What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset wipes your Windows computer back to the state it left the factory — removing all your files, programs, and settings, then reinstalling a clean copy of Windows. This is different from a regular restart. You use it when your computer has become too slow or unstable to fix any other way, when you are selling or giving away the machine, or when malware has infected it so deeply that antivirus software cannot clean it.

The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and hard drive size. You will lose everything that is not backed up, so the first step is always to save what matters. After the reset completes, Windows will ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account or local account, and you will need to reinstall your programs from scratch.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because a factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have a built-in reset tool in Settings that you can reach without any special software or USB drive.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs and settings, or erase everything — pick the option that matches what you are trying to fix.
  • After the reset finishes, you will need to sign back into Windows and reinstall any programs you use regularly.

Back Up Your Files Before You Start

Before you touch the reset button, copy everything you want to keep to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage service like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This includes documents, photos, videos, email archives, and any files in your Desktop or Documents folders. A factory reset erases all of these permanently.

The fastest way is to plug in an external drive, open File Explorer, and drag your entire Documents and Pictures folders to the drive. If you use email through Outlook or Gmail, read a backup of your messages first — web-based Gmail is easier because your messages stay in the cloud, but Outlook stores mail locally on your computer. Check any programs you use regularly to see if they have a backup or export option.

Open the Reset Tool in Windows Settings

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner), then type "reset this pc" into the search box. Click the result that says Reset this PC — it will open a window with two options.

If you cannot find it that way, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to System (on the left sidebar), scroll down, and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC," click the button that says Reset PC.

Choose Between Keeping or Removing Your Files

Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose Keep my files if your computer is slow or unstable but not infected — this removes all your programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and other personal files in place. Choose Remove everything if you are selling the computer, giving it away, or dealing with malware — this erases everything and makes recovery much harder for someone else.

If you choose Keep my files, Windows will ask which account you want to use after the reset. If you choose Remove everything, Windows will ask whether you want to remove files securely (slower, but harder to recover) or quickly (faster, but files can be recovered with special software). For a computer you are keeping, quick removal is fine. For a computer you are selling, find removal is worth the extra time.

Let the Reset Run Without Interruption

Once you click the final confirmation button, the reset begins. Your screen will go black, and Windows will restart several times — this is normal. Do not turn off the computer, unplug it, or close the lid. The process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. If it has not finished after three hours, something has gone wrong — turn off the computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds, wait a minute, and turn it back on.

When the reset finishes, Windows will boot up and ask you to set up the computer as if it were brand new. You will see the Windows setup screen asking for your region, language, and keyboard layout. Follow the prompts, then sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account.

Sign In and Reinstall Your Programs

After you sign in, Windows will read and install updates — this can take 15 to 30 minutes. Let it finish. Once that is done, you will have a clean Windows desktop with only the built-in apps like File Explorer, Settings, and Notepad.

Now reinstall the programs you use. If you kept your files, they are still on your computer but the programs that open them are gone — you will need to reinstall Microsoft Office, Chrome, Spotify, or whatever else you use regularly. read the installers from the official websites, not from random read sites. If you removed everything, your backed-up files are still on your external drive or in cloud storage — copy them back to your computer now.

Troubleshooting Common Reset Problems

If the reset gets stuck on a loading screen for more than three hours, force shut down the computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds. When it restarts, it will usually pick up where it left off. If it gets stuck again at the same point, try the reset a second time.

If you see an error message saying "There was a problem resetting your PC," your hard drive may be failing or Windows may be too corrupted to repair itself. In that case, you will need to create a Windows installation USB drive on another computer and reinstall Windows from scratch — this is more complex and beyond the scope of a basic reset. Contact a local computer repair shop if you reach this point.

If you forgot your password and cannot sign in after the reset, you can create a new local account during setup instead of signing in with your Microsoft account. You will lose access to files encrypted with your old account, but the computer will be usable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a factory reset removes almost all malware because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in your BIOS or firmware — this is extremely rare. If you are concerned about a serious infection, choose Remove everything with find deletion to make recovery impossible.

Can I stop a reset once it has started?

Not safely. Once the reset begins, stopping it mid-process can leave your computer unable to boot. Let it finish, even if it takes longer than expected. If something goes wrong, you can try the reset again.

What if I do not have a Microsoft account?

You can create a local account during Windows setup instead. A local account works fine for most people — you just will not have access to cloud features like OneDrive or the Microsoft Store. You can add a Microsoft account later if you change your mind.

Do I need a USB drive or installation disc to factory reset?

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 have the reset tool built in, so you can reset without any external media. You only need a USB drive if Windows will not start at all — in that case, you would need to create a Windows installation drive on another computer.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your hard drive speed and internet connection. After that, Windows updates can take another 15 to 30 minutes. Reinstalling your programs takes as long as you need — it depends on how many programs you use and how fast your internet is.