How to Reset Your Computer to Factory Settings

What resetting your computer means and when to do it

Resetting your computer wipes the hard drive and reinstalls the operating system, returning the machine to the state it was in when it left the factory. Everything you've installed—programs, files, photos, settings—gets deleted. A reset is useful when your computer has slowed to a crawl, won't start properly, has a virus you can't remove, or you're selling or giving it away and want to erase your personal data.

Before you reset, understand that this is not the same as restarting. Restarting just turns the computer off and back on. A reset is permanent and thorough. If you have files you want to keep, back them up to an external drive or cloud storage first—once the reset starts, recovery is difficult and sometimes impossible.

Key Takeaways

Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin, because a reset deletes everything on your computer.
Windows computers reset through Settings > System > Recovery, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
A reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and whether you choose to keep or remove Windows/macOS.
After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft or Apple account and reinstall any programs you use regularly.
If your computer won't start at all, you may need to reset from a bootable USB drive or contact a technician for help.

How to reset a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 11, the reset tool is built into the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app when it appears. Navigate to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery.

You will see two options: "Reset this PC" and "Go back." Click "Reset this PC." Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. If you choose "Keep my files," Windows removes programs and settings but leaves your personal documents, photos, and music. If you choose "Remove everything," the entire drive is wiped. For selling the computer or removing a virus, choose "Remove everything." The process then asks whether you want to reinstall Windows from the cloud or from a local copy—cloud is simpler if your internet is stable.

The reset will take 30 minutes to two hours. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off during this process. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account, choose your privacy settings, and wait while Windows installs drivers and updates. After that, your computer is reset and ready to use.

How to reset a Mac computer

On macOS Monterey and newer, open System Settings (not the older System Preferences). Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset." You will see options including "Erase All Content and Settings." Click that option.

macOS will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will delete all user accounts, data, and settings. If you have multiple user accounts on the Mac, you will need to erase each one separately or erase the entire drive. Click "Continue" to proceed. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password and two-factor authentication code to confirm.

The reset takes 15 to 45 minutes. Your Mac will restart and show the setup screen when it finishes. Sign in with your Apple ID, choose your language and region, and set up FileVault encryption if you want it. Your Mac is then reset to factory condition.

Backing up your files before you reset

The safest backup method is an external hard drive. Plug the drive into your computer, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and drag your important folders to the external drive. Focus on Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop. This usually takes 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

Cloud storage is another option. Services like OneDrive (Windows), iCloud (Mac), Google Drive, or Dropbox let you upload files from your computer and read them later on any device. If you have a lot of files, cloud backup can take several hours, so start it the night before you plan to reset.

For email, export your messages before resetting. In Outlook or Gmail, use the export or read function to save your mail as a file, then store it on the external drive or in cloud storage. The exact steps vary by email provider, so search the provider's help site for "export email" if you are unsure.

What to do after your computer resets

After the reset finishes and you sign in, your computer is blank except for the operating system. You will need to reinstall the programs you use. read them from the official websites or app stores—Microsoft Store for Windows, App Store for Mac. Reinstall your web browser, email client, antivirus software, and any other programs you need regularly.

Restore your backed-up files by plugging in the external drive or logging into your cloud storage account and downloading the folders you saved. This is also a good time to organize your files and delete anything you no longer need.

Update your operating system. Windows and Mac both check for updates automatically, but you can speed this up by going to Settings > Update and Security (Windows) or System Settings > General > Software Update (Mac) and clicking the update button if one is available. Restart your computer when the updates finish installing.

When your computer won't start and you need to reset from a USB drive

If your computer won't boot into Windows or macOS at all, you cannot use the Settings reset tool. Instead, you need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer and use it to reset the broken machine.

For Windows, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if your computer is older) on a working computer. read the Windows installation tool, plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, and follow the tool's steps to create a bootable drive. Then plug the USB drive into the broken computer, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu—usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on the computer brand. Select the USB drive from the menu and follow the Windows setup screens to reset.

For Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R when ready after you hear the startup sound. This boots into Recovery mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Terminal, and type csrutil disable to turn off System Integrity Protection. Restart again, then go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset and choose "Erase All Content and Settings." This method is more technical—if you are not comfortable with it, contact an Apple Store or a local repair technician.

When to call a professional instead

If your computer has a hardware problem—a failing hard drive, broken screen, or damaged motherboard—a reset will not fix it. Signs of hardware failure include strange noises, overheating, or a computer that shuts down randomly even after a reset.

If you have important files on the computer and cannot back them up because the computer won't start, a data recovery service may be able to retrieve them before the reset. This is expensive (typically $300 to $1,000) but worth it if the files are irreplaceable. Contact a local computer repair shop for a quote.

If you are not comfortable with the reset process or your computer has a virus that prevents you from accessing Settings, a technician can do the reset for you. Most repair shops charge $50 to $150 for this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my computer remove a virus?

Yes. A reset wipes the entire hard drive and reinstalls the operating system, which removes viruses, malware, and spyware. However, if the virus is on an external drive or cloud storage, it can reinfect your computer after the reset. Scan any external drives with antivirus software before you reconnect them.

Can I stop a reset once it has started?

You can restart your computer during the reset process, but this may leave the system in an unusable state. It is better to let the reset finish, even if it takes longer than expected. If something goes wrong, you can try the reset again.

Do I need my password to reset my computer?

Yes. Windows and Mac both require you to enter your Microsoft or Apple account password before the reset begins. If you have forgotten your password, use the password recovery option on the sign-in screen before you start the reset.

What if I want to keep my files but remove a program that is causing problems?

You do not need to reset your entire computer. Instead, go to Settings > Apps (Windows) or System Settings > General > Apps (Mac), find the program, and click Uninstall. This removes only that program and leaves your files intact. If the program won't uninstall normally, a reset is the next option.

How long does a reset take?

A Windows reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. A Mac reset takes 15 to 45 minutes. The time depends on your computer's speed, how much data is on the drive, and whether you choose to read Windows from the cloud or use a local copy. Do not turn off your computer during the reset.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.