Windows 10 Full Device Wipe via PowerShell

Posted on July 6, 2016 Updated on April 17, 2017

One of the new capabilities of Windows 10 is the ability to manage it like a mobile device using Configuration Service Providers.  One of those functions is the ability to perform a full wipe (restore to factory default) of the device using the RemoteWipe CSP.  While this capability can be accomplished using a MDM provider such as Microsoft Intune, you may at some point have the need to demonstrate it without a device being managed.

!!! WARNING !!! CAUTION !!! DISCLAIMER !!!
Using the script below will cause the Windows 10 system to immediately perform a reset of Windows to factory default.  No data and no applications are saved.  Use extreme caution when testing this script.  Setting it up for deployment with a tool (such as ConfigMgr) could come with extreme consequences if incidentally deployed.
!!! WARNING !!! CAUTION !!! DISCLAIMER !!!

Now that you’ve been fully warned, to demonstrate how to use the RemoteWipe and invoke the doWipeMethod, please reference the example script at https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn948434.aspx.  Also, it could be good to add a user input for a “password” to continue and it can easily be added to front of the script.  For example:

$pass = Read-Host 'Enter the password to perform a full wipe of Windows 10 to factory defaults.'

if ($pass -eq '1-2-3-4-5') {
    write-host -ForegroundColor Green 'Password accepted ... That''s amazing. I''ve got the same combination on my luggage!!' }
else {
    write-host -ForegroundColor Red 'Wrong password, terminating script'
    exit
}