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. This removes all your files, programs, and settings. You should reset only when your computer has become too slow or buggy to use normally, you are selling or giving it away, or you want to start completely fresh.
A reset is different from a restart. Restarting straightforward shuts down and turns the computer back on—it keeps everything intact. A reset erases everything and reinstalls Windows or macOS from scratch. Once you start a reset, you cannot stop it partway through without losing data.
Before you reset, back up any files you want to keep. Copy them to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive. A reset will delete them permanently.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a reset deletes everything on your computer.
- On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and choose Reset This PC to start the process from inside Windows.
- On a Mac, restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities menu.
- A reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and computer age, and your computer will restart multiple times during the process.
- After the reset completes, you will need to set up Windows or macOS again, including creating a user account and connecting to Wi-Fi.
How to reset a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer
The easiest way to reset Windows is through the Settings app. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left), then type "Settings" and open it. Go to System, then scroll down and click Recovery. You will see a button labeled "Reset this PC"—click it.
Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a full factory reset. The system will then ask whether you want to reinstall Windows using your internet connection or using local files. If your internet is slow or unreliable, choose "Local reinstall." If your connection is fast and stable, either option works.
Windows will show you a summary of what will happen and ask you to confirm. Click Reset. Your computer will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off your computer or unplug it during this time. The process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. Your screen may go black or show a spinning circle for long stretches—this is normal. Your computer will restart several times on its own.
When the reset finishes, your computer will boot into the Windows setup screen. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a user account, choose your language and keyboard layout, and connect to Wi-Fi. You now have a clean Windows installation with no personal files or programs.
How to reset a Mac
On a Mac running macOS 11 (Big Sur) or newer, restart your computer and when ready hold down Command + R while it boots up. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This takes you to Recovery Mode, a special startup environment separate from your main operating system.
Once in Recovery Mode, you will see the macOS Utilities window. Click "Reinstall macOS" (or "Reinstall OS X" on older versions). The system will ask you to choose a disk to install to—select your main hard drive, usually called "Macintosh HD." Click Install and agree to the terms.
Your Mac will read macOS from Apple's servers and reinstall it. This step requires an internet connection and can take 30 minutes to two hours depending on your connection speed. Your Mac will restart multiple times. Do not interrupt the process or close the laptop.
When the installation finishes, your Mac will boot into the setup screen. Follow the prompts to create a user account, choose your language, and set up Wi-Fi. Your Mac is now reset to factory condition.
What to do if your computer will not start normally
If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS at all, you cannot use the normal reset method. Instead, you will need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer and use that to reset your machine.
On Windows, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if you have Windows 10) from another computer. read the Windows installation tool, plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, and follow the tool's prompts to create a bootable drive. Then plug that USB drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press F12, Delete, or Esc during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and follow the Windows installation prompts.
On a Mac that will not start, restart while holding Command + Option + R to read macOS from the internet and reinstall it. This requires a working internet connection but does not need a USB drive. If that does not work, you may need to take your Mac to an Apple Store or authorized repair shop.
Common mistakes to avoid during a reset
The biggest mistake is not backing up your files first. Once a reset starts, your data is gone. Before you do anything, copy your important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
Do not turn off your computer or unplug it while the reset is running. This can corrupt the installation and leave your computer unable to start. If the reset seems stuck on a black screen for more than 30 minutes, wait another 30 minutes before assuming something went wrong. Resets often pause at invisible checkpoints.
Do not remove the USB drive (if you are using one) until the reset is completely finished and Windows or macOS has fully booted. Removing it early will interrupt the installation.
After the reset, do not assume your old programs will work. You will need to reinstall any software you want to use. read the installers from the original websites or app stores.
What happens after your computer finishes resetting
Your computer will boot into a blank operating system with no personal files, no installed programs, and no user data. You will see the setup screen for Windows or macOS, which walks you through creating a user account and connecting to the internet.
Once setup is complete, you will have a desktop with only the default programs that came with the operating system. You can now reinstall the programs you need, restore your files from your backup, and set up your computer the way you want it.
If you are selling or giving away the computer, you are done—the new owner will see a blank machine ready for their own setup. If you are keeping it, restore your backed-up files and reinstall your programs one at a time, testing each one to make sure it works correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my computer make it faster?
A reset removes programs and files that slow down your system, so yes, your computer will usually feel faster when ready after. However, if you reinstall the same programs and files, it will eventually slow down again. A reset is a temporary fix unless you change what you install afterward.
Can I reset my computer without losing my Microsoft or Apple account?
Your account itself is not stored on your computer—it lives on Microsoft or Apple's servers. When you reset and set up again, you can sign in with the same account and your settings, photos, and documents stored in OneDrive or iCloud will sync back to your computer. Local files on your hard drive will still be deleted.
How long does a reset actually take?
A reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours from start to finish, depending on your internet speed, how old your computer is, and how much data needs to be written. Older computers and slow internet connections take longer. The read and installation steps are the slowest parts.
What if I change my mind after starting the reset?
Once the reset process begins and your computer restarts, you cannot stop it without potentially damaging your system. If you have not restarted yet, you can close the reset window and cancel. After the first restart, you must let it finish.
Do I need the original Windows or macOS disc to reset?
No. Windows and macOS can reinstall themselves from the internet or from recovery partitions built into your hard drive. You only need a USB drive if your computer will not start at all. The original discs are not necessary for modern computers.