What a hard reset does and when you need one

A hard reset wipes your computer completely and restores it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This means all your files, programs, and settings disappear. The operating system itself gets reinstalled fresh. You should only do this when your computer is so slow or broken that normal fixes do not work, or when you are selling or giving away the machine and want to erase everything on it.

A hard reset is different from a restart. Restarting just turns the computer off and back on. A hard reset erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows or macOS from scratch. Once you start the process, you cannot stop it halfway through without breaking your computer, so make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because a hard reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • On Windows 10 or 11, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, which is the safest method for most people.
  • On a Mac, restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Disk Utility to erase the drive and reinstall macOS.
  • A hard reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and how old your computer is.
  • After the reset finishes, you will need to set up Windows or macOS again from scratch, including creating a user account and connecting to Wi-Fi.

How to hard reset a Windows 10 or 11 computer

The built-in reset tool in Windows is the easiest method for most people. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System on the left side, 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 true hard reset. Next, it will ask whether you want to reinstall Windows using your local files or read it from Microsoft. If your computer is working well enough to read, choose "Cloud read" — it is faster and more reliable. If your computer is very slow or broken, choose "Local reinstall," which uses files already on your drive.

Windows will show you a summary of what it is about to do. Click "Reset" to start. Your computer will restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or unplug it. The whole process usually takes 45 minutes to two hours. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, where you create a new user account and connect to Wi-Fi.

How to hard reset a Mac

On a Mac, you use Recovery Mode to erase the drive and reinstall macOS. Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold down Command + R. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This takes you into Recovery Mode, which is a special version of macOS that runs from your internet connection.

Once you are in Recovery Mode, click Disk Utility from the menu. On the left side, click your main drive (usually called "Macintosh HD"). Click the Erase button at the top. Disk Utility will ask you to name the drive — you can leave it as "Macintosh HD" or give it a new name. Make sure the format is set to APFS (the modern format for newer Macs) or Mac OS Extended (for older Macs). Click Erase and wait for it to finish, which takes a few minutes.

After the drive is erased, close Disk Utility and you will return to the Recovery Mode menu. Click "Reinstall macOS" and follow the prompts. Your Mac will read and install the operating system, which can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed. When it finishes, you will see the macOS setup screen where you create a new user account.

Backing up your files before you start

Before you do anything, back up every file you want to keep. Plug in an external hard drive or USB drive with enough space — at least as much free space as the files you want to save. On Windows, open File Explorer, select the folders you want to back up (usually Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads), right-click, and choose "Copy." Open your external drive and paste them there. On a Mac, use the Finder to drag your folders to the external drive, or use Time Machine (System Preferences > Time Machine > Select Backup Disk).

If you do not have an external drive, you can upload files to cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud. This is slower but works if you only have a few important files. Do not skip this step. Once you start the hard reset, there is no way to get your files back.

What to do if your computer will not start normally

If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS at all, you cannot use the normal reset method. Instead, you need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer. On Windows, read the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website on a working computer. Plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, run the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable drive. Then plug that USB drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press F12 or Delete (depending on your computer model) to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and Windows will start the installation process.

On a Mac, you can create a bootable macOS installer on a USB drive using another Mac. Go to the App Store, search for the version of macOS you want (like macOS Monterey or Ventura), and read it. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and use the createinstallmedia command to write it to a USB drive. The exact command depends on which macOS version you are installing — Apple's support pages have the correct command for each version. Once the USB drive is ready, plug it into your broken Mac, restart while holding Command + Option + R, and select the USB drive from the startup menu.

After the hard reset is complete

When your computer finishes the reset and reboots, you will see the setup screen for a brand-new operating system. Create a user account with a password you will remember. Connect to your Wi-Fi network. Windows and macOS will then read and install updates, which can take 15 to 30 minutes. Do not turn off your computer during this time.

Once updates finish, your computer is ready to use. You can now reinstall the programs you need and restore your backed-up files from your external drive or cloud storage. Start with essential programs like your web browser, antivirus software, and any work or creative tools you use regularly. Restore your files one folder at a time so you can make sure everything is working correctly.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is not backing up your files first. A hard reset is permanent and irreversible. If you have not saved your files somewhere else, they are gone forever. The second mistake is turning off your computer during the reset process. If the power goes out or you unplug it while Windows or macOS is reinstalling, your computer may not start at all. Make sure your battery is fully charged if you are using a laptop, or plug in your desktop computer to a reliable power outlet.

A third mistake is choosing the wrong reset option. On Windows, "Keep my files" does not do a hard reset — it only removes programs and settings. For a true hard reset, you must choose "Remove everything." On a Mac, make sure you are erasing the correct drive in Disk Utility. If you have multiple drives connected, erasing the wrong one will destroy files on that drive instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a hard reset after I start it?

No. Once the reset process begins, you cannot stop it without potentially breaking your computer permanently. The only way to undo it is to restore from a backup you made before the reset. This is why backing up your files first is so important.

How long does a hard reset take?

A typical hard reset takes 45 minutes to two hours on a modern computer with a fast internet connection. Older computers or slower internet connections may take longer. The read and reinstall of the operating system is usually the longest part.

Do I need the Windows or macOS installation disc?

No. Windows 10, Windows 11, and modern versions of macOS can read and reinstall themselves over the internet. You only need a bootable USB drive if your computer will not start at all.

Will a hard reset fix my computer if it is running slowly?

Often yes, but not always. A hard reset removes programs, files, and settings that may be slowing things down. However, if your computer is slow because of a hardware problem like a failing hard drive or not enough RAM, a hard reset will not fix it. If slowness returns after a few weeks, the problem is likely hardware-related.

What should I do with my old files after the reset?

Keep your backup drive or cloud storage for at least a month after the reset. This way, if you realize you need a file you thought you did not want, you can still restore it. After that, you can delete the backup if you are sure you do not need anything on it.