The Two Ways to Reset Your HP Computer

HP computers offer two reset paths: Keep My Files, which removes programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and downloads intact, and Remove Everything, which wipes the entire drive and returns the machine to the state it shipped in. Which one you choose depends on whether you want to keep your personal files or start completely fresh.

Both routes use the same built-in Windows tool called Reset This PC, found in Settings. You do not need a recovery disc, a USB drive, or any external software. The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive size and which option you pick.

Before you start, back up anything you cannot afford to lose — even the "Keep My Files" option can occasionally fail partway through. Plug in your power adapter and make sure your battery is at least 50 percent charged, because a reset that stops halfway through can leave your computer unusable.

Key Takeaways

  • HP computers reset through Settings > System > Recovery, using Windows' built-in Reset This PC tool, not a separate HP program.
  • Keep My Files removes all programs and settings but preserves your documents, photos, and downloads in their original locations.
  • Remove Everything deletes everything on the drive and returns the computer to factory condition, but takes longer and cannot be undone.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator, have at least 50 percent battery, and back up critical files before starting the reset.
  • If your computer will not start, you can reset it from the Windows login screen using Troubleshoot > Reset This PC without signing in first.

Reset Using Keep My Files (Fastest Option)

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under Reset This PC, click the blue Reset PC button.

A window will appear asking which option you want. Select Keep My Files. Windows will show you a list of programs that will be removed — this includes Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, antivirus software, and any other third-party programs you installed. Your files stay where they are.

Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. Your computer will restart several times over the next 30 to 60 minutes. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see your desktop with your files still there, but all programs except the ones that came with Windows will be gone.

Reset Using Remove Everything (Complete Wipe)

Follow the same path: Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. This time, select Remove Everything. Windows will warn you that all your files, programs, and settings will be deleted and cannot be recovered. This is permanent.

You will see an option to "Remove files and clean the drive" or "Just remove my files". The first option takes longer but makes deleted data harder to recover if someone else uses the computer later. The second is faster. Choose based on whether you are selling, donating, or recycling the machine.

Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. The process takes 45 minutes to two hours. Your computer will restart multiple times. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, as if the computer is brand new. You will need to create a Microsoft account or sign in with an existing one to proceed.

Reset from the Login Screen (When Windows Will Not Start)

If your computer will not boot into Windows normally, you can still reset it. At the login screen, click the power icon in the bottom right corner, hold Shift, and click Restart. The computer will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.

Click Troubleshoot, then Reset This PC. From here, you can choose Keep My Files or Remove Everything the same way as above. You do not need to sign in first. This route is useful if a corrupted program or setting is preventing Windows from starting normally.

What Happens to Your Files With Keep My Files

When you choose Keep My Files, Windows moves your personal files to a folder called Windows.old on your drive, then rebuilds the operating system on top of it. Your documents, photos, videos, and downloads remain accessible in their original locations — your Documents folder still contains what was in Documents, your Pictures folder still contains your photos.

However, files stored inside program folders (like saved games inside a game's installation directory) may be lost because the entire Programs folder is removed. If you have important files nested inside a program's folder, move them to Documents or Pictures before you start the reset.

Passwords stored in Chrome, Firefox, or Outlook are not carried over — you will need to sign back into those services. Bookmarks in Chrome sync automatically if you are signed into a Google account, but Firefox bookmarks do not unless you set up Firefox Sync beforehand.

What to Do If the Reset Fails Partway Through

If your computer restarts unexpectedly or the reset stops, do not panic. Plug it back in and let it sit for a few minutes. Often it will resume on its own. If it does not, restart it manually by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then turn it back on.

If the reset fails multiple times, the drive may have bad sectors or the Windows installation may be too corrupted to repair itself. In that case, you will need to use a Windows installation USB, which requires another computer and a USB drive. Contact HP support or a local repair shop for help creating and using a recovery USB.

Preparing Your Computer Before You Reset

Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage. Even though Keep My Files is designed to preserve your documents, backups protect you if something goes wrong. Copy your Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Downloads folders to a USB drive or upload them to OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud service.

Write down any software license keys or passwords you will need after the reset. Programs like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and antivirus software require set up codes. If you have these written down, reinstalling them later takes minutes instead of hours spent hunting for old emails.

Uninstall any programs you do not want to reinstall. If you have 50 programs installed and only use 10, the Keep My Files reset removes all 50, but you still have to decide which 10 to put back. Removing the ones you do not use first saves time later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my Microsoft Office or Adobe programs?

Yes, both Keep My Files and Remove Everything delete all third-party programs, including Office and Adobe. You will need to reinstall them and sign in with your account. If you have a product key or subscription, you can read and reinstall them from Microsoft or Adobe's website after the reset finishes.

Can I stop the reset once it starts?

You can restart your computer during the reset, but this may corrupt Windows and make it unbootable. Only force a restart if the reset appears to be frozen for more than an hour. If you change your mind before the reset begins, close the Settings window and nothing will happen.

Do I need to remove my antivirus software before resetting?

No. The reset removes all programs automatically, including antivirus software. After the reset finishes, Windows Defender (built-in antivirus) will be active. You can reinstall your preferred antivirus program afterward if you want.

What if I forgot my Windows password?

You can still reset the computer from the login screen without signing in. Click Troubleshoot at the bottom of the login screen, then Reset This PC. You will not be able to choose Keep My Files without a password, but Remove Everything works without one.

How much free space do I need on my drive to reset?

Windows needs at least 10 to 15 percent of your drive free to perform a reset. If your drive is nearly full, delete large files or programs first, or connect an external drive and move files to it before starting the reset.