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 settings disappear. The computer returns to the state it was in when it left the factory—with only the original operating system and the software the manufacturer included.
People reset computers for different reasons: to fix persistent software problems, to remove malware, to prepare a machine for someone else to use, or to wipe it before selling or donating it. The process is different depending on whether you use Windows or macOS, and the exact steps depend on which version you have.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because everything on your computer will be deleted.
- Windows computers use the Settings app to reset; macOS computers use Recovery Mode, which you access by restarting and holding Command-R.
- The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data is on the drive.
- After the reset completes, you will need to set up the operating system again, create a user account, and reinstall any programs you want to keep.
How to Reset a Windows Computer
On Windows 10 or Windows 11, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC," click the Reset PC button.
Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything if you want a true factory reset. The system will then ask whether you want to reinstall Windows using cloud read or local reinstall. Cloud read is usually faster if your internet connection is stable. Click Next and Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. Click Reset to begin.
The process typically takes 30 minutes to two hours. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it during this time. When the reset finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, where you create a new user account and configure basic settings.
How to Reset a Mac Computer
On a Mac, restart your computer and when ready hold down Command-R as it boots up. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This takes you to Recovery Mode. Once you are in Recovery Mode, click Utilities in the menu bar, then click Terminal.
In the Terminal window, type this command exactly: csrutil disable and press Enter. This disables System Integrity Protection, which is necessary for the next step. Restart your Mac again and hold Command-R to return to Recovery Mode.
This time, click Disk Utility from the Recovery Mode menu. Select your main hard drive (usually called "Macintosh HD") from the list on the left. Click the Erase button at the top. Choose APFS as the format and give the drive a name if you want. Click Erase to wipe the drive. When that finishes, quit Disk Utility and click Reinstall macOS from the Recovery Mode menu. Follow the prompts to read and reinstall the operating system.
After macOS reinstalls, restart your Mac. You will see the setup assistant, where you create a new user account and configure settings. The entire process usually takes two to four hours on a Mac.
Back Up Your Files Before You Start
Before you reset anything, copy all files you want to keep to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. This includes documents, photos, videos, and any other personal files. Do not rely on your memory of what you have—go through your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, and Pictures folders carefully.
If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, make sure your files have actually synced to the cloud before you reset. Check the sync status in the process itself. For external drives, connect the drive, drag your folders to it, and wait for the copy to finish before you unplug it.
If you have programs you paid for or installed from sources other than the official app store, write down the names and where you got them. You will need to reinstall them after the reset. Take screenshots of any custom settings you have configured in programs you use frequently.
What to Do If the Reset Gets Stuck
If your computer freezes during the reset and does not respond for more than 15 minutes, you may need to force it to shut down. On Windows, hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black. On a Mac, hold the power button for 10 seconds as well. Wait a full minute, then turn the computer back on and try the reset again from the beginning.
If the reset keeps failing at the same point, the hard drive itself may have a problem. Try the reset one more time, but if it fails again, you may need to take the computer to a repair shop or contact the manufacturer's support line. Do not keep forcing resets—repeated attempts can damage the drive further.
Setting Up Your Computer After the Reset
When the reset finishes and the setup screen appears, follow the on-screen prompts to create a new user account. Choose a strong password—at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Write it down somewhere safe in case you forget it.
After you finish the initial setup, connect to your internet, then reinstall the programs you need. Start with your web browser, then add security software if you use it. Reinstall programs one at a time and test each one before moving to the next. This way, if something goes wrong, you will know which program caused the problem.
If you backed up files to cloud storage, sign into those accounts and read your files back to the computer. If you used an external drive, connect it and copy the files back to the appropriate folders.
When to Reset Instead of Repair
A factory reset fixes software problems but not hardware failures. If your computer is running slowly because of malware or too many programs, a reset will help. If your keyboard is broken or your screen flickers, a reset will not fix it. If your computer makes clicking sounds from the hard drive or will not turn on at all, the problem is hardware, not software.
Reset your computer if it has become infected with malware that antivirus software cannot remove, if it crashes constantly, if programs freeze regularly, or if you want to erase everything before giving it away. Do not reset if the computer will not turn on, if you hear strange noises from inside, or if you spilled liquid on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes. A factory reset erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls the operating system, which removes all malware. However, if the malware is on an external drive or in cloud storage you use, it can come back. After the reset, be careful what you read and keep your antivirus software updated.
Can I stop the reset once it starts?
You can cancel the reset before the actual wiping begins—usually during the first few screens of the process. Once the computer starts erasing the hard drive, stopping it can damage the system and make the computer unusable. If you need to cancel, do it when ready when you realize you made a mistake.
What if I forget my password after the reset?
On Windows, you can use another administrator account to reset the forgotten password, or you can use a Microsoft account to recover it online. On a Mac, you can use Recovery Mode to reset your password. If you have no other accounts and no recovery options set up, you may need to reset the computer again or contact the manufacturer.
How long does a factory reset take?
A Windows reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. A Mac reset typically takes two to four hours. The time depends on how fast your computer is, how much data is on the drive, and your internet speed. Do not turn off the computer during the process, even if it seems stuck.
Do I need the original Windows or macOS disc?
No. Both Windows and macOS can read the operating system from the internet during the reset. You only need an internet connection. If your internet is very slow, the read may take a long time, but you do not need a physical disc.