What "Reset" Means and When to Do It
A computer reset means wiping your hard drive and reinstalling the operating system from scratch. Everything on your computer — files, programs, settings, passwords — gets deleted. You end up with a machine that looks and works like it did the day it left the factory.
You might reset a computer because it runs slowly, crashes often, has a virus you cannot remove, or you are selling it and want to erase your data. A reset is different from a restart (turning it off and on), which just clears temporary memory and does not delete anything permanent.
Before you reset, back up any files you want to keep. Once the reset starts, recovery is difficult and expensive. If you are not sure whether you need a reset, try restarting first, uninstalling programs you do not use, or running antivirus software — these often fix problems without erasing everything.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all files you want to keep before starting a reset, because the process deletes everything on your computer.
- Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC; Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
- A reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer speed and whether you choose to keep files or erase everything.
- After a reset, you will need to reinstall programs, sign back into accounts, and restore files from your backup.
- If your computer will not start, you may need to reset from a bootable USB drive or recovery disk instead of from within the operating system.
How to Reset a Windows Computer
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then pressing Enter. Click System in the left menu, then 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 if you are selling the computer or trying to remove a virus. Choose Keep my files if you want to erase programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and music. Keep in mind that "Keep my files" does not remove viruses — it only clears the operating system and installed programs.
Next, Windows asks whether you want to reinstall from the cloud or from a local reinstall file. Cloud reinstall downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers (requires a working internet connection and takes longer). Local reinstall uses files already on your computer (faster, but only works if Windows is still running). Choose cloud reinstall if your computer has a virus or serious corruption.
The reset will take 30 minutes to two hours. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this process. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, where you sign in with your Microsoft account and choose your language and keyboard layout.
How to Reset a Mac Computer
On a Mac running macOS 13 (Ventura) or later, click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings. Click General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Transfer or Reset. Click Erase All Content and Settings.
Your Mac will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. This step confirms you own the computer and prevents someone else from erasing it remotely. After you sign in, click Continue, then Erase to confirm. Your Mac will restart and begin the reset process.
On older Macs (macOS 12 Monterey and earlier), the process is different. Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R while it starts up. This boots into Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Terminal. Type csrutil disable and press Enter (this disables System Integrity Protection temporarily). Restart again into Recovery Mode, then use Disk Utility to erase your hard drive. This method is more complex and takes longer, so if you are uncomfortable with it, take your Mac to an Apple Store.
A Mac reset takes 20 minutes to an hour. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen where you choose your language, sign in with your Apple ID, and restore from a Time Machine backup if you have one.
Backing Up Your Files Before You Reset
The safest backup method is an external hard drive. Plug it into your computer, then on Windows use File Explorer to drag your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to the drive. On Mac, use Finder to do the same, or use Time Machine (System Settings > General > Time Machine > Add Backup Disk) to back up automatically.
If you do not have an external drive, use cloud storage. Upload your important files to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud. This takes longer if you have many large files, but it works from anywhere and you can restore files after the reset by signing into your account.
Write down any passwords, license keys, or account information you will need after the reset. Take screenshots of your desktop and any custom settings you want to remember. Note which programs you use regularly so you can reinstall them afterward.
What to Do If Your Computer Will Not Start
If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS, you cannot reset from within the operating system. Instead, you need a bootable USB drive or recovery disk.
For Windows, go to another computer and visit microsoft.com/software-read/windows. read the Windows installation tool, plug in a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger), and follow the tool's steps to create a bootable drive. Then plug the drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press F12, F2, or Delete during startup (the key varies by manufacturer) to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and follow the Windows installation steps.
For Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + Option + R while it starts. This boots into Internet Recovery Mode, which downloads a fresh copy of macOS from Apple's servers. Use Disk Utility to erase your drive, then reinstall macOS. This requires a working internet connection and takes longer than a local reset.
After the Reset: Getting Your Computer Back to Normal
Once the reset finishes and you complete the setup screens, your computer is blank. You will need to reinstall programs, sign back into email and social media accounts, and restore files from your backup.
Start by restoring files from your backup drive or cloud storage. On Windows, plug in your external drive and copy your backed-up folders back to Documents, Pictures, and Downloads. On Mac, use Time Machine (System Settings > General > Time Machine > Restore from Backup) to restore your entire backup, or manually copy files from your external drive.
Next, reinstall the programs you use. read them from their official websites or from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (Mac). Sign back into your email, social media, and other accounts. Reinstall any drivers for printers, external monitors, or other hardware.
The reset is complete when your computer looks and works the way you want it to. This usually takes a few hours of setup after the reset itself finishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not unplug your computer or turn it off during a reset. The process rewrites your hard drive, and interrupting it can make your computer unbootable. If the reset seems to be taking too long (more than three hours), restart and try again, but do not force-shut it down unless it has been frozen for more than 30 minutes.
Do not reset if you have not backed up your files. Once the reset starts, recovery is nearly impossible without professional data recovery, which costs hundreds of dollars. Spend 30 minutes backing up before you spend two hours resetting.
Do not assume "Keep my files" removes viruses. If your computer has malware, choose "Remove everything" instead. Viruses can hide in system files that "Keep my files" does not touch.
Do not forget to reinstall antivirus software after the reset. Your computer is vulnerable until you install protection. Windows Defender (built into Windows) is free and adequate for most users. Mac users should use the built-in XProtect, which runs automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reset remove viruses from my computer?
Yes, if you choose "Remove everything" (Windows) or "Erase All Content and Settings" (Mac). A full reset wipes the entire hard drive and reinstalls the operating system, which removes all viruses. If you choose to keep your files, viruses may remain in those files, so only use that option if you are sure your computer is not infected.
How long does a computer reset take?
A reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. Older computers and those with large hard drives take longer. The actual time depends on your internet speed (if you choose cloud reinstall on Windows), your hard drive speed, and how many times your computer restarts during the process. Do not interrupt it or turn off your computer during this time.
Can I undo a reset after it starts?
No. Once a reset begins, you cannot stop it without risking permanent damage to your computer. If you realize you forgot to back up files, let the reset finish, then contact a data recovery service — but this is expensive and not always successful. Back up before you start.
Do I need my password to reset my computer?
On Windows, you need to sign in with your Microsoft account password to start the reset. On Mac, you need your Apple ID password. If you have forgotten either password, you can reset it on the Microsoft or Apple website before you reset your computer, or you can reset from a bootable USB drive (Windows) or Internet Recovery (Mac) without signing in.
What should I do with my old files after I restore them?
Keep your backup drive or cloud storage for at least a month after the reset, in case you realize you need a file you did not restore. After that, you can delete the backup if you want to free up space, but many people keep old backups indefinitely as insurance against future data loss.