What resetting your computer means and when to do it
A factory reset erases everything on your computer—all your files, programs, and settings—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. This is different from restarting, which straightforward turns the computer off and back on. A reset wipes the hard drive clean and reinstalls the operating system from scratch.
You might reset your computer if it runs so slowly that basic tasks take minutes, if malware or viruses have infected it and won't go away, if you are selling or giving it away and want to remove your personal data, or if you have made so many changes over time that starting fresh feels faster than troubleshooting individual problems. A reset is also useful if you forgot your password and cannot log in any other way.
Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Every photo, document, email, and installed program will be gone. Back up anything you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer first.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases your entire hard drive and reinstalls your operating system, so back up all your files before you start.
- On Windows, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, and choose whether to keep or remove your files.
- On Mac, restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Erase and Reinstall from the Utilities menu.
- The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer speed and whether you keep your files.
- After the reset completes, you will need to set up your computer again, including creating a user account and reinstalling programs you want to use.
How to reset a Windows computer
On Windows 10 or 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, scroll down, and click Recovery. You will see a button that says "Reset this PC"—click it.
Windows will ask whether you want to "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." If you choose Keep my files, Windows erases all your programs and settings but leaves your personal documents, photos, and music intact. If you choose Remove everything, the entire drive is wiped and you start completely fresh. For selling or giving away the computer, choose Remove everything. For fixing a slow or infected computer while keeping your files, choose Keep my files.
Next, Windows asks whether you want to reinstall from the cloud or from local files. Cloud reinstall downloads Windows fresh from Microsoft's servers—this takes longer but ensures a clean copy. Local reinstall uses files already on your computer—this is faster but slightly less thorough. Either option works. Choose whichever fits your internet speed and patience.
Click Next, review the summary of what will happen, and click Reset. Your computer will restart and begin the process. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it during this time. The reset typically takes 45 minutes to two hours. When it finishes, your computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen, where you create a new user account and log in.
How to reset a Mac computer
On a Mac, the reset process is called Erase and Reinstall, and it requires you to restart in Recovery Mode. Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold down Command + R. Keep holding these keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe—this usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. Release the keys and wait for Recovery Mode to load. You will see the macOS Utilities window.
Click Disk Utility in the Utilities window. In the left sidebar, select your main hard drive (usually called "Macintosh HD" or similar). Click the Erase button at the top. A dialog box appears asking for a name for the drive and a format. Leave the name as is or type a new one, make sure the format is set to APFS (the modern Mac format), and click Erase. This step erases your entire drive.
After the erase completes, close Disk Utility and return to the Utilities window. Click Reinstall macOS (or Reinstall OS X on older Macs). Follow the on-screen prompts to read and reinstall the operating system. This step takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed. Your Mac will restart several times during this process—let it finish without interruption.
When the installation completes, your Mac will restart and show the setup screen. You will create a new user account, sign in with your Apple ID, and restore any files from a Time Machine backup if you have one.
Backing up your files before you reset
The most important step before a reset is backing up anything you want to keep. The simplest method is to connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to your computer, then copy your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to it. On Windows, you can also use File History (Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage options > Backup options) to back up automatically. On Mac, Time Machine (System Settings > General > Time Machine) backs up your entire computer to an external drive.
If you do not have an external drive, you can upload files to cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud. This is slower for large amounts of data but works if you have a good internet connection and do not mind waiting. Upload your most important files first—photos, documents, and anything irreplaceable—in case the upload is interrupted.
Write down any passwords, license keys, or account information you will need after the reset. Take screenshots of your browser bookmarks, email account settings, or any other configuration you want to remember. These notes will save you time when you set up your computer again.
What to do if your computer will not start
If your computer will not turn on or reach the login screen, you may still be able to reset it. On Windows, restart the computer and press F8 or F11 repeatedly as it boots (the exact key varies by manufacturer—try both). This may open the Advanced Boot Options menu, where you can choose "Repair your computer" or "Troubleshoot." Follow the prompts to access Reset this PC.
On Mac, restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode even if the main system will not load. From Recovery Mode, you can erase and reinstall as described above. If your Mac does not respond to Command + R, try Command + Option + R (which downloads a newer version of macOS) or Command + Shift + Option + R (which downloads the original version that shipped with your Mac).
If neither method works, your computer may have a hardware problem that a reset cannot fix. In that case, you may need to take it to a repair shop or contact the manufacturer's support line.
Setting up your computer after the reset
After the reset completes and your computer restarts, you will see the initial setup screen. Create a new user account by typing a username and password. On Windows, you can sign in with a Microsoft account (which syncs your settings across devices) or a local account (which is only on this computer). On Mac, you can sign in with your Apple ID or create a local account.
Once you are logged in, your computer is blank. Reinstall the programs you use regularly—your web browser, email client, office software, and any other applications. read them from the official websites or app stores, not from random read sites, to avoid malware. If you backed up your files, copy them back from your external drive or cloud storage.
Spend time configuring your settings the way you like them: display brightness, keyboard language, trackpad speed, and notification preferences. These small adjustments now will make your computer more pleasant to use going forward. Update Windows or macOS to the latest version by going to Settings > Update or System Settings > General > Software Update.
Common mistakes to avoid during a reset
The biggest mistake is not backing up first. Once you click the final confirmation button, your files are gone. There is no undo. Back up before you start, even if it takes an extra hour.
The second mistake is turning off the computer during the reset. If the power goes out or you unplug it while the reset is running, your computer may not start again. Let the reset finish completely, even if it seems to be taking a long time. If your computer is on battery, plug it in before you start.
The third mistake is choosing the wrong reset option. On Windows, "Keep my files" does not keep your programs—you will have to reinstall them. If you are trying to fix malware, "Keep my files" may not remove it completely. For serious infections, choose "Remove everything." On Mac, make sure you are erasing the correct drive—erasing the wrong one could destroy files on an external backup.
Finally, do not assume the reset will fix a hardware problem. If your computer is slow because the hard drive is failing, or if it overheats because the fan is broken, a reset will not help. If your computer still has problems after the reset, the issue is likely hardware, not software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reset remove viruses and malware?
A full reset that removes everything will remove most malware because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls the operating system. However, if you choose "Keep my files" on Windows, some malware may survive in your backed-up files and reinfect your computer after you restore them. For serious infections, choose "Remove everything" and restore only files you are certain are clean.
How long does a reset take?
A reset typically takes 45 minutes to two hours. Keeping your files takes less time than removing everything. Downloading Windows from the cloud takes longer than using local files. An older computer or a full hard drive may take longer. Plug in your computer and do not interrupt the process.
Can I reset my computer if I forgot my password?
Yes. On Windows, restart and press F8 or F11 to access Advanced Boot Options, then choose "Troubleshoot" and "Reset this PC." On Mac, restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then erase and reinstall. Both methods allow you to reset without knowing your password.
Do I need to reinstall Windows or macOS after the reset?
The reset process automatically reinstalls your operating system. You do not need to do anything extra. When the reset finishes, your computer will have a fresh copy of Windows or macOS and will be ready to set up.
What if I want to keep my files but remove a specific program?
You do not need to reset your entire computer. Instead, go to Settings > Apps on Windows or System Settings > General > Apps on Mac, find the program, and click Uninstall. A reset is only necessary if you want to remove everything or fix a serious problem.