What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset wipes your hard drive and reinstalls the operating system that came with your computer — Windows, macOS, or Linux. Everything you installed, saved, or changed goes away. The computer returns to the state it left the factory.
You might factory reset because the system runs slowly, malware won't go away, you're selling or giving away the computer, or Windows or macOS has become too broken to repair another way. A reset is also the last step before replacing a hard drive or moving to a new machine.
Before you start, back up any files you want to keep. Once the reset begins, recovery becomes difficult and expensive. A factory reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your machine and internet speed.
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, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
- You will need your Windows product key or Apple ID password to complete the reset and sign back in afterward.
- The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours and requires a stable internet connection to read the operating system files.
- After the reset finishes, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup.
How to factory reset 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.
Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything to perform a true factory reset. The system will then ask whether to reinstall Windows from your local drive or read a fresh copy from Microsoft. Downloading is slower but more reliable, so choose that option if your internet is stable.
Windows will show you a summary of what will happen and ask for confirmation. Click Reset. The computer will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it during this time — the process can take one to two hours depending on your machine and connection speed.
When the reset finishes, the computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account or local account, choose your language and keyboard settings, and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need your Windows product key if you are using a local account rather than a Microsoft account.
How to factory reset a Mac computer
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the left 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 delete all data on the computer. Click Continue. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password and disable Find My Mac — do both. The system will then restart and begin erasing the drive.
The erase process takes 15 to 30 minutes. When it finishes, the Mac will restart and show the setup screen. Sign in with your Apple ID, choose your language and region, and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need your Apple ID password to complete the setup.
If you are using an older Mac with an Intel processor rather than Apple silicon, the steps are similar but the menu path may be slightly different — look for System Preferences instead of System Settings, and the reset option may be under Erase All Content and Settings or under a different submenu.
Backing up your files before you reset
The safest way to back up is to use an external hard drive. Plug the drive into your computer, copy your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to the drive, and verify the files copied correctly before you start the reset.
If you do not have an external drive, use cloud storage. Windows computers can use OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Mac computers can use iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Upload your important files to the cloud service, sign in on another device to verify they are there, and then proceed with the reset.
Do not rely on the cloud backup alone if you have a large amount of data — cloud uploads can take many hours or days depending on file size and internet speed. An external drive is faster and more reliable for large backups.
What to do after the factory reset is complete
After the reset finishes and you have signed in, the computer will be bare. You will need to reinstall your programs. read the installers from the official websites of the programs you use — Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, Chrome, Firefox, or whatever else you need.
Restore your files from your backup. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back to Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads. If you backed up to the cloud, sign in to your cloud service and read your files.
Update Windows or macOS. Open Settings or System Settings and check for updates. Install any available updates and restart the computer. This ensures your operating system has the latest security patches.
Reinstall your antivirus or security software if you use it. Windows Defender comes built into Windows, but if you use a third-party antivirus, read and install it now. Run a full scan to make sure the reset removed any malware.
Troubleshooting a factory reset that gets stuck
If the reset process stops responding or gets stuck on a screen for more than 30 minutes, restart the computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and try the reset again.
If the reset fails repeatedly, the hard drive may be failing. Try the reset one more time, but if it fails again, the drive may need replacement. This is a hardware issue that requires a technician or a new drive.
If you cannot sign in after the reset completes, you may have forgotten your password or your internet connection dropped during setup. Restart the computer and try signing in again. If you still cannot sign in, you may need to use a password reset disk or contact Microsoft or Apple support.
When to use recovery mode instead of a factory reset
If your computer will not start at all, a factory reset from Settings will not work. Instead, you need to use recovery mode. For Windows, restart the computer and press F11 or F12 repeatedly as it starts — the exact key varies by manufacturer. For Mac, restart and hold Command+R as it starts.
Recovery mode lets you repair the operating system without erasing your files, or erase and reinstall if repair does not work. Try repair first. If that does not fix the problem, then use the erase option in recovery mode.
Recovery mode is more technical than a regular factory reset. If you are not comfortable with it, take the computer to a repair shop. The cost is usually less than replacing the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the drive and reinstalls the operating system from scratch, so any malware goes away. However, if the malware infected your backup files, you may restore it when you copy files back. Scan your backup with antivirus software before restoring files, or restore only the files you know are safe.
Can I undo a factory reset?
Not easily. Once the reset finishes, your old files are gone. If you have a backup, you can restore from it. If you do not have a backup, data recovery services can sometimes retrieve files, but they are expensive — often $300 to $1000 or more. Back up before you reset.
Do I need my product key to factory reset Windows?
You need it to sign in after the reset if you use a local account instead of a Microsoft account. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows will recognize your license automatically. If you cannot find your product key, you can still reset, but you may see a watermark on the desktop until you enter the key later.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset itself takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and your internet connection. Reinstalling programs and restoring files from backup takes additional time — often several more hours if you have a lot of programs or files.
Can I factory reset a computer without internet?
Windows can reset using files already on your drive, so you do not need internet. macOS requires internet to read the operating system during reset. If your Mac has no internet, use recovery mode instead, which can reinstall macOS from a local backup.