What resetting your computer means and when to do it
A factory reset wipes your computer back to the state it left the manufacturer — all your files, programs, and settings are removed, and the operating system is reinstalled fresh. This is different from a restart, which straightforward shuts down and turns the machine back on without erasing anything.
You might reset a computer when it has become too slow to use, when malware has infected it badly enough that antivirus software cannot clean it, when you are selling or giving it away and want to erase your personal data, or when Windows or macOS has become so corrupted that normal fixes no longer work. A reset is also the last step before calling a repair technician, because it rules out software problems.
The process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your machine and internet speed. Your computer will restart multiple times. You will need your Microsoft or Apple password afterward to set up the machine again.
Key Takeaways
- Back up any files you want to keep before starting, because a factory reset removes everything on the drive.
- Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in reset tool in Settings under System > Recovery that does not require installation media.
- macOS users can restart in Recovery Mode and use Erase and Reinstall from the Utilities menu.
- You will need your Microsoft account password (Windows) or Apple ID password (Mac) to complete setup after the reset finishes.
- If the reset fails or your computer will not start, you may need installation media or professional help.
How to 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 menu, 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 if you are selling the computer or dealing with malware. Choose Keep my files only if you want to erase programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and downloads — though this is less thorough and sometimes leaves problems behind.
Next, Windows asks whether to reinstall from the cloud or from local files. Cloud read is slower but more reliable if your Windows installation is corrupted. Local reinstall is faster if your system files are still intact. If you are unsure, choose cloud read.
The reset will begin. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account, create a local user account, or skip this step — you can add accounts later.
How to reset macOS
Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This boots the computer into Recovery Mode. Wait for the macOS Utilities window to appear.
Click Erase Mac (in macOS 13 Ventura and later) or Disk Utility (in earlier versions). If you chose Disk Utility, select your main drive in the left sidebar, click Erase, give it a name, and choose APFS as the format. Click Erase again to confirm.
After the drive is erased, go back to the Utilities menu and click Reinstall macOS. The system will read and install the operating system that originally came with your Mac. This takes 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your internet connection. Your Mac will restart several times.
When setup finishes, you will see the macOS welcome screen. Sign in with your Apple ID to restore your settings and apps from iCloud, or set up as a new Mac if you are erasing it for someone else.
Back up your files before you start
A factory reset removes everything on your hard drive. Before you begin, copy any files you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer.
On Windows, plug in an external drive and open File Explorer. Select your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders, then drag them to the external drive. If you use OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud service, your files there are already backed up — but verify this by logging into the service on another device to confirm your files are there.
On Mac, connect an external drive and open Finder. Go to your home folder (the house icon in the sidebar), then drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop to the external drive. Again, if you use iCloud Drive or another cloud service, your files are already stored elsewhere — but check by opening the service on another device.
This step takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. Do not skip it.
What to do if the reset fails or gets stuck
If your computer restarts but the reset does not begin, or if it gets stuck on a loading screen, force shut it 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 needs a second attempt.
If your Windows computer will not boot into Settings at all, you can use installation media — a USB drive with Windows on it. You can create this on another computer by going to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 for older machines), downloading the Media Creation Tool, and following the on-screen steps. Plug the USB drive into the broken computer, restart it, and press the key shown on screen to boot from USB (usually F12, Delete, or Esc — the key appears briefly during startup). Then choose the option to repair or reset your computer.
If your Mac will not boot into Recovery Mode, or if the reset fails partway through, restart the Mac and try holding Command + Option + R instead, which downloads a newer version of macOS from Apple's servers. This is slower but works when the local recovery partition is damaged.
If the reset still fails after two attempts, or if your computer will not turn on at all, the hard drive may be failing. At that point, a repair technician can run diagnostics and replace the drive if needed.
Set up your computer after the reset
When the reset finishes, your computer will ask you to set it up as if it were brand new. On Windows, you will choose a language, create or sign into a Microsoft account, set a password, and choose privacy settings. On Mac, you will sign into your Apple ID, choose whether to restore from a backup, and set up Siri and other features.
Take your time with this step. If you want to restore your apps and files from a backup, you can do that now — but only if you backed up before the reset. If you did not back up, you will need to reinstall programs and manually copy files back from an external drive.
After setup is complete, run Windows Update (on Windows) or Software Update (on Mac) to read the latest security patches. This usually takes 15 to 45 minutes and may require another restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
A complete factory reset that erases everything will remove most malware, because the malware is deleted along with all your files. However, some advanced malware can hide in the firmware (the code that runs before Windows or macOS loads), so a reset is not a 100 percent may provide. If you suspect serious infection, have a technician scan the computer after the reset.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset permanently erases your files. Once you confirm the reset, the data cannot be recovered unless you backed it up beforehand. This is why backing up is the first step.
How long does a factory reset take?
A reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours on a modern computer with a fast internet connection. Older machines or slow internet may take longer. The computer will restart multiple times — this is normal and expected.
Do I need the Windows or macOS installation disc?
No, not for the built-in reset tools. Windows 10 and 11 can reset without any disc or USB drive. macOS can reset using Recovery Mode, which is built into the computer. You only need installation media if the reset fails or your computer will not start.
What happens to my Microsoft or Apple account after a reset?
Your account itself is not affected — it still exists on Microsoft or Apple's servers. After the reset, you will sign back in with your password during setup, and you can restore your settings and apps from the cloud if you want to.