What "delete everything" means and why you might do it
Deleting everything on your computer means removing all your personal files, programs, and settings, then reinstalling the operating system so the machine runs like it did when new. This is different from straightforward emptying your trash or deleting a few folders — you are wiping the entire hard drive and starting over.
People do this for several reasons: selling or giving away the computer, removing malware that regular antivirus tools cannot catch, fixing severe performance problems, or preparing a machine for a different user. The process takes one to three hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data is on it.
Before you start, understand that this action is permanent. Files deleted this way cannot be recovered through normal means. Back up anything you want to keep — photos, documents, financial records — to an external drive or cloud storage first.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all files you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin, because deletion is permanent.
- Windows computers use the Settings app to reset the system; Macs use System Settings and the Erase Mac option.
- You will need your Microsoft account password (Windows) or Apple ID password (Mac) to complete the process.
- The computer will restart multiple times during the wipe and reinstall, which can take one to three hours total.
- After the wipe is complete, you will need to set up the operating system again as if the computer were brand new.
Back up your files before you start
Connect an external hard drive or USB drive with enough space for your files. On Windows, open File Explorer, select the folders you want to keep (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Downloads), right-click, and choose "Copy". Open your external drive in a new File Explorer window and paste the files there. On Mac, open Finder, select your files, and drag them to the external drive icon in the sidebar.
If you prefer cloud storage, upload your files to Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, or Dropbox instead. This takes longer for large files but means you can access them from any computer later. Make sure the upload finishes completely before you proceed — check the app to confirm all files show as synced.
Write down any passwords, license keys, or account information you will need after the wipe. Take screenshots of your WiFi password and any software serial numbers. If you use a password manager, export your passwords to a file and save it to your external drive.
How to wipe a Windows computer
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 "Reset PC" button.
A window will appear asking whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Click "Remove everything". The next screen asks whether you want to remove files and clean the drive. Choose "Remove files and clean the drive" if you are selling or giving away the computer — this makes deleted files harder to recover. Choose "Just remove my files" if you are keeping the computer and want the process to finish faster.
Windows will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account password. Enter it and click Next. The system will show you a summary of what will happen, then ask you to click "Reset". Your computer will restart and begin the wipe process. This can take 30 minutes to two hours. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it during this time.
When the process finishes, your computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen, the same one you see when a new computer starts for the first time. Follow the prompts to create a user account, connect to WiFi, and set your preferences.
How to wipe a Mac computer
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings". Click "General" in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset". Click "Erase All Content and Settings".
A warning will appear explaining that this action cannot be undone. Click "Continue". You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Enter them and click Next. The system will ask whether you want to keep your Apple ID linked to the computer or remove it — choose based on whether you are keeping the Mac or giving it away.
Click "Erase" to begin. Your Mac will restart and show a progress bar. The wipe process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on how much data is on the drive. Your Mac may restart several times — this is normal. Do not force shut down the computer or close the lid during this process.
When the erase finishes, your Mac will restart and show the setup screen. Follow the prompts to create a new user account, connect to WiFi, and sign in with your Apple ID if you want to restore your settings and apps from a backup.
What happens after the wipe is complete
Your computer will boot into the operating system setup screen. You will need to create a new user account by entering a name, password, and security questions. Choose a strong password — at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
The system will ask you to connect to WiFi and sign in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). If you are selling the computer, skip this step and leave it unsigned so the new owner can set it up themselves. If you are keeping it, sign in so you can read your backed-up files and reinstall your programs.
After setup finishes, your computer will look and run like a brand new machine. Reinstall the programs you use regularly — web browsers, email clients, productivity software — from their official websites or app stores. Restore your files from your external drive or cloud storage by downloading them or copying them back to your computer.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not start the wipe process without backing up your files first. Even if you think you do not need something, back it up anyway. Once the wipe begins, there is no undo button.
Do not turn off or restart your computer during the wipe. The process can take a long time, especially on older machines or drives with lots of data. Let it run to completion even if it seems stuck. If your screen goes black or shows a progress bar for more than three hours, then you can force shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
Do not forget your Microsoft or Apple ID password. You will need it to complete the wipe and set up the computer afterward. If you forget it, you will have to reset it through your account recovery process before you can proceed.
Do not assume the wipe removes malware completely. If your computer had a serious infection, the malware may have modified your backup files too. After the wipe, run a full antivirus scan before restoring files from backup, or restore only the files you absolutely need and read fresh copies of programs from official sources.
Selling or giving away your computer after the wipe
After the wipe and setup is complete, sign out of your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) before handing the computer to someone else. On Windows, open Settings, click "Accounts", click "Your info", and click "Sign out". On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "System Settings", click "General", then click "Transfer or Reset" and choose "Sign Out".
Restart the computer and confirm it shows the setup screen with no user account. This means the new owner can set it up as their own machine without your accounts or data on it.
If you are selling the computer online, include a note that it has been wiped and is ready for setup. If you are giving it away, walk the new owner through the setup process or leave written instructions. Keep a record of the serial number in case you need it for warranty or support later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover files after I delete everything?
Once you choose "Remove files and clean the drive" on Windows or complete the erase on Mac, recovery is extremely difficult and usually requires professional data recovery services, which cost hundreds of dollars. If you chose "Just remove my files" on Windows, recovery may be possible with specialized software, but it is not may provide. Always back up first.
Do I need the Windows or Mac installation disc?
No. Modern Windows and Mac computers read the operating system during the reset process, so you only need an internet connection. The system will handle the read and reinstall automatically.
What if I forget my password during the wipe?
On Windows, you can reset your Microsoft account password through the sign-in screen by clicking "I forgot my password" and following the recovery steps. On Mac, you will need to restart in Recovery Mode (hold Command-R during startup) and use your Apple ID to reset your password. Both processes take 15 to 30 minutes.
How long does the entire process take?
The wipe itself takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive size and computer speed. Setup and reinstalling your programs takes another hour to several hours depending on how many programs you use and your internet speed. Plan for a full afternoon or evening.
Will wiping my computer remove viruses?
Yes, wiping removes viruses and malware because it deletes everything on the drive and reinstalls a clean operating system. However, if the malware infected your backup files, you may restore it when you copy files back. Scan backups with antivirus software before restoring, or read fresh copies of important files from official sources instead of restoring from backup.