How to Reset Your Computer When It Stops Working

What a computer reset does and when you need one

A computer reset clears out temporary files, stops stuck programs, and returns your system to a working state without erasing your documents or photos. Most resets take 10 to 30 minutes. You have three main options: restart (the fastest), refresh (clears system files but keeps your personal data), and full reset (wipes everything and reinstalls Windows or macOS from scratch).

Use a restart when your computer is slow, frozen, or a program won't close. Use a refresh when restarting doesn't fix the problem and you want to keep your files. Use a full reset only when your computer has a serious virus, you're selling it, or nothing else has worked. A full reset is the nuclear option—it takes an hour or more and you lose everything that isn't backed up.

Key Takeaways

A restart closes all programs and clears temporary memory, and is the first step to try when your computer misbehaves.
A refresh removes system files and cached data while keeping your documents, photos, and installed programs intact.
A full reset erases your entire hard drive and reinstalls the operating system, so back up everything first.
On Windows, you access reset options through Settings > System > Recovery; on Mac, use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
If your computer won't start at all, you may need to use a recovery drive or external media to reset it.

How to restart your computer

A restart is the simplest reset and solves most temporary problems. On Windows, click the Start button, select the Power icon, and choose Restart. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, and check the box that says "Reopen windows when logging back in"—this restarts your computer and brings back what you were working on.

If your computer is completely frozen and won't respond to clicks, hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This is a hard shutdown and should only be your last resort during a restart, because it can occasionally damage files that were open.

How to refresh Windows without losing your files

A Windows refresh removes system files and temporary data while keeping your personal documents, photos, and most installed programs. Go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under "Reset this PC," click "Reset PC." Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything—choose "Keep my files."

Windows will then ask whether to reinstall from the cloud or from local files. Choosing local files is faster if your internet is slow. The process takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have. Your computer will restart several times. When it finishes, you'll log back in and your desktop will look mostly the same, but system clutter will be gone.

Some programs you installed may not work after a refresh because their system files were removed. You can reinstall them from the Microsoft Store or from the program's website. This is normal and expected.

How to refresh macOS without losing your files

On a Mac, the equivalent is called Erase and Reinstall. Go to System Settings > General, scroll down, and click "Transfer or Reset." Choose "Erase All Content and Settings" if you want a full wipe, or use the Recovery mode for a gentler refresh. To access Recovery mode, restart your Mac and hold Command + R when ready after you hear the startup sound. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

In Recovery mode, click Utilities > Terminal and type softwareupdate -ia to reinstall macOS without erasing your files. This takes 30 to 60 minutes. Your Mac will restart multiple times. When finished, your files and most programs will still be there, but system caches will be cleared.

How to do a full reset on Windows

Back up everything first. A full reset erases your entire hard drive. Connect an external drive or use cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox) to copy all your documents, photos, and anything else you want to keep.

Once you've backed up, go to Settings > System > Recovery and click "Reset PC." This time, choose "Remove everything." Windows will ask whether to reinstall from the cloud or locally—cloud is safer if your hard drive is failing. The process takes 1 to 2 hours and your computer will restart many times.

When it finishes, you'll see the Windows setup screen. Create a new user account, sign in, and your computer will be exactly as it was the day it left the factory. You'll need to reinstall all your programs and sign back into your accounts (email, streaming services, cloud storage). Your files will be on your backup drive, ready to copy back.

How to do a full reset on macOS

Back up everything using Time Machine or by copying files to an external drive. Then restart your Mac and hold Command + R to enter Recovery mode. Click Utilities > Disk Utility. Select your hard drive (usually called "Macintosh HD") and click Erase. Choose APFS as the format and click Erase again.

When the erase finishes, close Disk Utility and click "Reinstall macOS." Your Mac will read and reinstall the operating system—this takes 1 to 2 hours depending on your internet speed. When finished, you'll see the setup screen. Create a new account, sign in, and your Mac is factory-fresh. Restore your files from your backup when you're ready.

What to do if your computer won't start

If your computer won't turn on or gets stuck on a black screen, you may need a recovery drive. On Windows, borrow another computer, go to Microsoft's Windows Media Creation Tool website, and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. On Mac, use another Mac to create a bootable macOS installer on a USB drive using the App Store.

Plug the USB drive into your broken computer, restart it, and hold F12 (Windows) or Option (Mac) while it boots. Select the USB drive from the menu. You'll then have access to repair tools and the option to reset your system. If this doesn't work or you're not comfortable doing it, take your computer to a repair shop—they have the tools and experience to recover data or reset a machine that won't start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reset delete my files?

A restart and refresh keep your files. A full reset erases everything on your hard drive, so you must back up first. If you choose "Keep my files" during a Windows refresh, your documents and photos stay—only system files are removed.

How long does a reset take?

A restart takes 2 to 5 minutes. A refresh takes 20 to 45 minutes. A full reset takes 1 to 2 hours. Times vary based on how much data you have and how fast your internet connection is.

What should I back up before a full reset?

Back up documents, photos, videos, music, downloads, and any files in your user folder. If you use programs that store data locally (like Quicken or some design software), back those up too. Cloud-based programs like Gmail and Google Docs don't need backing up—your data is already online.

Can I undo a reset?

You cannot undo a full reset. A restart and refresh can be undone by restoring from a backup. If you've done a full reset and lost files, a data recovery service may be able to retrieve them, but this is expensive and not always successful.

Do I need the Windows or Mac installation disc?

No. Windows and macOS can reinstall themselves from the internet or from a recovery partition on your hard drive. You only need external media (USB drive or disc) if your computer won't start at all.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.