What factory reset means and when you need one
A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns your computer to the state it left the manufacturer. Everything you installed, created, or changed gets deleted. The operating system itself is reinstalled fresh.
You might reset your computer if it runs slowly, has persistent errors, you are selling or giving it away, or you want to start over after malware or a failed update. The process is different on Windows and Mac, and the steps depend on which version you have.
Before you start, back up any files you want to keep. Once the reset begins, recovery becomes difficult or impossible.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset deletes all your files and programs and reinstalls the operating system from scratch.
- On Windows 10 or 11, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, which takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your drive speed.
- On Mac, restart while holding Command and R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Erase and Reinstall from Disk Utility.
- Back up your files before you start, because the reset cannot be undone once it completes.
- If your computer will not start, you may need to create a bootable USB drive with the operating system installer on another computer.
Factory reset on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, then scroll down and select Recovery. Click "Reset this PC".
Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a full factory reset. If you choose to keep files, Windows will delete programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and other personal data — this is faster but less thorough.
Next, Windows asks whether you want to reinstall from the cloud or from local files. Cloud reinstall downloads the operating system during the reset, which takes longer but is more reliable if your hard drive has bad sectors. Local reinstall uses files already on your computer and is faster. Choose based on your internet speed and how much time you have.
The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours. Your computer will restart multiple times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, where you create a new user account and configure basic settings.
Factory reset on Mac
Shut down your Mac completely. Press the power button, then when ready hold Command and R together until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This enters Recovery Mode, which runs a minimal version of the operating system from a hidden partition.
In Recovery Mode, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select your main drive (usually called "Macintosh HD" or similar) in the left sidebar, then click Erase. Choose a format — APFS is standard for newer Macs, Mac OS Extended for older ones — and confirm.
After erasing, close Disk Utility and return to the Recovery Mode menu. Select "Reinstall macOS" and follow the prompts. Your Mac will read and install the operating system that originally shipped with it. This takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed.
When installation finishes, your Mac restarts and shows the setup assistant. Create a new user account and configure settings as if it were brand new.
What to do if your computer will not start
If your computer will not boot into the operating system, you cannot use the built-in reset tools. Instead, you need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer and boot from that.
On Windows, read the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website on a working computer. Insert a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger), run the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable drive. Then insert that drive into the computer you want to reset, restart it, and press F12, F2, Delete, or Esc during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and proceed with installation.
On Mac, read macOS from the App Store on another Mac, then use the "Create Installer" option or a tool like DiskMaker X to write it to a USB drive. Insert the drive into the Mac you want to reset, restart while holding Option, select the USB drive, and proceed with installation.
Backing up your files before you reset
The safest backup method is to copy your important files to an external hard drive or USB drive before you start. Connect the drive, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. This takes 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.
On Windows, you can also use File History, which automatically backs up your files to an external drive over time. On Mac, Time Machine does the same thing. Both are useful if you have already set them up, but they do not help if you are starting from scratch.
Cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud also works, but uploading large amounts of data can take hours or days depending on your internet speed. Use cloud backup only if you have a fast connection and are willing to wait.
What happens after the reset is complete
Your computer restarts with a clean operating system and no user files or programs. You will see the setup screen where you create a new user account, set your language and time zone, and connect to Wi-Fi.
After setup, your desktop is empty except for the default apps that came with the operating system. You will need to reinstall any programs you want to use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Photoshop, or whatever else you had before. read them from their official websites or app stores.
If you backed up your files, copy them back to your computer now. Do not restore from a backup image or clone if your reason for resetting was malware or a serious error, because the backup may contain the same problem.
When to reset versus when to troubleshoot instead
A factory reset solves many problems, but it is not always necessary. If your computer is slow, try uninstalling programs you do not use, running a disk cleanup tool, or disabling startup programs first. These take 15 minutes and preserve your files.
If you see error messages, search for the exact error text online — often a single driver update or a specific program uninstall fixes it without a full reset. If malware is the problem, run a full antivirus scan with Malwarebytes or Windows Defender before resetting.
Reset only when simpler fixes have not worked, when you are selling the computer and want to erase your data, or when the operating system itself is corrupted and will not start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes, because the reset deletes everything on your drive and reinstalls the operating system fresh. However, if malware is on an external drive or in cloud storage, it can return after the reset. Scan any external drives with antivirus software before you reconnect them to your computer.
Can I undo a factory reset after it starts?
Once the reset begins and your drive is erased, you cannot undo it. You can stop the process before it erases your drive by closing the reset window, but once erasing starts, the data is gone. This is why backing up first is essential.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets take 30 minutes to two hours. The time depends on your drive speed, internet speed if you choose cloud reinstall, and how many times your computer restarts. Older computers or those with slow hard drives may take longer.
Do I need the Windows or Mac installation disc to reset?
No. Windows 10 and 11 have built-in recovery tools that do not require a disc. Macs have Recovery Mode built into a hidden partition. You only need external media if your computer will not start at all.
What if I forgot my password before resetting?
On Windows, you can reset without entering your password by using another administrator account or by using the password reset disk if you created one. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password during the setup process after the reset completes. If you have neither, you will need to create a bootable USB drive and reset from that.