What resetting to factory settings does

A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns your computer to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. This wipes your hard drive completely — every document, photo, email, and installed program is deleted. After the reset finishes, you'll see the same setup screen you saw the first time you turned the computer on.

People reset computers for a few reasons: selling or giving away the machine, fixing severe software problems that won't respond to other solutions, or starting fresh after malware or a virus. It's a last resort, not a first step, because you lose everything that isn't backed up elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because a factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • Windows and Mac have built-in reset tools in Settings — you don't need to buy software or use a disc.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data is on it.
  • After the reset completes, you'll need to reinstall your programs and sign back into your accounts.
  • If your computer won't start or you forgot your password, you may need to use a bootable USB drive or contact a technician.

Back up your files before you start

Before you reset anything, copy every file you want to keep to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. This includes documents, photos, videos, email archives, and any other files you care about. A factory reset is permanent — once it's done, those files are gone.

If you use cloud storage already (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud), your files there are safe. But check your Downloads folder, Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders for anything you've saved locally. If you use email on your computer, export your email folders before you reset — most email programs have an export or backup option in the menu.

Write down any program license keys or passwords you'll need later. Some programs ask for a license key when you reinstall them, and you won't be able to look it up on your computer after the reset.

Reset a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Click the Start button, type "reset this pc" into the search box, and open the "Reset this PC" option. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything — choose "Remove everything" for a full factory reset.

Next, Windows asks whether you want to remove your files and clean the drive, or just remove your files. Choose "Remove files and clean the drive" if you're selling or giving away the computer — this makes it harder for someone to recover deleted files. If you're keeping the computer, "Remove files" is faster.

Windows will then ask how you want to reinstall Windows: from the cloud or from local files. Cloud reinstall downloads Windows from Microsoft's servers, which takes longer but uses less space on your drive. Local reinstall uses files already on your computer and is faster. Either option works. Windows will restart several times during the process, which can take 30 minutes to two hours.

Reset a Mac computer

On a Mac running macOS 11 or newer, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, then click Transfer or Reset. Choose "Erase All Content and Settings." Your Mac will ask for your Apple ID password and will restart.

On older Macs, restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Disk Utility. Select your hard drive from the list on the left, click Erase at the top, and confirm. This wipes your drive. Then close Disk Utility, click the Apple menu, and choose "Reinstall macOS" to put a fresh copy of the operating system back on the computer.

The Mac reset process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. Your Mac will restart multiple times. When it finishes, you'll see the setup screen where you can sign in with your Apple ID.

What to do if your computer won't start

If your computer won't boot into Windows or macOS at all, you can't use the built-in reset tool. Instead, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer and use that to reset your machine.

For Windows, read the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website on a working computer. Plug in a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger), run the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable drive. Then plug that drive into the computer you want to reset, restart it, and press F12, F2, or Delete (depending on your computer brand) to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and follow the Windows setup prompts.

For Mac, use another Mac to create a bootable macOS installer. Go to the App Store, search for the macOS version you want, and read it. Plug in a USB drive, open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, and name it "Installer." Then open Terminal (in Applications > Utilities) and paste the command for your macOS version — Apple's support pages list the exact command for each version. Once the drive is ready, restart your broken Mac while holding Option, select the USB drive, and reinstall macOS.

After the reset is complete

When your computer finishes resetting, it will ask you to set up Windows or macOS as if it's brand new. You'll create a user account, sign in with your Microsoft or Apple ID, and choose your settings. Take your time here — you can change most of these later.

Once you're logged in, reinstall the programs you use. read them from their official websites or from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (Mac). Sign back into your email, cloud storage, and other accounts. Restore your files from the backup you made before the reset.

Windows and Mac will read and install updates automatically, which can take a while on a freshly reset computer. Let this happen overnight if you can — don't shut down your computer while updates are running.

When to call a technician instead

If your computer won't start and you're not comfortable creating a bootable USB drive, or if you forgot your Windows or Mac password and can't reset it, a local computer repair shop can handle the reset for you. This costs between $50 and $150 depending on your location and the shop.

If your hard drive is making clicking or grinding noises, or if your computer is overheating and shutting down, the problem may be hardware rather than software. A factory reset won't fix a failing hard drive or a broken fan. A technician can diagnose whether the issue is something a reset will solve or something that needs a replacement part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware?

Yes. A factory reset deletes everything on your hard drive, including any viruses or malware. This is one of the most reliable ways to remove a serious infection. However, make sure you back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage first — don't restore files from an infected backup, or you'll put the malware back on your computer.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset is permanent. Files you didn't back up are gone. This is why backing up before you start is so important. If you realize you need a file after the reset, a data recovery service might be able to retrieve it, but this is expensive and doesn't always work.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how fast your computer is and how much data is on it. Older computers or computers with large hard drives take longer. Don't interrupt the process — let it run until your computer restarts and shows the setup screen.

Do I need the Windows or Mac installation disc?

No. Modern Windows and Mac computers can reset and reinstall the operating system without a disc. The reset tool downloads what it needs from the internet or uses files already on your drive. You only need a bootable USB drive if your computer won't start at all.

Will my programs be installed after the reset?

No. A factory reset removes all programs. You'll need to reinstall everything you use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, Photoshop, or whatever else you need. read them from their official websites or app stores after the reset is complete.