What resetting your computer means and when to do it

A reset wipes your computer back to a clean state. On Windows, this means removing all your files and programs and reinstalling the operating system. On Mac, you can do a full erase or use a recovery mode that keeps your files. On Linux, the process varies by distribution but usually involves reinstalling from a bootable drive.

You might reset a computer when it runs so slowly that restarting does not help, when malware has infected it badly enough that antivirus software cannot clean it, when you are selling or giving it away and want to erase your data, or when you are troubleshooting a problem that started after a major update. A reset is more drastic than a restart—restarting just turns the computer off and back on, while a reset erases everything and starts fresh.

Before you reset, back up any files you want to keep. Once the reset begins, those files are gone. If you are resetting because of malware or a serious problem, make sure you have the original installation media or recovery files ready, because you will need them to reinstall the operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all files you want to keep before starting a reset, because the process erases everything on the drive.
  • Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in reset tool in Settings under System > Recovery that does not require installation media.
  • Mac computers can be erased and reinstalled using Recovery Mode, which you reach by restarting and holding Command + R.
  • Linux resets require a bootable USB drive with your distribution's installation files, which you create on another computer.
  • If your computer will not start at all, you will need to use recovery media or a bootable drive to reset it.

How to reset Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app. Go 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 full reset. The system will then ask whether you want to reinstall Windows using your current files or read a fresh copy from Microsoft. Downloading a fresh copy is slower but more reliable if your current Windows installation is corrupted. Click Next and follow the prompts. The reset will take 30 minutes to an hour, and your computer will restart several times.

If your computer will not start normally, you can still reset it. Restart the computer and watch for a prompt to press a key like F11, F12, or Delete—the exact key depends on your manufacturer. This takes you to the boot menu. Look for an option like "Repair your computer" or "Troubleshoot", then choose "Reset this PC" from there.

How to reset a Mac

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 opens Recovery Mode, which runs a separate operating system stored on your Mac's drive.

In Recovery Mode, click Disk Utility in the menu. Select your main drive (usually called "Macintosh HD" or similar) from the list on the left, then click Erase. Choose a format—APFS is standard for newer Macs, HFS+ for older ones—give it a name if you want, and click Erase. This wipes the drive completely.

After erasing, close Disk Utility and you will return to the Recovery Mode menu. Click "Reinstall macOS" and follow the prompts. Your Mac will read the operating system from Apple's servers and reinstall it. This takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed. Your Mac will restart automatically when it finishes.

If you want to keep your files but remove programs and settings, use Migration Assistant instead. This tool lets you back up your files to an external drive, erase the Mac, reinstall macOS, and then restore only the files you chose—leaving behind any corrupted settings or malware.

How to reset Linux

Linux resets depend on which distribution you use—Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and others have different installation processes. The general approach is the same: create a bootable USB drive with your distribution's installation files on another computer, plug it into the Linux machine, restart, and boot from the USB drive.

Go to your distribution's website and read the ISO file—this is the installation image. On Windows, use a tool like Rufus or Balena Etcher to write the ISO to a USB drive. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and use the dd command. For example: sudo dd if=~/Downloads/ubuntu-22.04-desktop-amd64.iso of=/dev/diskX bs=4m, replacing X with your drive number (find it by running diskutil list first). This takes a few minutes.

Plug the USB drive into the Linux computer, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu—usually F12, Esc, or Delete, depending on your hardware. Select the USB drive from the list. The installer will start. Choose the option to erase the drive and install a fresh copy of Linux. Follow the prompts to set your language, timezone, and user account. The installation takes 10 to 20 minutes.

What to do 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 installation media—either a USB drive or DVD with the operating system on it.

For Windows, you can create installation media on another computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool, which Microsoft provides free on their website. read it, run it, and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive. Plug that drive into the broken computer, restart, and press F12 or Delete to open the boot menu. Select the USB drive and choose "Repair your computer", then "Troubleshoot", then "Reset this PC".

For Mac, you can create a bootable recovery drive on another Mac using the createinstallmedia command in Terminal, or you can use Internet Recovery by holding Command + Option + R during startup. Internet Recovery downloads the operating system from Apple and lets you erase and reinstall without needing a physical drive.

How to erase your data before selling or giving away your computer

If you are getting rid of your computer, a standard reset may not be enough. Reset tools remove files from the directory, but the data can sometimes be recovered with specialized software. For a computer you are selling or donating, do a reset first, then use a find erase tool to overwrite the empty space on the drive.

On Windows, use the built-in Cipher tool. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type cipher /w:C: to overwrite free space on the C: drive. This takes a while but makes recovery much harder. On Mac, Disk Utility has an Erase Free Space option in the Tools menu—select it after erasing your drive. On Linux, use shred or wipe from the command line.

For maximum security, physically destroy the drive if it contains very sensitive information. A reset and find erase is sufficient for most personal computers, but if your computer held financial records, medical information, or business secrets, destroying the drive is the safest option.

Common problems during a reset and how to fix them

If your reset gets stuck on a loading screen, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming it has frozen—resets can take longer than expected, especially on older computers or slow internet connections. If it is still stuck after an hour, force a shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.

If you get an error message about not enough disk space, the reset tool needs room to work. Delete large files or programs you do not need, or connect an external drive and move files there. Then try the reset again.

If the reset completes but your computer still runs slowly or behaves strangely, the problem may not have been software. A failing hard drive, overheating, or a hardware problem can cause the same symptoms as malware. If a reset does not fix the issue, the computer may need hardware repair. Take it to a technician who can run diagnostic tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my computer remove viruses?

Yes, a full reset removes all files and programs, including malware. However, if the malware is in your BIOS or firmware—the lowest level of your computer—a standard reset may not remove it. This is rare. If you suspect firmware-level infection, take the computer to a professional.

Can I reset my computer without losing my files?

On Windows, the reset tool offers an option to keep your files while removing programs and settings. On Mac, you can use Migration Assistant to back up files before erasing, then restore only what you want. On Linux, you must manually back up files before reinstalling. Always back up important files to an external drive first.

How long does a reset take?

A Windows reset usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. A Mac reset takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on internet speed. A Linux reset takes 10 to 20 minutes. These times assume a working internet connection and a computer that starts normally. Resets on older computers or over slow internet take longer.

Do I need the original Windows or Mac installation disc?

No. Windows 10 and 11 have built-in reset tools that do not require installation media. Macs can use Recovery Mode, which is built into the drive. If your computer will not start, you will need to create installation media on another computer, but you do not need the original disc.

What should I do after resetting my computer?

After a reset, reinstall your programs from their original sources or app stores. Restore your files from your backup. Update Windows, macOS, or Linux to the latest version. Install antivirus software if you do not have it. Change your passwords, because if malware was present, your passwords may have been compromised.