What Resetting Windows 10 Means and When to Do It

Resetting Windows 10 wipes your computer back to the state it came in from the factory, removing all your files, programs, and settings. This is different from restarting—a restart just turns the computer off and back on. A reset erases everything and reinstalls Windows from scratch.

You might reset your computer if it runs slowly after years of use, if malware has infected it badly, if you are selling or giving it away, or if Windows has become so broken that normal fixes do not work. Reset is also useful if you inherited a computer and want a clean start without the previous owner's files and programs.

Windows 10 gives you two reset paths: Keep My Files removes programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and music alone. Remove Everything deletes all files and programs, leaving only a blank Windows installation. Choose based on whether you want to save your personal files.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 offers two reset options: Keep My Files (removes programs but saves documents) and Remove Everything (erases all files and programs).
  • Back up any files you want to keep before starting a reset, because Remove Everything cannot be undone.
  • The reset process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your computer speed and which option you choose.
  • You can start a reset from Settings > System > Recovery without needing a Windows disc or USB drive.
  • If your computer will not start, you can reset from the login screen or use a Windows installation media as a backup method.

How to Reset from Settings When Windows Starts Normally

If your computer boots up and you can log in, the easiest path is through Settings. Click the Windows Start button (bottom left corner), then type "Reset this PC" into the search box. Open the result labeled Reset this PC.

You will see a window with a blue button that says get your free guide. Click it. Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose based on what you need. If you are unsure, choose Keep My Files—you can always delete programs later if you want a cleaner system.

After you choose, Windows lists what will happen. Read it carefully. If you chose Remove Everything, Windows warns you that all files will be deleted. Click Next, then Reset. Your computer will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off the computer during this time—it can take 20 minutes to an hour depending on your machine.

Backing Up Your Files Before You Reset

If you are choosing Remove Everything, back up any files you want to keep first. The simplest method is to copy them to an external hard drive or USB stick. Plug in the external drive, open File Explorer, and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. This takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

If you have a lot of files, you can also use Windows Backup. Open Settings, go to System, then About, and look for Backup settings. Click it and choose an external drive as your backup location. Windows will copy everything automatically—you can start the reset while it runs in the background.

For Keep My Files resets, backup is less critical because your documents stay on the computer. However, it is still wise to back up anything important, because bugs during the reset process are rare but possible.

Resetting When Windows Will Not Start

If your computer will not boot into Windows normally, you can still reset from the login screen. Restart your computer and watch for a message that says "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" or similar. If you see this, do not press anything—let it time out and boot normally. Once you reach the login screen, look for a power icon in the bottom right corner. Click it, hold Shift, and click Restart. This boots into recovery mode.

In recovery mode, you will see a blue screen with options. Click Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and follow the same steps as the Settings method above. If recovery mode does not appear, your computer may need a Windows installation media to reset.

Using Windows Installation Media as a Backup Reset Method

If your computer will not start and recovery mode does not work, you can reset using a Windows 10 installation USB drive or DVD. You will need another computer to create this media. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 on a working computer, read the Media Creation Tool, and follow its steps to make a bootable USB drive.

Plug the USB drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press the key that appears on screen to boot from USB (usually F12, Delete, or Esc—the exact key depends on your computer brand). Once the Windows setup screen appears, click Repair your computer at the bottom left, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. From there, the process is the same as resetting from Settings.

This method is slower and requires another computer, so use it only if your computer will not start any other way.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

When the reset finishes, your computer restarts and boots into Windows Setup, the same screen you would see on a brand-new computer. You will be asked to choose your language, accept the license agreement, and create or sign in with a Microsoft account. If you kept your files, they will be in your user folder after setup finishes.

After setup, Windows will read and install updates, which can take 30 minutes to an hour. Let this finish—do not turn off the computer. Once updates are done, your computer is reset and ready to use. You will need to reinstall any programs you want (Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, etc.) because the reset removed them.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

If the reset gets stuck on a loading screen for more than two hours, restart your computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Then try the reset again. If it gets stuck a second time, use the Windows installation media method instead.

If you chose Keep My Files but some files are missing after the reset, check your user folder (C:\Users\YourUsername). Files sometimes end up in unexpected locations. If a file is truly gone, it cannot be recovered after a reset—this is why backup matters.

If Windows will not install after the reset begins, your hard drive may be failing. In this case, you will need to replace the hard drive or take the computer to a repair shop. A reset cannot fix hardware problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop a reset once it starts?

Yes, but only in the first few minutes before the actual deletion begins. If you see the reset screen asking you to confirm, you can click Cancel. Once the progress bar appears and files start deleting, stopping the reset can damage Windows and make your computer unusable. Let it finish.

Will resetting remove viruses and malware?

A full reset (Remove Everything) will remove most malware because it deletes all files and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in your hard drive's firmware. If you suspect serious infection, a reset is a good first step, but consider taking the computer to a professional if problems continue after reset.

Do I need a Windows product key to reset?

No. If Windows 10 was already installed on your computer, the license is tied to your hardware. When you reset, Windows will reactivate automatically after you sign in with your Microsoft account. You do not need to enter a product key.

How long does a full reset take?

A reset usually takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your computer's speed and hard drive size. Older computers and large hard drives take longer. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are faster than traditional hard drives. Do not interrupt the process—let it run to completion.

What is the difference between reset and refresh?

Windows 10 no longer uses the term "refresh." Reset is the only built-in option for returning your computer to factory state. If you have heard of refresh in older Windows versions, reset is the modern equivalent and works the same way.