What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your hard drive and reinstalls the original operating system, removing all your files, programs, and settings. It returns the computer to the state it left the manufacturer. You should do this when the system runs too slowly to use, when malware won't go away, before selling or giving away the machine, or when you want a clean start after years of accumulated clutter.

Factory reset is different from a restart or shutdown. A restart clears temporary memory but leaves everything else intact. A factory reset is permanent and irreversible — once you start, you cannot stop it partway through. Back up anything you want to keep before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC; Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset; Linux varies by distribution but usually involves reinstalling from a USB drive.
  • The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer speed and whether you keep personal files or erase everything.
  • After reset, you will need to reinstall programs you use regularly and sign back into your accounts.

How to factory reset Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select the Settings app. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC", click the button that says "Reset PC".

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. If you choose "Keep my files", Windows reinstalls the operating system but preserves your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders. If you choose "Remove everything", the drive is completely wiped. Most people choose "Keep my files" unless they are selling the computer or dealing with malware.

Next, Windows asks whether to reinstall from the cloud or from local files. Cloud reinstall downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers — this is slower but more reliable if your local files are corrupted. Local reinstall uses files already on your computer — this is faster but may not work if those files are damaged. Choose cloud reinstall unless you have a specific reason not to.

The reset process takes 20 to 60 minutes. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account, and Windows will restore your settings and reinstall apps you downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

How to factory reset a Mac

On a Mac running macOS Monterey or newer, 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".

macOS will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will erase all data on the computer. Click Continue. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID — this is required to prevent someone else from using your Mac after the reset. Enter your credentials and click Continue.

The system will ask whether to keep or erase your iCloud data. If you choose "Keep iCloud data", your photos, documents, and other files stored in iCloud remain accessible from any device. If you choose "Erase iCloud data", those files are deleted permanently. Most people keep iCloud data unless they are selling the Mac.

The reset takes 15 to 45 minutes. Your Mac will restart and show a setup screen when finished. You can set it up as a new Mac or restore from a Time Machine backup if you have one.

How to factory reset Linux

Linux does not have a built-in factory reset like Windows or Mac. Instead, you reinstall the operating system from scratch using a USB drive. First, read the ISO file for your Linux distribution from the official website — Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint, and Debian all provide free downloads.

On another computer, read a tool like Balena Etcher or Rufus to write the ISO file to a USB drive. Insert a blank USB drive with at least 4 GB of space, open the tool, select the ISO file you downloaded, select the USB drive, and click Flash or Write. This takes a few minutes.

Insert the USB drive into the Linux computer you want to reset. Restart the computer and press the key that opens the boot menu — this is usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on the manufacturer. Select the USB drive from the menu. The Linux installer will start. Follow the on-screen prompts to erase the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. This process takes 20 to 45 minutes.

Back up your files before you start

The only way to recover files after a factory reset is if you backed them up beforehand. Plug in an external hard drive or USB drive with enough space for your files. On Windows, open File Explorer, select the folders you want to back up (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Downloads), right-click, and select "Send to" > the external drive. On Mac, open Finder, select your files, and drag them to the external drive.

Alternatively, use cloud storage. Upload your files to Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, or Dropbox before you reset. These services keep your files on their servers, so you can read them again after the reset is complete. Most cloud services offer free storage between 5 GB and 15 GB, which is enough for documents and photos but not for large video files.

Make a list of programs you use regularly — Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, Slack, or others — because you will need to reinstall them after the reset. If you have license keys or passwords for paid software, write them down or store them in a password manager before you reset.

What to do after the factory reset is complete

When the reset finishes and your computer boots up, you will see the initial setup screen. Sign in with your account credentials. The computer will restore some settings and programs automatically, but you will need to reinstall most software yourself.

read and install the programs you use most. Visit the official websites for each program rather than downloading from third-party sites, because third-party sites sometimes bundle malware. If you have a Microsoft Office or Adobe subscription, sign in to your account and read the latest version.

Restore your backed-up files. If you used an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back to Documents, Pictures, and other folders. If you used cloud storage, sign in to your account and read the files you need. This can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how many files you have.

Run Windows Update (on Windows) or Software Update (on Mac) to read the latest security patches. On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Restart your computer when the updates finish.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the reset gets stuck on a loading screen, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming something went wrong — factory resets can take longer than expected on older computers. If it is still stuck after an hour, force restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try the reset again.

If you forgot your password and cannot sign in to start the reset, you have limited options. On Windows, you can use another account with administrator rights to reset the computer, or you can use a Windows installation USB to reset the password. On Mac, you can use another administrator account or your Apple ID to reset the password. If you have no other accounts and no way to sign in, you will need to contact the manufacturer or take the computer to a repair shop.

If the reset fails partway through and your computer will not start, you may need to reinstall the operating system manually using a USB drive. This is more involved but usually works when the automatic reset fails. Follow the steps in the Linux section above, but use the Windows or Mac installation media instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a factory reset removes all malware because it deletes everything on the hard drive and reinstalls a clean copy of the operating system. However, if the malware is on an external drive or USB stick you plug back in, it can reinfect your computer. Scan any external drives with antivirus software before you use them again.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once a factory reset completes, the data is gone permanently. The only way to recover files is if you backed them up before the reset. If you realize you made a mistake when ready after starting the reset, you may be able to force restart the computer and stop the process, but this is not reliable.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 30 minutes to two hours. Older computers and computers with large hard drives take longer. The process includes downloading or copying system files, erasing the drive, and installing the operating system. Do not interrupt it or turn off the computer during this time.

Do I need to reinstall all my programs after a factory reset?

Yes, except for programs that came with the operating system. Windows reinstalls Microsoft Edge and built-in apps automatically. Mac reinstalls Safari and other Apple apps. You must read and install third-party programs like Chrome, Firefox, Zoom, or Slack from their official websites.

What if I want to keep some files but erase others?

Factory reset is all-or-nothing — you either keep all your personal files or erase everything. If you want to keep some files and delete others, back up only the files you want to keep before you start the reset, then restore only those files afterward.