How to Completely Reset Your Computer to Factory Settings

What a complete reset does and when you need one

A complete reset wipes your hard drive and reinstalls your operating system from scratch, removing all your files, programs, and settings. The computer returns to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a restart (which just reboots the machine) or a refresh (which keeps some files but removes programs).

You need a complete reset when your computer has become too slow to use, when malware has infected it deeply, when you are selling or giving it away, or when you have tried other fixes and nothing worked. A reset is also the right move if your operating system has become corrupted and won't start properly.

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. Once the reset begins, your files are gone. You will also need to reinstall every program you use — your email client, browser, antivirus software, and anything else. Plan for this to take several hours.

Key Takeaways

A complete reset erases everything on your computer and reinstalls Windows or macOS from the beginning, so back up your files first.
On Windows 10 or 11, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, which is built into the operating system and requires no external tools.
On a Mac, restart while holding Command and R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Disk Utility to erase the drive and reinstall macOS.
After the reset finishes, you will need to reinstall your programs, sign back into your accounts, and restore any files from your backup.
If your computer will not start at all, you may need to create a bootable USB drive with your operating system on another working computer first.

Resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11

Windows includes a built-in reset tool that does not require any external software or USB drive. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select it. Go to System in the left sidebar, scroll down, and click Recovery.

Under "Reset this PC", click the blue "Reset PC" button. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a complete reset. On the next screen, select "Local reinstall" if your computer starts normally, or "Cloud read" if you want Windows to read a fresh copy from Microsoft's servers. 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. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, where you sign in with your Microsoft account and choose your settings.

Resetting a Mac

On a Mac running macOS 11 or later, restart your computer and hold down Command and R when ready after you hear the startup sound. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This takes you to Recovery Mode, where you can erase the drive and reinstall macOS.

In Recovery Mode, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select your main hard drive (usually named "Macintosh HD") in the left sidebar, then click Erase at the top. Disk Utility will ask for a name and format. Leave the name as "Macintosh HD" and keep the format as APFS (or Mac OS Extended if your Mac is older). Click Erase to confirm. This step takes a few minutes.

When Disk Utility finishes, close it and return to the Recovery Mode menu. Click "Reinstall macOS" and follow the on-screen steps. Your Mac will read and install a fresh copy of macOS, which takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed. When it finishes, you will see the macOS setup screen.

If your computer will not start

If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS at all, you cannot use the built-in reset tools. Instead, you need to create a bootable USB drive on another working computer, then use that drive to reset the broken machine.

For Windows, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if your computer is older) on a working computer. read the Media Creation Tool, plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, and run the tool. It will copy Windows onto the USB drive. Then plug the USB drive into the 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 steps.

For a Mac, use another Mac to create a bootable macOS installer. Go to the App Store, search for the macOS version you want (such as Ventura or Sonoma), and read it. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities and run the command that Apple provides for creating a bootable drive. This takes 15 to 30 minutes. Then plug the USB drive into the broken Mac, restart while holding Command and R, and choose to reinstall macOS.

What to do after the reset is complete

When your computer finishes resetting and shows the setup screen, sign in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). Choose your language, keyboard layout, and privacy settings. Windows and macOS will read updates while you set up, which can take 10 to 20 minutes.

Once you are at the desktop, restore your files from your backup. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back. If you used cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, sign in and read your files. Then reinstall your programs one by one. Go to each program's website, read the installer, and run it. Sign back into your email, browser, and other accounts.

Run Windows Update (on Windows) or Software Update (on Mac) to make sure you have the latest security patches. Install antivirus software if you do not have it. Your computer is now clean and ready to use.

Backing up before you reset

The safest way to back up is to use an external hard drive. Plug it in, then on Windows go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Options > Backup Options and click "Back up now". On a Mac, open System Settings > General > Time Machine and click "Add Backup Disk", then select your external drive.

If you do not have an external drive, use cloud storage. Upload your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud. This is slower than a local backup but works if you have a good internet connection. Do not rely on cloud storage alone if you have large video files or thousands of photos, because you may hit your storage limit.

Make a list of the programs you use so you remember to reinstall them after the reset. Take a screenshot of your browser bookmarks or export them to a file. Write down any passwords you do not store in your browser, because you will need them to sign back in.

Common problems during a reset

If your computer gets stuck on a loading screen, wait at least 30 minutes before doing anything. Resets can take longer than expected, especially on older machines or if your hard drive is nearly full. If it is still stuck after an hour, force shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.

If you see an error message about not enough disk space, the reset cannot proceed. You need to free up space first. Restart normally, delete large files you do not need, and empty the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Then try the reset again.

If the reset finishes but your computer is still slow, the problem may not have been software. Check whether your hard drive is full by going to Settings > Storage (Windows) or System Settings > General > Storage (Mac). If you are using more than 85 percent of your space, delete files or move them to external storage. If the drive is not full and the computer is still slow, your hard drive may be failing and need replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes. A complete reset erases everything on your drive, including any malware. However, if the malware is on an external drive or USB stick you use regularly, it can come back. After the reset, scan any external drives with antivirus software before connecting them to your computer.

Can I undo a reset after it starts?

No. Once the reset begins erasing your drive, the data is gone. This is why backing up first is critical. If you realize you forgot to back something up, stop the reset when ready by force shutting down the computer, then back up before trying again.

Do I need my Windows or Mac password to reset?

Yes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) during the reset process. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on another computer or device before you start the reset.

How long does a complete reset take?

A complete reset usually takes 45 minutes to two hours, depending on your computer's speed and hard drive size. Older computers and larger drives take longer. Do not turn off your computer during this time, even if it seems stuck.

What if I want to keep some files but remove programs?

That is a refresh, not a complete reset. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Recovery and choose "Reset this PC" but select "Keep my files" instead of "Remove everything". On a Mac, you cannot do a partial reset through the built-in tools, but you can manually delete programs from the Applications folder and remove user accounts you do not need.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.