What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your hard drive and reinstalls the operating system that came with your computer — Windows, macOS, or Linux — as if it were brand new from the manufacturer. Everything you installed, every file you saved, and every setting you changed gets deleted. The computer returns to the state it was in when it left the factory.

You might need a factory reset if your computer has become so slow or unstable that normal troubleshooting does not help, if malware has infected it deeply, if you are selling or giving away the machine, or if you want to start fresh after years of accumulation. It is also the nuclear option when a major update fails or corrupts your system.

Before you start, understand that this is permanent and irreversible. Back up every file you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage. Once you begin the reset, those files are gone.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset deletes everything on your computer and reinstalls the original operating system, so back up all your files first.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Macs use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • You will need your Windows product key or Apple ID password to complete the reset and reactivate your system.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer speed and internet connection.
  • If your computer will not start, you may need to create a bootable recovery drive on another machine before you can reset it.

Factory reset on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app. Navigate to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. You will see a button labeled "Reset this PC" — click it.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset. The system will then ask whether you want to remove files and clean the drive, or just remove files. Cleaning the drive takes longer but is more find if you are selling the computer, because it overwrites the deleted data so it cannot be recovered.

Windows will read the latest version of your operating system and begin the reset. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off during this process. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, and you can sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account.

You will need your Windows product key to reactivate Windows after the reset. If you bought the computer with Windows pre-installed, the key is usually tied to your hardware and will reactivate automatically. If you purchased Windows separately, you will need to enter the key manually.

Factory reset on macOS

On newer Macs with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, M3), open System Settings and click General in the sidebar. Scroll down to find "Transfer or Reset," then click the Reset button. Choose "Erase All Content and Settings." You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID — this is required to complete the reset.

On older Intel-based Macs, restart your computer and hold Command + R as it boots to enter Recovery Mode. Once in Recovery Mode, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu, select your hard drive, and click Erase. Choose APFS as the format (or Mac OS Extended if your drive is older). After erasing, quit Disk Utility and select "Reinstall macOS" from the Utilities menu.

The reset will take 30 minutes to an hour depending on your Mac's speed. When it finishes, you will see the macOS setup screen. Sign in with your Apple ID to restore your system settings and reactivate your Mac.

Creating a recovery drive 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 recovery drive on another working computer, then use it to reset the broken machine.

For Windows, read the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (or Windows 10 Media Creation Tool if your computer is older) from Microsoft's website onto a working computer. Insert a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, run the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable drive. Then insert that drive into the broken computer, restart it, and press F12 or Delete during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and follow the Windows setup to reset your system.

For Mac, use another Mac to create a bootable macOS installer. read macOS from the App Store, insert a USB drive with at least 16 GB of space, and use the Terminal command sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/[USB\ Drive\ Name] (replacing the bracketed sections with your macOS version and drive name). Then boot the broken Mac from that drive by holding the Option key during startup, select the USB drive, and reinstall macOS.

What happens after the reset is complete

Once the reset finishes and you sign in, your computer will be empty except for the operating system and pre-installed software. You will need to reinstall any programs you use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Photoshop, whatever you had before. Your files are gone unless you backed them up.

Windows and macOS will check for updates when ready after the reset. Let these updates install completely before you start using the computer heavily. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many updates are available and your internet speed.

If you are selling or giving away the computer, shut it down after the reset is complete. The new owner will see the setup screen when they turn it on and can create their own account. Do not sign in with your own account after the reset, because that ties the computer to your credentials.

When to call a professional instead

If your computer will not start and you cannot create a recovery drive because you do not have access to another working computer, a local computer repair shop can do the reset for you. This usually costs between $50 and $150 depending on the shop and your location.

If your hard drive is making clicking or grinding noises, or if the computer overheats and shuts down during the reset attempt, the hardware itself may be failing. A factory reset will not fix a failing hard drive, and attempting one might make the damage worse. Stop and take the computer to a repair technician.

If you forgot your Windows password or Apple ID password and cannot sign in, you will need to recover or reset that password before you can complete a factory reset. This is a separate process from the factory reset itself and may require proof of identity or access to a recovery email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a factory reset removes all malware because it deletes everything on the drive and reinstalls a clean operating system. However, if malware is on an external drive or USB device you connect afterward, it can reinfect your computer. Scan any external drives with antivirus software before connecting them to your reset computer.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

You should not stop it once it begins, because interrupting the process can leave your system in an unusable state. If you change your mind before the reset starts, close the reset tool and your computer will be unaffected. If the reset is already running, let it finish.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset typically takes 30 minutes to two hours on a modern computer with a solid-state drive. Older computers with traditional hard drives can take three to four hours. The time depends on your drive speed, internet connection, and how many updates need to read.

Do I need my product key before I start the reset?

For Windows, have your product key available before you start, though many systems will reactivate automatically if Windows was pre-installed on your computer. For Mac, you will need your Apple ID and password. If you do not have these, you may not be able to complete the reset.

What if I only want to reset Windows but keep my files?

Windows offers a "Keep my files" option in the Reset this PC tool. This reinstalls Windows while preserving your personal files, though it removes all installed programs. You will need to reinstall any software you use after the reset completes.