What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your computer back to the state it left the manufacturer—erasing all your files, programs, and settings, then reinstalling the original operating system. This is different from a regular restart, which just closes and reopens everything running right now.

You might need a factory reset if your computer has become too slow to use, won't start up properly, has a virus or malware you can't remove, or you're selling or giving it away. It's also the nuclear option when nothing else fixes persistent crashes or freezing.

Before you start, understand that a factory reset destroys everything on your hard drive that isn't part of the original system. Back up any files you want to keep—photos, documents, downloads—to an external drive or cloud storage first. This step takes time but is not optional.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your personal files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset permanently deletes everything except the original operating system.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
  • 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 several hours depending on your computer's speed and whether you choose to keep or remove Windows installation files.
  • After the reset finishes, your computer will restart and ask you to set up Windows or macOS as if it were brand new.

How to factory reset a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 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 Reset PC button.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset. The next screen asks whether you want to remove files and clean the drive—choose "Remove files and clean the drive" if you're selling the computer or giving it away, because this makes deleted files harder to recover. If you're keeping the computer, "Remove files" is faster.

Windows will then ask how you want to reinstall the operating system. "Cloud read" downloads Windows from Microsoft's servers (requires internet but is usually faster). "Local reinstall" uses files already on your computer (faster if your internet is slow). Choose whichever matches your situation, then click Next. Windows will show you a summary of what will happen—review it, then click Reset to begin.

The process takes 20 minutes to an hour. Your computer will restart several times. When it finishes, you'll see the Windows setup screen asking for your language, region, and keyboard layout, just like a brand-new computer. Sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account, and you're done.

How to factory reset a Mac computer

On a Mac running macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer, click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Transfer or Reset. Click Erase All Content and Settings.

Your Mac will warn you that this will erase everything and ask for your Apple ID password. Enter it, then click Continue. If you have FileVault encryption turned on (which most modern Macs do), macOS will ask whether to keep or erase the recovery key—you can skip this unless you specifically need it. Click Erase to start.

The process takes 15 to 45 minutes. Your Mac will restart and show the setup screen. Sign in with your Apple ID or create a new account, choose your language and keyboard, and set up iCloud if you want it. Your Mac is now reset to factory condition.

If you have an older Mac running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or earlier, the process is different. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R while it boots to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Terminal. Type csrutil disable and press Enter (this disables System Integrity Protection temporarily). Restart normally, then go to System Preferences > Erase and Reinstall macOS. If this feels unfamiliar, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store—older Macs have more variation in the process.

What to do before you reset

Back up your files first. On Windows, plug in an external hard drive or USB stick, open File Explorer, and copy your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. On a Mac, plug in an external drive, open Finder, and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, make sure your important files are synced there—they'll be safe even if your computer is wiped.

Write down or screenshot any programs you use regularly, because you'll need to read and reinstall them after the reset. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, Slack, and antivirus software all need to be reinstalled. If you have license keys for paid software, find them now—you may need them to reinstall.

Sign out of all accounts before you reset. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts and note which email addresses are signed in. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Sign Out. This prevents you from being locked out after the reset.

If your computer won't start at all, you cannot use the normal reset process. Windows computers can be reset from a USB installation drive (you'll need another computer to create one). Macs can be reset from Recovery Mode by holding Command + R during startup. These processes are more complex—if your computer won't boot, contact a repair shop or the manufacturer's support line.

What happens after the reset is complete

Your computer will restart and show the initial setup screen, just like it did when it was brand new. You'll choose your language, region, and keyboard layout. Then you'll sign in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). This account becomes your main user account on the computer.

After setup finishes, you'll have a clean desktop with only the programs that came with the operating system. Windows includes Notepad, Paint, and a web browser. Macs include Safari, Mail, and other Apple apps. Everything else is gone.

Reinstall your programs one at a time. read them from the official websites or app stores (Microsoft Store on Windows, App Store on Mac). Reinstall your antivirus software first, before you read anything else. Then reinstall the programs you use regularly. Restore your backed-up files from your external drive or cloud storage.

Update Windows or macOS as soon as you can. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows) or System Settings > General > Software Update (Mac) and install all available updates. This patches security holes and fixes bugs.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed reset

If the reset starts but gets stuck on a loading screen for more than two hours, force your computer to shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and try the reset again. Sometimes the process gets interrupted by a background task or a network hiccup.

If you see an error message like "Something went wrong" or "We couldn't reset your PC," write down the error code. On Windows, go back to Settings > System > Recovery and try again, but this time choose the opposite reinstall method (if you chose Cloud read, try Local Reinstall). On a Mac, restart and try Erase All Content and Settings again.

If the reset fails repeatedly, your hard drive may be failing. This is rare but possible. Contact the manufacturer's support line or take the computer to a repair shop—they can run diagnostics to check the drive's health. If the drive is failing, it will need to be replaced before a reset can work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a factory reset removes all viruses and malware because it deletes everything on the hard drive except the original operating system. However, if malware infected your backup files before you backed them up, restoring those files will reinfect your computer. Scan your backup files with antivirus software before you restore them, or restore them one folder at a time and monitor your computer for problems.

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

On Windows, you can click Cancel during the initial setup screen before the reset actually begins. Once the reset starts and you see "Resetting your PC" with a progress bar, stopping it mid-process can damage your operating system and make your computer unusable. Let it finish. On a Mac, you can close the Erase All Content and Settings window before you click Erase, but once the process starts, let it complete.

Do I need my Windows product key to reset my computer?

If you're resetting a Windows computer that came with Windows pre-installed (most new computers), your product key is stored in the hardware and will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you bought Windows separately and installed it yourself, you may need to enter the product key during setup. Have it handy just in case, but most people won't need it.

How long does a factory reset take?

A Windows reset usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. A Mac reset usually takes 15 to 45 minutes. The time depends on how fast your computer is, how much data is on the hard drive, and whether you chose to securely erase files (which takes longer). Don't interrupt the process or turn off your computer during the reset.

What if I forgot my password before resetting?

If you can't sign in to your computer, you cannot start a factory reset from the normal settings menu. On Windows, restart your computer and try the reset from the login screen—click "I forgot my password" and follow the prompts to reset it using your Microsoft account. On a Mac, restart and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access account recovery options. If neither works, you'll need to contact Microsoft or Apple support, or take the computer to a repair shop.