What a reset does and when you need one

A reset wipes your Surface tablet back to the state it left the factory—all your files, apps, and settings are removed. Use a reset when your tablet is running slowly, freezing often, or behaving erratically after installing software. A reset also prepares a tablet for sale or handoff to someone else.

Microsoft calls this a factory reset or fresh start, depending on which method you use. The difference matters: a fresh start removes your personal files but keeps Windows and Microsoft apps, while a full factory reset removes everything. Both take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your tablet's storage and internet speed.

Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Once the reset finishes, those files are gone. If you use OneDrive, your cloud files stay safe—but local files on the tablet itself will not.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all files, apps, and settings; a fresh start keeps Windows and Microsoft apps but removes your personal data.
  • Back up your files to OneDrive, an external drive, or a cloud service before you start the reset process.
  • You can reset from Settings without any special tools or passwords, though you will need your Microsoft account password afterward.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to an hour and requires a stable internet connection for downloading Windows files.
  • If your tablet will not start or reach Settings, you can reset it using the physical buttons and a recovery drive on a USB stick.

Reset from Settings (the standard method)

This is the easiest path if your Surface tablet starts normally and you can reach the Settings app. Open Settings, then go to System > Recovery. You will see two options: Reset this PC and Go back (if you recently upgraded Windows). Click Reset this PC.

The system will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything for a full factory reset. Next, you will choose between Cloud read and Local reinstall. Cloud read fetches a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers—use this if your tablet is running slowly or you suspect corrupted files. Local reinstall uses the recovery files already on your tablet—use this if your internet is slow or unreliable.

The tablet will restart and begin the reset. You will see a progress bar and a percentage counter. Do not unplug the tablet or close the lid during this time. When it finishes, the tablet will restart again and ask you to set up Windows as if it were new. Sign in with your Microsoft account, choose your privacy settings, and you are done.

Use a fresh start if you want to keep Windows

A fresh start removes your apps and personal files but leaves Windows and built-in Microsoft apps (Edge, Mail, Calendar, and others) in place. This is faster than a full reset and useful if you want a clean slate without reinstalling Windows from scratch.

Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Reset this PC. When asked what to remove, choose Keep my files. The system will remove third-party apps you installed but preserve your Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders. Note that this keeps your local files—they are not deleted, just separated from the rest of the system. You can access them after the reset finishes.

Reset using the physical buttons (if the tablet will not start)

If your Surface tablet will not power on or reach the login screen, you can force a reset using the power and volume buttons. The exact button combination depends on your Surface model, but the most common is: hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Surface logo. Release both buttons.

The tablet will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment. You will see a blue screen with options. Select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, then Remove everything. Choose Cloud read if possible. The reset will proceed as described above.

If the button combination does not work for your model, check the label on the back of your tablet or search for "[Your Surface Model] hard reset" to find the correct sequence. Some older models use different combinations.

Create a recovery drive before you reset (optional but recommended)

If you reset often or want a backup plan, you can create a recovery drive on a USB stick. This lets you reset your tablet even if Windows will not start and the button method fails.

On a working Surface tablet, plug in a USB stick with at least 8 GB of space. Open Settings > System > Recovery and click Create a recovery drive. Follow the prompts to select your USB stick and read the recovery files. This takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Once finished, label the stick and store it somewhere safe.

If you ever need to use it, plug the recovery drive into your Surface tablet, restart the tablet, and hold the volume down button while it powers on. The tablet will boot from the USB stick and show the Windows Recovery Environment, where you can reset as described above.

What to do after the reset is complete

After your tablet restarts and finishes setup, you will have a clean Windows installation. Sign in with your Microsoft account. Windows will begin downloading and installing updates—this can take 30 minutes or more depending on how many updates are available. Let it finish before you do anything else.

If you backed up files to OneDrive, sign into OneDrive and read them back to your tablet. If you backed up to an external drive or cloud service, connect or log in and restore your files. Reinstall any apps you use regularly from the Microsoft Store or the web.

Your tablet should now run as it did when new. If you still see slowness or freezing after the reset, the problem may be hardware-related—contact Microsoft Support or visit a service center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my Microsoft account or passwords?

No. Your Microsoft account itself is not stored on the tablet—it lives on Microsoft's servers. After the reset, you sign back in with the same email and password. Passwords you saved in Edge or other apps will be gone, but you can recover them from your Microsoft account settings or the services themselves.

Can I reset my Surface if I forgot my password?

Yes. Use the physical button method (power and volume down) to boot into Windows Recovery Environment without logging in. From there, you can reset the tablet. After the reset finishes, you will set up Windows fresh and create a new password.

How long does a reset actually take?

The reset itself takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your tablet's storage and internet speed. After that, Windows updates can take another 30 minutes or more. Plan for at least an hour total, and do not interrupt the process by unplugging or restarting the tablet.

What is the difference between cloud read and local reinstall?

Cloud read fetches a fresh copy of Windows from the internet—use this if your tablet has corrupted files or is running slowly. Local reinstall uses recovery files already stored on your tablet—use this if your internet is slow or unreliable. Both produce the same end result; cloud read is usually safer.

Do I need to back up my files before I reset?

Yes, unless you do not care about losing them. A reset erases everything on the tablet. If you use OneDrive and your files are synced there, they are safe. If you have files only on the tablet itself, copy them to an external drive, email them to yourself, or upload them to a cloud service before you start.