Reset Asus ZenBook laptop

This page describes how to reset the Asus ZenBook to a clean state.

The default configuration provided by Asus is full of non-useful software, trials and non-required stuff. I advised you to clean your laptop by re-installing a proper windows from scratch. By following this guide all the default programs and data will be wiped out! In other words: you will only have the Operation System - as Microsoft delivers it.

(i) Everything below has been tested on an Asus ZenBook UX510U

Requirements

Before reseting the PC you must first power it on and use it to:

1. register hardware and software
2. download ISOs and tools

As you result you must connect your PC to Internet first before being able to reset it.

Registration

Hardware registration

Register laptop for warranty

• Asus online registration: http://vip.asus.com/onlineregister

Software registration

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

To check activation status in Windows 10

• select the Start button
• select Settings > Update & security > Activation

If Windows 10 isn’t activated on your device, see Get help with Windows 10 activation errors for more info.

Get Windows 10 installation USB drive

Download Windows 10 ISO

Get your windows version and key

The key is not displayed in Windows. You must use a 3rd party tool to retrieve it. I recommend ShowKeyPlus

• Download ShowKeyPlus latest release
• Run it
• Note all information

Download Windows ISO

• Download the [1] Microsoft Windows 10 download tool]
• Select create installation media for another PC
• Download the ISO file

Setup bootable key

Prepare bootable key

• Download the utility to create a USB bootable key RUFUS
• Launch RUFUS
• Create a new bootable disk using the following parameters
• Partition scheme: GTP partition scheme for UEFI
  • File system: FAT32
  • Select the ISO file
  • Click start ... and wait

BIOS configuration for USB drive boot

By default you're not allowed to boot on USB drive. To overcome that problem you must adjust some settings in you BIOS.

BIOS access

To access BIOS: press F2 and keep it press on boot until you see the BIOS.

BIOS configuration

1. Set administrator password

• You must set an administrator password (mandatory)
• You have to save & exit then come again to the BIOS later...

2. Disable security

• Go the Advanced mode (F7)
• Security Settings
  • Set Secure boot control to Disabled
• Boot Settings
  • Set Fast boot to Disabled
  • Set CSM support to Enabled ==> the screen should change upon activation
• You have to save & exit then come again to the BIOS later...

3. Choose boot device

• At last you can select a boot device from the BIOS. The USB drive should appear.

Prepare for dual boot with Linux

Shrink windows partition

How to split the drive?

• If you can it is best to split 50% windows / 50% linux
• However... on 128 Gb SSD = max 45 to 50 Gb for Linux

Source: http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2015/11/how-to-shrink-windows-10-to-make-space.html

• Run Control Panel > System & security > Administrative tools > Computer management
• On the left, go to Storage > Disk management
• Select the SSD drive
• Select your windows partition > Right click > Shrink Volume
• You need to remove 45Gb to 50 Gb [Linux + 8Gb Swap]
  • 45 Gb = 45 * 1024 = 46080 Mb
  • 50 Gb = 50 * 1024 = 51200 Mb

Download *Ubuntu ISO

Go to Ubuntu website and download the ISO you'd like to use.

I'm using Xubuntu

Windows re-installation

Partition setup

Re-install windows on big SSD partition (min 70 Gb).

!! In case of issues please read the next chapter !!

(i) For dual-boot you can create partitions for Linux during the installation. Create a least 2: one of 8Gb (SWAP) + another

Fixing GPT issue

If you have the following error: windows cannot be installed to this disk. the selected disk is of the gpt partition style

• You need to open a terminal during installation: Shift + F10
• Launch diskpart
• Type list disk
• Select the SSD disk number select disk 1
• Type clean
• Type convert gpt
• Type exit

Source: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/commercialize/manufacture/desktop/windows-setup-installing-using-the-mbr-or-gpt-partition-style

Format other drive in NTFS (should be the default)

Install Linux on other SSD partition