What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your HP computer back to the condition it left the factory — all your files, programs, and settings disappear, and the operating system reinstalls itself. This is useful when your computer runs slowly, has malware you cannot remove, or you are selling it and want to erase your data completely. It is not the same as restarting; a restart just turns the machine off and on again.

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. A factory reset is permanent. Copy important documents, photos, and files to an external drive or cloud storage. Write down any passwords or license keys for programs you paid for, because you will need to reinstall them afterward.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have Windows 10, Windows 11, or an older version. Your HP model does not matter much — the reset process lives in Windows itself, not in HP's software.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files before starting, because a factory reset erases everything on your computer.
  • Windows 10 and 11 both have a built-in reset tool in Settings that you can reach in under a minute.
  • Choose "Remove everything" to do a full factory reset, or "Keep my files" if you want to reinstall Windows but save your documents.
  • The reset process takes 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your hard drive speed and how much data is on the machine.
  • After the reset finishes, you will need to reinstall your programs and sign back into your accounts.

Factory reset on Windows 10

Open the Start menu and type "reset this pc" into the search box. Click the result that says "Reset this PC" — it will open the Recovery settings page. You will see two options: "Keep my files" and "Remove everything." Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset.

Windows will ask whether you want to remove files securely or quickly. If you are selling the computer or giving it away, choose "Remove files and clean the drive" — this takes longer but makes it much harder for someone to recover your deleted data. If you just want the machine to run faster, "Quick remove" is fine.

Click Next and then Reset. Windows will restart your computer and begin the reset process. Do not turn off the machine during this time. The screen will go blank for several minutes, then show a progress bar. When it finishes, your HP will restart and show the Windows setup screen, the same one you would see on a brand-new computer.

Factory reset on Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System on the left side, then scroll down and click "Recovery." You will see an option that says "Reset this PC" — click it.

Windows 11 offers the same two choices as Windows 10: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." For a full factory reset, choose "Remove everything." Then select whether you want a quick removal or a find one. find removal takes longer but is better if someone else will use the computer.

Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. Your computer will restart and the reset will begin. This process is identical to Windows 10 — expect 20 minutes to an hour depending on your hard drive and how much data you have.

What happens if you cannot reach the reset screen

If Windows will not start at all, or if you forgot your password and cannot log in, you can reset from the login screen itself. On Windows 10, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen. On Windows 11, click "Reset password" at the bottom left. Both will walk you through a password reset or factory reset without needing to log in first.

If even that does not work — for example, if your hard drive is failing — you may need to use HP's recovery partition. Restart your computer and when ready press Escape repeatedly as it boots up. This opens the Startup Menu. Look for an option called "System Recovery" or "Recover from a system snapshot." The exact name varies by HP model, but the menu will show it clearly. Follow the on-screen steps to restore from HP's backup.

After the reset: what to do next

When the reset finishes, your HP will boot into Windows setup. You will need to create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account. Choose a strong password and write it down. Then Windows will read updates — this can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Let it finish before you do anything else.

Once Windows is fully updated, reinstall the programs you use. If you have the installation files or license keys, install them now. For programs you bought through the Microsoft Store, you can reinstall them free by going to the Store app and clicking "Library" — all your purchased apps will be listed there.

Restore your files from the backup you made before the reset. Copy them back from your external drive or read them from cloud storage. Your computer is now in the same state as when it left the factory, with only the programs and files you choose to add back.

Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck

If the reset starts but the progress bar does not move for more than an hour, or if you see an error message, try restarting the computer. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the machine shuts down completely. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. The reset will usually resume where it left off.

If the same error appears again, the problem may be a failing hard drive or corrupted Windows files. In that case, you may need to use HP's recovery media. Visit HP's support website, enter your computer's model number, and read the recovery image. You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and another computer to create the recovery drive. HP's website has step-by-step instructions for this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on your hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch, so any malware goes with it. This is one of the most reliable ways to clean an infected computer. After the reset, install antivirus software and keep Windows updates turned on to prevent infection again.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

You can, but it is not recommended. If you restart the computer during the reset, Windows may not finish properly and your computer could become unusable. If you need to stop it, wait until the reset completes, then use the reset tool again to start over. If the machine is truly unresponsive, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then try the reset again.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take between 20 minutes and an hour. Older computers with slower hard drives may take longer. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are faster than traditional hard drives. During the reset, do not turn off the computer or unplug it — interrupting the process can damage Windows.

Do I need the Windows installation disc or product key?

No. Windows 10 and 11 are tied to your HP computer's hardware, so they reinstall automatically during the factory reset. You do not need a disc or key. If you have a product key for a program you bought separately, keep it safe — you will need it to reinstall that program.

What if I want to keep my files but remove my programs?

Choose "Keep my files" instead of "Remove everything" when the reset tool asks. This reinstalls Windows but leaves your documents, photos, and downloads in place. Your programs will be removed, so you will need to reinstall the ones you use. This is faster than a full reset and useful if your computer is slow but you do not want to lose your files.