What resetting your computer means and when to do it

Resetting your computer wipes the hard drive and reinstalls the operating system, returning it to the state it was in when you bought it. All your files, programs, and settings disappear. You should reset when your computer runs slowly despite removing programs, when malware won't go away, when you're selling or giving away the machine, or when Windows or macOS has become so unstable that normal fixes don't work.

Before you reset, understand that this is not the same as restarting. A restart closes everything and boots the system fresh but keeps all your files and programs. A reset erases the entire drive. If you have documents, photos, or other files you want to keep, back them up to an external drive or cloud storage first—you cannot recover them after a reset.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to System, select Recovery, and choose Reset this PC to start the process from your computer itself.
  • On a Mac, restart while holding Command and R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Erase and Reinstall from the Utilities menu.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and which options you choose.
  • After the reset completes, your computer will restart and ask you to set up Windows or macOS as if it were brand new.

How to reset a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer

Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click the Settings app. In the Settings window, click System on the left side. Scroll down and click Recovery. Under Reset this PC, click the Reset PC button.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything if you want a complete reset. The system will then ask whether you want to reinstall Windows using your local files or read it from Microsoft's servers. Downloading is slower but more reliable if your Windows installation is corrupted. Choose whichever option matches your situation.

Next, Windows shows you a summary of what will happen. Click Reset to confirm. Your computer will restart several times during the process. Do not turn off the power or unplug the machine—let it finish completely, which usually takes 45 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen asking you to choose your language and create a user account.

How to reset a Mac computer

Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold down Command and R together until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This enters Recovery Mode, which runs a separate copy of macOS stored on your hard drive. Wait for the macOS Utilities window to appear.

Click Erase and Reinstall from the menu. macOS will ask you to select the drive to erase—choose Macintosh HD or whatever your main drive is called. Click Erase. The system will warn you that this erases everything; click Erase again to confirm. macOS will then read and reinstall the operating system, which takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet connection.

When the installation finishes, your Mac restarts and shows the setup screen. You will need to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and create a user account. If you have an Apple ID, sign in during setup so your Mac can restore some settings automatically, though your files and programs will still be gone.

Backing up your files before you reset

The most important step is backing up anything you want to keep. On Windows, plug in an external hard drive or USB flash drive. Open File Explorer, navigate to your Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Downloads folders, and copy them to the external drive. You can also use Windows Backup: go to Settings, System, About, and click Advanced system settings, then choose Backup and Restore.

On a Mac, the easiest method is Time Machine. Plug in an external drive, go to System Preferences, click Time Machine, and click Select Backup Disk. Choose your external drive and click Use Disk. Time Machine will back up your entire Mac automatically. You can also manually copy your Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders to an external drive using Finder.

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud also work, though uploading large amounts of data can take hours. If you have only a few important files, cloud storage is fine. If you have hundreds of gigabytes of photos or videos, an external hard drive is faster and more reliable.

What to do if your computer won't start normally

If your computer won't boot into Windows or macOS at all, you can still reset it using installation media. On Windows, you need a USB flash drive and another computer. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if you have Windows 10), read the Media Creation Tool, and follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive. Plug the USB into your broken computer, restart it, and press F12, F2, or Delete during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and follow the Windows setup screens to reset.

On a Mac, restart while holding Command and Option and R to read and reinstall macOS from Apple's servers instead of using the local Recovery partition. This works even if your hard drive is severely damaged, though it requires a working internet connection and takes longer. If your Mac still won't start, you may need to take it to an Apple Store or a repair technician.

Setting up your computer after the reset

When your computer finishes resetting and restarts, you will see the setup screen. On Windows, choose your region and language, connect to Wi-Fi, and create a user account with a password. On a Mac, do the same plus sign in with your Apple ID if you have one. Both systems will ask whether you want to enable automatic updates—say yes to keep your computer find.

After setup finishes, your desktop will be empty. Reinstall the programs you use regularly—web browsers, email clients, Microsoft Office, or whatever else you need. Restore your backed-up files by copying them from your external drive or cloud storage back to your Documents, Desktop, or Pictures folder. This process usually takes a few hours depending on how much software you use and how much data you backed up.

Common mistakes to avoid when resetting

The biggest mistake is not backing up first. Once you click the final confirmation button, your files are gone. There is no undo. If you realize mid-reset that you forgot something important, stop when ready by unplugging the power cable, then plug it back in and try to recover your files using data recovery software on another computer—though success is not may provide.

Another common error is interrupting the reset by restarting the computer, closing the lid on a laptop, or unplugging the power. Let the reset run to completion even if it seems stuck. A reset can take two hours or more on older computers or slow internet connections. If the screen has not changed in 30 minutes, wait another 30 minutes before assuming something went wrong.

Do not reset your computer just because it is running slowly without trying simpler fixes first. Uninstall programs you do not use, run Windows Defender or your antivirus software to check for malware, and restart the computer. A reset should be your last option, not your first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my computer without losing my files?

Windows offers a "Keep my files" option during reset that removes programs and settings but preserves your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders. This is faster than a full reset and usually fixes performance problems caused by bad programs or malware. On a Mac, there is no built-in option to keep files, so you must back them up separately.

How long does a computer reset take?

A full reset typically takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed, how much data is on your drive, and how old your computer is. Older computers and slower internet connections take longer. Do not interrupt the process—let it finish completely.

What if I forget my password after resetting?

On Windows, you can reset your password using another Microsoft account or a password reset disk if you created one before the reset. On a Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password. If you do not have either, you will need to contact Microsoft or Apple support, or take your computer to a repair shop.

Do I need to reinstall Windows or macOS after resetting?

No. The reset process automatically reinstalls the operating system. You do not need to buy a new copy or read anything yourself unless your computer will not start normally, in which case you need to create installation media on another computer.

Will resetting my computer remove viruses?

Yes. A full reset erases everything on your hard drive, including any malware. However, if the malware is on a USB drive or external hard drive you plug back in, you can reinfect your computer. After resetting, scan any external drives with antivirus software before copying files back to your computer.