Windows 10 reset removes your files and programs, then reinstalls the operating system from scratch

A factory reset in Windows 10 wipes your computer and returns it to the state it was in when you first turned it on. You have two choices: keep your personal files and remove only programs and settings, or erase everything. Both routes reinstall Windows 10 itself. The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and which option you choose.

You do not need a Windows installation disc or USB drive for either method. Windows 10 stores a recovery image on your hard drive, so the reset happens entirely from within your system. If your computer will not start at all, you will need a different approach — but if Windows loads far enough for you to see the desktop or the login screen, you can reset from there.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 reset erases programs and settings but can preserve your personal files if you choose the "keep my files" option.
  • The reset process lives in Settings under System, and takes you through a step-by-step wizard that asks what you want to keep.
  • A full reset that removes everything takes longer but solves more problems, including malware and corrupted system files.
  • Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because even the "keep files" option can fail.
  • After reset completes, you will need to reinstall your programs and sign back into your accounts.

Reset Windows 10 while keeping your personal files

This option removes all your programs and settings but leaves documents, photos, and other personal files on your computer. Use this route if your computer is slow or buggy but you do not want to reinstall everything from scratch.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar. Select Recovery near the bottom of the list. Under "Reset this PC", click get your free guide. Windows will ask "Do you want to keep your files or remove everything?" — select Keep my files.

Windows will show you a list of programs it will remove. Review the list to see what you will lose, then click Next. The wizard will ask whether you want to reinstall Windows from the cloud or from your local drive. Local is faster if your internet is slow; cloud is safer if your hard drive is damaged. Choose whichever applies to you, then click Reset. Your computer will restart and the process will begin. Do not turn off your computer during this time.

Reset Windows 10 and erase everything

This option removes all your files, programs, and settings, leaving only a fresh Windows 10 installation. Use this if you are selling or giving away your computer, if you suspect malware, or if your computer has serious problems that a partial reset did not fix.

Open Settings, go to System, then Recovery. Click get your free guide under "Reset this PC". When Windows asks what you want to do, select Remove everything. The wizard will ask whether you want to reinstall from the cloud or from your local drive — choose based on your internet speed and hard drive health, as described above. Click Reset to begin.

Windows will restart and show a progress screen. The reset can take one to two hours on older computers. Your screen may go black or show "Preparing your PC" for long stretches — this is normal. Do not interrupt the process. When it finishes, your computer will restart and show the Windows 10 setup screen, as if it were brand new.

What to do before you reset

Back up your important files before you start, even if you plan to keep them. The "keep my files" option usually works, but failures happen — a power loss during reset, a corrupted hard drive, or a bug can erase files you expected to save. An external hard drive or cloud storage service like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox takes 15 minutes to set up and can save you from losing years of photos or documents.

Write down any passwords or account information you will need after the reset. Your computer will forget your Wi-Fi password, your email passwords, and any saved login information. If you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows, you will need that email and password to sign back in after reset. If you use a local account, write down that password too.

Uninstall any programs you do not want to reinstall. If you have software you paid for or licenses you need to reactivate, check whether you have the installation files or license keys before you reset. Some programs, like Microsoft Office, require you to sign in again after reset.

What happens after the reset completes

When your computer restarts after a full reset, it will show the Windows 10 setup screen. You will need to choose your language, accept the license agreement, and sign into your Microsoft account or create a local account. This takes about 10 minutes.

After setup finishes, your desktop will be empty except for the Recycle Bin. You will need to reinstall your programs. If you kept your files, they will be in your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders — but programs like Outlook, Photoshop, or Chrome will not be there. read and install them again from their official websites or from the Microsoft Store.

Windows Update will run automatically and read security updates. This can take 30 minutes to an hour. Let it finish before you restart your computer again.

Reset Windows 10 from the login screen if your computer will not start normally

If Windows loads the login screen but will not go further, or if your computer is too slow to use, you can reset from the login screen without signing in. On the login screen, look for a power icon in the bottom right corner. Click it, then hold Shift and click Restart. Your computer will boot into Windows Recovery Environment.

In Recovery Environment, click Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. From there, the reset process is the same as the method described above — you choose whether to keep files or erase everything, then let Windows do the work.

What to do if reset fails or your computer will not start at all

If your computer will not reach the login screen or the recovery screen, you will need a Windows 10 installation USB drive. You can create one on another computer using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, which Microsoft provides free on their website. read it, plug in a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger), run the tool, and follow the prompts. This takes about 20 minutes.

Plug the USB drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu — usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your computer's brand. Select the USB drive from the menu. Windows will load from the USB, and you can choose to repair or reset your installation from there.

If even this does not work, your hard drive may be failing. A computer repair shop can run diagnostics and tell you whether the drive needs replacement. This is usually cheaper than buying a new computer, but it depends on your computer's age and the cost of a new drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reset remove viruses and malware?

A full reset that erases everything will remove most malware, because it wipes your hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. However, some advanced malware can hide in your computer's firmware or BIOS, which reset does not touch. If you suspect serious malware, have a repair shop scan your computer after reset, or consider replacing the hard drive entirely.

Can I undo a reset after it starts?

No. Once the reset process begins, you cannot stop it without breaking your Windows installation. This is why backing up your files first is so important. If you realize mid-reset that you made a mistake, let it finish rather than turning off your computer.

How long does reset take?

A partial reset that keeps your files usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. A full reset that erases everything can take one to two hours, depending on your hard drive speed and computer age. Older computers and slower hard drives take longer.

Do I need the Windows 10 product key after reset?

If you have a Microsoft account, Windows will reactivate automatically when you sign in after reset. If you use a local account, Windows may ask for a product key. If you do not have one, you can skip this step and Windows will still work, though you may see a watermark on your desktop.

What if I reset but my computer is still slow?

Slowness after reset usually means you have reinstalled the same programs that were causing the problem. Check your startup programs — press Windows key plus R, type "msconfig", and click the Startup tab to see what runs when your computer starts. Disable programs you do not need to launch automatically. If slowness persists, your hard drive may be failing or your computer may not have enough RAM.