grace à vous j'ai pu sauver mon pc surface, encore merci 💯

[@AldoJames]

Welcome :)

[@pedroinfantedj]

Thank you for your help, i was able to fix my surface go 3 , thanks a lot 😊🎉

[@AldoJames]

Really happy that it helped!

[@9amela]

I can’t seem to get past the clicking file and finding the start button on my Lenovo laptop to creat my recovery drive

[@StealthxAssassin117]

Good video, will this work to clear UEFI system password? Essentially does it reset the bios?

[@AldoJames]

I don’t believe it clears the UEFI settings

[@TheKrokowilliam]

I have important university files on my surface and didn‘t quite Unterstand if the recover files process will ultimately delete all of my files, since i‘m trying to avoid that if possible.

[@AldoJames]

This way will delete your files

[@shael8470]

not working sir its showing error please help me, i only have 1 partion and its locked with bitlocker what i have to do windows re installation also not working help me

[@AldoJames]

Does you're PC boot at all? easiest way is to boot in and get that bitlocker key

[@vishnuvichu7699]

Same here 😐