I have a laptop that i am selling and I want to completely reset it to its original settings, as if it were new. How do I do that?

Answer:
0) Take out all the extra H/W that your computer did not come with, Printers, USB peripherals, etc.

1) Format & recover the system. To format, either use the windows CD that came with the personal (boot with the CD in the drive, it should be picked up by default) or when booting when you see your computer logo, begin tapping F10 This should take you to a recovery menu. If you have updated your system regularly & have the latest Service Packs, you may get a message ike the version of windows on the system is newer than what you’re trying to install. Go ahead & install anyways.

2) Install a good AV BEFORE you plug internet in.

3) Update AV the FIRST thing when you go on the web.

4) Enable windows Updates so that your personal has all the available patches. In fact I'd state after updating AV, go to windowsupdates.Microsoft.com & get ALL the updates.

5) Now get a good Firewall if you have a always on internet connection.

6) Get some good Anti Spyware/Malware too, Spybot “Search & Destroy” & “Ad-Aware” are what I use, they’re good & they come free. Also get something like McAfee's Siteadvisor, which warns you which sites are known sites for sending spyware/malware/spammers.

Answer:
put your windows disc in format and reinstall windows

or

put yourrecovery disc in

Answer:
with the restore cd that came with it