What Resetting to Factory Settings Does

Resetting your computer to factory settings erases everything on your hard drive and reinstalls the operating system that came with the machine. This means all your files, programs, photos, and documents are deleted. The computer returns to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box—or close to it, depending on your device and operating system.

People reset computers when they want to sell or give away the machine, when the system has become too slow or unstable to use, or when they want to start fresh without years of accumulated software and settings. It is one of the most thorough ways to clean a computer, but it is also permanent. You cannot undo a factory reset once it completes, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer speed and whether you choose to keep or remove your files first.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to go through the initial setup process again, including creating or signing into a user account.
  • If your computer will not start or you cannot access Settings, you may need to use a recovery disk or USB drive to reset from outside the operating system.

How to Reset a Windows Computer

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Click the Start button, then type "reset" into the search box. Select "Reset this PC" from the results. Windows will open the Recovery window and show you two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything."

Choose "Keep my files" if you want to delete programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and other personal data. Choose "Remove everything" for a complete wipe. If you are selling or giving away the computer, use "Remove everything." Windows will then ask whether you want to remove files securely (which takes longer but is harder to recover) or quickly (which is faster but leaves data that could theoretically be recovered with special tools).

Once you confirm, Windows will restart your computer and begin the reset. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it during this process. The reset typically takes 30 minutes to two hours. When it finishes, your computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen, where you will create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account.

How to Reset a Mac Computer

On a Mac running macOS Monterey or newer, open System Settings (not System Preferences). Click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset." You will see an option to "Erase All Content and Settings." Click that button.

macOS will ask you to sign out of your Apple ID and iCloud. Do this before proceeding. The system will then restart and show a progress bar while it erases the drive and reinstalls macOS. This process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. When it finishes, your Mac will show the initial setup screen, just as it did when new.

If you have an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, the process is different. You will need to restart the computer while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Disk Utility to erase the drive and reinstall the operating system from there. If you are unsure which version you have, click the Apple menu and select "About This Mac" to check.

Backing Up Your Files Before You Reset

The most important step is backing up anything you want to keep. Plug in an external hard drive or USB drive with enough space for your files. On Windows, open File Explorer, select the folders you want to back up (usually Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop), and drag them to the external drive. On a Mac, open Finder, select your files, and drag them to the external drive the same way.

Alternatively, you can use cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud. Upload your important files to the cloud before you reset. This method is slower for large amounts of data but means your files are safe even if something happens to your external drive. Many people use both methods—cloud storage for critical documents and an external drive for everything else.

Make a list of programs you use regularly before you reset. After the reset completes and your computer restarts, you will need to read and install them again. Write down the names of any paid software you use so you have the license keys or account information ready.

What to Do If Your Computer Will Not Start

If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS, you cannot use the Settings method to reset. Instead, you will need to create a recovery disk or USB drive on another computer and use that to reset your machine.

For Windows, read the Windows installation media from Microsoft's website on a working computer. You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. Insert the USB drive, run the Windows Media Creation Tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable recovery drive. Then insert that USB drive into the computer you want to reset, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu (usually F12, F2, or Delete—check your computer's manual). Select the USB drive from the boot menu and follow the on-screen instructions to reset Windows.

For Mac, restart your computer while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. If that does not work, try Command + Option + R to read and reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac. Once in Recovery Mode, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu, select your hard drive, and click "Erase." Then reinstall macOS from the same menu.

After the Reset: What Happens Next

When your computer restarts after the reset, it will show the same setup screen you saw when it was brand new. You will need to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and create a user account or sign in with an existing account (Microsoft account for Windows, Apple ID for Mac).

After setup completes, your desktop will be empty except for default programs. You will need to read and install any software you use. Start with your web browser, antivirus software, and any programs you use daily. Restore your backed-up files by copying them from your external drive or downloading them from cloud storage.

The reset process is complete once you have reinstalled your programs and restored your files. Your computer should run noticeably faster than it did before, especially if it had accumulated years of software and settings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is not backing up your files first. Once a factory reset starts, there is no way to stop it or recover your data. Always back up before you begin, even if you think you do not have anything important on the computer.

Do not turn off your computer or unplug it while the reset is running. This can corrupt the operating system and leave your computer in an unusable state. Let the reset finish completely, even if it takes longer than you expected. If the reset seems to be stuck (no progress for more than an hour), restart the computer and try again, but do not force it off in the middle of the process.

Another common mistake is forgetting to write down software license keys or account information before you reset. After the reset, you will not be able to access your old programs to find this information. If you use paid software, save the license keys in a safe place before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a factory reset will remove most viruses and malware because it deletes everything on your hard drive and reinstalls a clean operating system. However, some advanced malware can survive a reset if it is stored in your firmware (the software that runs before the operating system loads). If you suspect a serious infection, consider having a professional check your computer after the reset.

Can I reset my computer without losing my files?

On Windows, yes—choose "Keep my files" during the reset process. This removes programs and settings but preserves your documents, photos, and other personal data. On Mac, the built-in reset tool erases everything, so you must back up your files first and restore them after the reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset typically takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your computer's speed and hard drive size. Older computers or those with large hard drives may take longer. Do not interrupt the process—let it run until your computer restarts and shows the setup screen.

Do I need the original Windows or Mac installation disk to reset my computer?

No. Windows and Mac both have built-in recovery tools that reinstall the operating system without needing the original disk. If your computer will not start, you can create a recovery USB drive on another computer and use that instead.

What should I do if the reset fails or gets stuck?

If the reset appears to be stuck with no progress for more than an hour, restart your computer and try the reset again. If it fails repeatedly, try using a recovery disk or USB drive instead of the built-in reset tool. If you continue to have problems, a computer repair technician can help diagnose the issue.