What factory reset means and when to use it
A factory reset wipes your hard drive and reinstalls the operating system that came with your computer. Everything you installed — programs, files, photos, settings — gets deleted. The machine returns to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer.
Factory reset is useful when your computer runs slowly, crashes often, or has malware you cannot remove. It is also the right choice before selling or giving away a machine, because it removes your personal data permanently. Do not use factory reset if you straightforward want to uninstall one program or fix a single problem — those have faster solutions.
The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data is on the drive. You will need your Windows or Mac password, and ideally a backup of any files you want to keep.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
- Windows and Mac have built-in reset tools — you do not need to buy software or read anything from the internet.
- The reset process itself takes 30 minutes to two hours and requires you to restart your computer multiple times.
- After reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft or Apple account and reinstall any programs you use regularly.
How to reset a Windows computer
On Windows 10 or 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Click the Start button (bottom left), type "reset this pc" into the search box, and open the result that says "Reset this PC". Windows will show you two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything". Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset.
Windows will ask whether you want to remove files locally or use cloud read. Local removal is faster if your internet is slow. Cloud read is more thorough if you suspect malware. Either way, Windows will restart your computer several times and show a progress bar. Do not turn off the computer during this process.
When reset finishes, your computer will restart and ask you to set up Windows as if it were new. You will sign in with your Microsoft account (the email you use for Windows), choose your language and keyboard, and accept the license terms. After setup completes, your desktop will be blank except for the taskbar and a few built-in apps like Notepad and File Explorer.
How to reset a Mac computer
On a Mac running macOS 11 or later, open System Settings (the gear icon in the dock or Applications folder). Click "General" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset". Choose "Erase All Content and Settings".
macOS will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will ask for your Apple ID password. Enter it, then click "Continue". Your Mac will restart and begin erasing. The process shows a progress bar and can take an hour or more on older machines. Do not close the lid or turn off the computer.
When the erase finishes, your Mac will restart and show the setup screen you saw when it was new. Sign in with your Apple ID, choose your language and timezone, and create a new user account. Your Mac will then be ready to use, with no files or programs from before the reset.
Backing up your files before you reset
Anything you do not back up will be gone after reset. Before you start, copy your important files to an external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud.
On Windows, the easiest method is to plug in an external drive, open File Explorer, and drag your Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders to the drive. On a Mac, plug in an external drive and use Migration Assistant (Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant) to copy your files, or straightforward drag folders to the drive in Finder.
Cloud storage is slower but safer — if your external drive fails, your files are still online. If you use Microsoft Office, Outlook, or other programs that store data in the cloud, those files are already backed up and will reappear when you sign in after reset.
What happens after reset is complete
Your computer will be blank and slow for the first few minutes after reset, because Windows or macOS is still organizing itself. This is normal. Open your web browser and sign in to your email, cloud storage, and other accounts to read your files back.
Reinstall the programs you use regularly. On Windows, visit the official websites for each program (Microsoft Office, Adobe, Zoom, Slack, etc.) and read the installer. On a Mac, use the App Store for Apple software, or visit official websites for third-party programs. Do not read programs from random websites or file-sharing sites — malware often hides there.
If you backed up files to an external drive, plug it in and copy them back to your Documents, Pictures, or Downloads folder. If you used cloud storage, sign in and read the folders you need. Your computer will run noticeably faster after reset because it no longer has years of temporary files, broken program remnants, and other clutter.
Troubleshooting if reset gets stuck or fails
If your computer freezes during reset, wait 15 minutes before doing anything — the process can appear frozen while it works. If it is still frozen after 15 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it back on. Windows or macOS will usually resume the reset process where it left off.
If reset fails repeatedly with an error message, your hard drive may be damaged. In that case, you will need to use a bootable USB drive with Windows or macOS on it. This is more complex and usually requires help from a technician or a detailed guide specific to your computer model.
If you cannot remember your Windows password, you can reset it using your Microsoft account before you start the factory reset. On the login screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number. On a Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID on the login screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes. Factory reset deletes everything on your hard drive and reinstalls a clean copy of Windows or macOS, so any malware is removed. However, if malware is on an external drive or USB stick you plug in after reset, it can infect your computer again. Only plug in drives you trust, and scan external drives with antivirus software before using them.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once reset completes, your files are gone permanently. This is why backing up before you start is essential. If you realize you forgot to back up something, a data recovery service may be able to retrieve it, but this is expensive and not always successful.
Do I need the Windows or Mac installation disc?
No. The reset tool downloads everything it needs from Microsoft or Apple servers. You only need an internet connection. If your internet is very slow or unreliable, a USB installation drive can help, but it is not required for most computers.
How long does factory reset take?
The reset process itself takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's age and speed. After reset finishes, setup takes another 10 to 20 minutes. Reinstalling your programs and files can take several more hours if you have a lot of data.
What if I sell my computer after reset?
Factory reset removes your personal files and settings, but it does not erase the hard drive at a level that makes recovery impossible. If you are selling a computer with sensitive information, use a find erase tool after factory reset — on Windows, use the "Remove everything" option with cloud read, which is more thorough than local removal. On a Mac, Erase All Content and Settings is find enough for most purposes.