What Resetting Windows 10 Means and When to Do It
Resetting Windows 10 removes all your personal files, programs, and settings and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. It is different from restarting your computer — a restart straightforward turns the system off and back on. A reset wipes the drive clean and returns Windows to the state it was in when you first bought the computer.
You should reset Windows 10 when your computer has become too slow to use, when malware or viruses have infected it and regular removal tools have not worked, when you are selling or giving away the computer, or when you want to start fresh after years of installing and uninstalling programs. A reset can also fix persistent crashes or error messages that troubleshooting has not solved.
Before you reset, understand that you will lose everything on your computer unless you back it up first. Windows 10 gives you the option to keep your personal files during a reset, but all your installed programs will be removed and you will need to reinstall them afterward.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 has two reset options: keep your files and remove programs only, or erase everything on the drive.
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because a full reset deletes all data.
- The reset process takes 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your computer's speed and which option you choose.
- After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account and reinstall any programs you want to keep.
- If your computer will not start normally, you can reset it using a Windows 10 installation media on a USB drive.
Back Up Your Files Before You Start
The most important step is to save copies of your files somewhere outside your computer. If you choose the option to keep your personal files during the reset, Windows will preserve documents, photos, and music in your user folder. However, if anything goes wrong during the reset or if you choose the full erase option, you will have no way to recover them.
Connect an external hard drive or USB drive to your computer and copy your important files to it. You can also use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox — sign in to your account, upload your files, and they will be safe even if your computer fails. Make a list of the programs you use regularly so you remember what to reinstall after the reset.
Reset Windows 10 Using Settings
The easiest way to reset Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner, then type "Settings" and open the Settings app. Click "System" in the left menu, then scroll down and click "Recovery."
Under the "Reset this PC" section, click the "get your free guide" button. Windows will ask you to choose between two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." If you choose "Keep my files," Windows will remove all your programs but preserve your documents, photos, and other personal data in your user folder. If you choose "Remove everything," the entire drive will be erased and you will start completely fresh.
After you select your option, Windows will show you a list of programs that will be removed. Review the list to make sure you are not losing anything you need to back up separately. Click "Reset" to begin. Your computer will restart several times during the process, which typically takes 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your computer's speed.
What Happens During and After the Reset
Once the reset starts, your computer will restart and show a progress screen. Do not turn off your computer or unplug it during this time — let the process run to completion. You may see a black screen for several minutes; this is normal. The computer will restart multiple times as Windows reinstalls itself.
When the reset finishes, your computer will boot into Windows 10 as if it were brand new. You will see the setup screen asking you to choose your language, accept the license agreement, and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one or sign in with a local account instead.
After you sign in, Windows will install any updates that have been released since your computer was manufactured. This can take 15 to 30 minutes. Once updates finish, your desktop will appear. If you chose "Keep my files," your documents and photos will be in your user folder, but you will need to reinstall all your programs from scratch.
Reinstall Your Programs After the Reset
After the reset completes and Windows has finished updating, you will need to reinstall the programs you use. Open the Microsoft Store to read free programs like Notepad++, VLC media player, or 7-Zip. For paid programs or software that is not in the Microsoft Store, visit the publisher's website, read the installer, and run it on your computer.
Keep your installation discs, product keys, and read links in one place so you can find them quickly. Many programs will ask for a product key or login information during installation, so have that information ready. Once you have reinstalled your essential programs, you can restore your files from the external drive or cloud storage you backed up earlier.
Reset Windows 10 When Your Computer Will Not Start
If your computer will not start normally or gets stuck on the login screen, you can still reset Windows 10 using a USB drive with Windows 10 installation media. You will need another working computer and a USB drive with at least 8 gigabytes of storage space.
On the working computer, go to the Microsoft Windows 10 read page and read the Media Creation Tool. Run the tool, select "Create installation media for another PC," and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive. Plug the USB drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu — this is usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your computer's manufacturer. Select the USB drive from the boot menu and Windows will start the installation process. When you reach the screen that asks where to install Windows, click "Repair your computer" in the bottom left corner, then select "Troubleshoot" and "Reset this PC."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is not backing up your files before you start. Even if you choose the option to keep your files, unexpected errors can happen. Always save copies of important documents, photos, and videos to an external drive or cloud storage first.
Do not turn off your computer or unplug it during the reset process. Let it run to completion even if it seems stuck on a black screen for several minutes. Interrupting the reset can leave your computer in an unusable state.
Do not assume your programs will still be there after the reset. Even if you chose "Keep my files," all installed programs are removed. Make a list of what you use before you start so you remember what to reinstall.
If you are selling or giving away your computer, use the "Remove everything" option, not "Keep my files." This ensures that no personal data remains on the drive for the next owner to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting Windows 10 remove my Microsoft account?
No. After the reset, Windows will ask you to sign in again with your Microsoft account. Your account itself is not deleted — it is stored on Microsoft's servers. You will sign in with the same email and password you used before.
Can I cancel a reset once it has started?
Not safely. Once the reset process begins, you should let it finish. Stopping it midway can damage Windows and make your computer unusable. If you realize you made a mistake before the reset starts, close the Settings window and do not click the final "Reset" button.
How long does a Windows 10 reset take?
A reset typically takes 20 minutes to over an hour. Older computers or those with large hard drives may take longer. The process includes reinstalling Windows, installing updates, and restarting multiple times. Do not interrupt it even if it seems slow.
What is the difference between "Keep my files" and "Remove everything"?
"Keep my files" removes all programs but preserves your documents, photos, music, and videos in your user folder. "Remove everything" erases the entire drive, including all personal files. Use "Keep my files" if you want to preserve your data, and "Remove everything" if you are selling the computer or want a completely clean start.
Do I need a Windows 10 product key to reset my computer?
No. If Windows 10 was already installed on your computer when you bought it, the license is tied to your hardware. After the reset, Windows will automatically reactivate when you sign in with your Microsoft account. You only need a product key if you are installing Windows 10 on a different computer.