What a factory reset does and when to use it

A factory reset wipes your computer back to the state it left the factory — all your files, programs, and settings are erased, and the operating system is reinstalled fresh. This is different from restarting your computer, which straightforward turns it off and back on. A factory reset is useful when your computer runs slowly, has persistent virus or malware problems, you are selling or giving away the machine, or you want to start completely fresh.

Before you begin, understand that a factory reset is permanent. Every photo, document, email, and installed program will be gone unless you back them up first. The process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data is being erased.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset erases everything on your computer.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • You will need your Windows product key or Apple ID password to complete the reset, so have those ready before you begin.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours and your computer will restart multiple times — do not unplug it or interrupt the process.
  • After the reset finishes, your computer will restart and ask you to set up Windows or macOS as if it were brand new.

Back up your files before you start

The first step is to save everything you want to keep. Connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to your computer, then copy your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to that drive. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, make sure your important files have synced to the cloud — you can check this by opening the app and confirming the upload is complete.

If you have programs you paid for, write down the product keys or license information before you reset. Many software companies let you read your programs again using your account, but having the key on hand makes reinstalling faster. For email accounts, note your username, password, and the server settings (IMAP or POP3) if you use a desktop email program — you will need this to set up email again after the reset.

Factory reset on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, scroll down, and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC," click the blue "Reset PC" button.

Windows will ask whether you want to "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset. If you choose "Keep my files," Windows will erase programs and settings but leave your personal documents — this is faster but does not clean out malware as thoroughly. Next, Windows asks whether to reinstall from the cloud or use local files. "Cloud read" is slower but more reliable; "Local reinstall" is faster if your internet is slow.

Windows will show you a summary of what will happen, then ask you to confirm. Click "Reset" to begin. Your computer will restart several times during this process — this is normal. Do not turn off your computer or unplug it. The entire process usually takes 45 minutes to two hours.

Factory reset on Mac

On a Mac running macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset." Click "Erase All Content and Settings." Mac will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will ask for your Apple ID password — enter it and click "Continue."

Your Mac will restart and begin erasing. You will see a progress bar. This process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data is on your Mac. When it finishes, your Mac will restart and show the setup screen, just as if it were brand new out of the box. Do not interrupt this process by closing the lid or unplugging the power.

If you have an older Mac running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or earlier, the process is different. Go to System Preferences > Erase and Reinstall, or use Recovery Mode by restarting and holding Command + R, then use Disk Utility to erase the drive and reinstall macOS from the recovery menu. If you are unsure which macOS version you have, click the Apple menu and select "About This Mac."

What to do if your computer will not start

If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS normally, you can still factory reset it using recovery mode. On Windows, restart your computer and hold the F8 or F11 key (the exact key varies by manufacturer — try both) as it starts up. This opens the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select "Repair your computer" or "Troubleshoot," then choose "Reset this PC." Follow the same steps as a normal reset.

On a Mac, restart and hold Command + R when ready after you hear the startup sound. This boots into Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Terminal, and type the command to erase and reinstall. If you are not comfortable with the command line, you can also use Disk Utility from the Utilities menu to erase the drive, then reinstall macOS from the App Store.

Set up your computer after the reset

When the reset finishes, your computer will ask you to set up Windows or macOS as if it were new. You will create a user account, set a password, choose privacy settings, and connect to Wi-Fi. This setup usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Take your time and read each screen — you can change most of these settings later if you want.

After setup is complete, reinstall your programs and restore your files from your backup. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back to your Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders. If you used cloud storage, sign into your account and read the files you need. Reinstall your programs from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (Mac), or read them from the software maker's website.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not unplug your computer or close the lid during a reset — this can corrupt the operating system and make your computer unbootable. If the reset seems to be taking longer than expected, wait at least two hours before assuming something went wrong. Do not restart your computer manually by holding the power button unless the reset appears completely frozen and has not shown any progress for over an hour.

Do not forget your Windows product key or Apple ID password before you start — you will need them to complete the setup after the reset. If you have forgotten your password, reset it on Microsoft.com or Apple.com before you begin the factory reset. Finally, do not assume a factory reset will remove all traces of your data if you plan to sell the computer — for maximum security, use a tool like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) on Windows or find Empty Trash on Mac to overwrite the erased space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 45 minutes to two hours on Windows and 15 to 45 minutes on a Mac, depending on how much data is on your computer and how fast your hard drive is. The process involves multiple restarts, which is normal. Do not interrupt it.

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it erases everything and reinstalls the operating system fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in firmware or the BIOS. For maximum security, back up only your documents and photos, not program files, and scan your backup on another computer before restoring it.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No, a factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. This is why backing up your files before you start is critical. If you accidentally reset your computer, you may be able to recover some files using data recovery software, but this is not may provide and can be expensive.

Do I need the Windows installation disc or USB to factory reset?

No, modern versions of Windows can reset using files already on your computer or by downloading them from Microsoft during the reset process. You only need the installation disc or USB if your computer will not start normally and you need to use recovery mode.

What if I forgot my password before resetting?

Reset your password on Microsoft.com (for Windows) or Apple.com (for Mac) before you start the factory reset. You will need this password to complete the setup after the reset finishes. If you cannot access these websites, you may need to use another computer or contact Microsoft or Apple support.