What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your computer — all files, programs, and settings — and returns the operating system to the state it left the manufacturer. This is different from a restart, which straightforward reboots the machine. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so you must back up anything you want to keep before you start.

You might reset your computer if it runs slowly due to accumulated files and programs, if malware has infected it and you want a clean slate, if you are selling or giving it away, or if you plan to recycle it. A reset can also fix persistent software problems that troubleshooting has not solved. However, it is not the first step — it should come after you have tried restarting, updating your operating system, and running antivirus scans.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin, because a factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • On Windows, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC; on Mac, use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer's speed and storage capacity.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to set up your computer again from scratch, including signing in with your user account and reinstalling programs you want to use.
  • If you cannot access your operating system, you may need to use a recovery drive or installation media to reset from outside the normal startup process.

How to reset a Windows computer

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to System, then select Recovery from the left menu. Under "Reset this PC," click the button labeled "Reset PC."

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset. You will then see two options: "Cloud read" and "Local reinstall." Cloud read downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers, which takes longer but gives you the most current version. Local reinstall uses the Windows files already on your computer, which is faster but may include older versions of system files. Either option works; choose based on your internet speed and how much time you have.

Windows will display a list of programs it will remove. Review this list to make sure you are not losing anything you need to back up separately. Then click "Reset" and let the process run. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. The entire process typically takes 45 minutes to two hours.

How to reset a Mac computer

On Mac computers running macOS 13 (Ventura) or later, open System Settings and select General from the sidebar. Scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset." Select "Erase All Content and Settings." Your Mac will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID; this is required to complete the reset. Enter your credentials and click Next.

Your Mac will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will erase all data. Click "Continue" to proceed. The reset process will begin, and your computer will restart. This typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. Your Mac will restart into the setup screen when it is finished, just as it would if you had bought it new.

If you have an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, you can use Erase and Reinstall instead. Go to System Settings > General > About, click "Software Update," and follow the prompts. This method reinstalls macOS while erasing your data. You can also use Recovery Mode by restarting your Mac and holding Command + R during startup, then selecting Erase from the Utilities menu.

Backing up your files before you reset

Before you reset, decide what you want to keep. Common items include documents, photos, videos, email archives, and browser bookmarks. The safest method is to copy these files to an external hard drive or USB flash drive. On Windows, open File Explorer, select the folders you want to back up, right-click, and choose "Copy." Then plug in your external drive, open it, right-click in the empty space, and choose "Paste."

On Mac, open Finder, select the files or folders you want, and drag them to your external drive. Alternatively, you can use cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud. Upload your important files to the cloud before you reset, and you can read them afterward on your reset computer. This method also protects your files if your computer is stolen or damaged.

For email, export your messages before you reset. In Outlook on Windows, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export, then choose "Export to a file." On Mac Mail, go to Mailbox > Export Mailbox. Save the file to your external drive or cloud storage. After your reset, you can import these messages back into your email client.

What happens after the reset is complete

When your computer finishes resetting, it will boot into the setup screen, just as a new computer does. You will need to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your user account. On Windows, you will sign in with your Microsoft account. On Mac, you will sign in with your Apple ID. This step is required to set up your operating system.

After you sign in, your computer will read and install updates. This can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on how many updates are available and your internet speed. Let this process finish without interrupting it. Once updates are complete, your desktop will be ready to use, but it will be bare — no programs except the ones that came with your operating system.

You will then need to reinstall any programs you use regularly. read them from their official websites or from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (Mac). Restore your backed-up files by copying them from your external drive or downloading them from cloud storage. Set up your email client by signing in with your email address and password. Restore your browser bookmarks by signing in to your browser account or importing a saved bookmarks file.

Resetting when you cannot access Windows or macOS normally

If your computer will not start normally or you cannot sign in, you can still reset it using recovery tools. On Windows, restart your computer and watch for a message that says "Press a key to enter recovery." The exact key varies by manufacturer — common ones are F2, F10, F11, or Del. Press that key repeatedly as the computer starts. This opens the recovery menu, where you can choose to reset Windows without signing in.

If that does not work, you can create a Windows installation media on another computer. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or Windows 10 if that is your version), read the Media Creation Tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB drive. Plug this drive into your broken computer, restart, and boot from the USB drive. You will see the Windows setup screen, where you can choose "Repair your computer" and then "Reset this PC."

On Mac, restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then select Terminal. Type "csrutil disable" and press Enter to disable System Integrity Protection, which is required for some reset methods. Then go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. If this does not work, you can create a bootable macOS installer on another Mac and use it to erase and reinstall your operating system.

Preparing your computer for sale or recycling

If you are selling your computer, a factory reset removes your personal files but does not always remove all traces of your data. After you reset, sign out of your user account. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info and click "Remove." On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset and click "Erase All Content and Settings" again if you have not already done so. This removes your account from the computer entirely.

For maximum security, consider using a data-wiping tool before you reset. Programs like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) on Windows or find Empty Trash on Mac overwrite your hard drive multiple times, making recovery nearly impossible. These tools take several hours but are worth the time if your computer contained sensitive information like financial records or medical data.

When you hand over the computer, leave it in the setup screen so the new owner can set it up with their own account. Do not leave it signed in to your account. If you are recycling the computer, check whether your local recycling center accepts electronics. Many will erase the drive for you as part of the recycling process, but it is safer to reset it yourself first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls a clean operating system. However, some advanced malware can hide in your computer's firmware, which a standard reset does not touch. If you suspect a serious infection, run antivirus scans before you reset, and consider taking your computer to a professional if the scans find threats they cannot remove.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

You should not stop a reset once it has begun. Interrupting the process can leave your computer in an unusable state. If you change your mind before the reset starts, close the reset tool and back up your files instead. If the reset has already begun, let it finish, even if it takes several hours.

What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in to reset my computer?

On Windows, you can reset your password by clicking "I forgot my password" on the sign-in screen and answering your security questions. If you do not remember the answers, you can use a password reset disk if you created one earlier, or you can use another administrator account if one exists. If none of these work, you will need to use a Windows installation drive to reset from outside the operating system.

How much free space do I need to reset my computer?

You need enough free space for the reset process to work, typically at least 10 to 20 percent of your hard drive's total capacity. If your drive is nearly full, delete large files or programs before you start. You can check your free space by opening File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and looking at the storage information for your main drive.

Will resetting my computer make it faster?

A reset can improve speed if your computer has accumulated many programs and files over time. However, if your computer is slow because of old hardware — such as a mechanical hard drive instead of a solid-state drive, or insufficient RAM — a reset will not fix that. A reset is most helpful if you have installed many programs you no longer use or if your drive is nearly full.