What factory reset means and when to do it
A factory reset wipes your computer back to the state it left the manufacturer — all your files, programs, and settings are removed, and the operating system is reinstalled fresh. This is different from a regular restart. It erases everything on your hard drive and starts over.
You might need a factory reset if 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. It's also the nuclear option when troubleshooting has failed — sometimes a clean slate is faster than hunting through corrupted files or conflicting software.
Before you start, understand that this cannot be undone. Everything you haven't backed up will be gone. If you have files, photos, or documents you want to keep, copy them to an external drive or cloud storage first.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
- On Windows, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC; on Mac, restart in Recovery Mode and use Erase and Reinstall from Utilities.
- You will need your Windows product key or Apple ID password to complete the reset and sign back in afterward.
- The process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your computer's speed and whether you keep personal files during the reset.
- After the reset completes, you'll need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup.
How to factory reset a Windows computer
On Windows 10 or 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Click the Start button, type "Reset this PC" into the search box, and open the result. You'll see two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." Choose based on what you need — keeping files is faster but leaves behind some settings and program remnants, while removing everything is the true factory reset.
If you choose "Remove everything," Windows will ask whether you want to remove files locally or use cloud read. Local removal is faster if your internet is slow; cloud read downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers, which can catch corruption that local removal might miss. Either way, Windows will restart several times during the process — this is normal, and you should not turn off your computer.
You'll need your Windows product key to sign back in after the reset. If you don't have it written down, you can find it by opening Command Prompt as administrator before you reset, typing wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey, and copying the result. Store it somewhere safe.
How to factory reset a Mac
On a Mac, restart your computer and hold down Command + R as it boots up. This launches Recovery Mode. Once you see the macOS Utilities window, open Disk Utility, select your main hard drive (usually called "Macintosh HD"), and click Erase. Choose APFS as the format and give it a name — you can use the original name or something new.
After erasing, quit Disk Utility and return to the Utilities window. Select "Reinstall macOS" and follow the prompts. The system will read and install a fresh copy of macOS — this can take an hour or more depending on your internet speed. Your Mac will restart multiple times; do not interrupt this process.
You'll need your Apple ID and password to complete the setup and sign in to your Mac after the reset. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it through Apple's account recovery page before you start, so you have it ready.
Backing up your files before you reset
The safest backup method is an external hard drive. Plug it in, copy your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to the drive, and verify the files are there before you proceed. On Windows, you can also use File History (Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Options > Backup Options) to automate this. On Mac, Time Machine (System Settings > General > Time Machine) creates hourly backups to an external drive.
Cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud also works, but uploading large amounts of data can take hours. If you use cloud storage, start the upload the night before you plan to reset. Don't rely on cloud storage alone for irreplaceable files — combine it with an external drive for safety.
Make a list of the programs you use regularly before you reset. After the reset, you'll need to read and install them again. If you have license keys for paid software, gather those too — you'll need them to reactivate the programs.
What to expect during and after the reset
The reset process itself takes 30 minutes to several hours. Your computer will restart multiple times, show progress screens, and may appear to freeze for a few minutes — this is normal. Do not turn off your computer, unplug it, or close the lid during this time. If your computer does shut down unexpectedly, plug it back in and restart it; Windows and macOS can usually resume where they left off.
Once the reset finishes, your computer will boot into the setup screen as if it's brand new. You'll create a user account, sign in with your Microsoft or Apple ID, and choose your privacy settings. Take your time here — these choices affect how your computer behaves going forward.
After setup, your desktop will be empty. Restore your files from your backup drive, then read and install your programs one by one. Check that each program works before moving to the next. This is also a good time to uninstall programs you no longer use — you don't have to reinstall everything.
When to call a professional instead
If your computer won't start at all, or if it starts but you can't reach the reset menu, you may need a technician. A computer that won't boot into Windows or macOS usually needs a bootable recovery drive, which requires another computer and some technical steps. A local repair shop can handle this faster than learning it yourself.
If you're concerned about data recovery — for example, you deleted files months ago and now realize you need them — do not attempt a factory reset. Take the computer to a data recovery specialist first. Once you reset, recovery becomes much harder and more expensive.
If your computer has a hardware problem (a failing hard drive, for example), a factory reset won't fix it. If the computer still runs slowly or crashes after the reset, the issue is likely hardware, not software, and you'll need professional diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop the reset once it starts?
You can cancel before the process begins, but once it starts erasing your drive, stopping it mid-way can leave your computer in an unusable state. If you need to cancel, do it during the initial setup screens before the erase begins. If the erase has already started, let it finish.
Will a factory reset remove viruses?
Yes, a factory reset removes viruses because it deletes everything on your hard drive and reinstalls the operating system fresh. However, if the virus is on an external drive or in cloud storage, it will still be there. Scan any backup drives with antivirus software before you restore files from them.
Do I need the Windows or macOS installation disc?
No. Windows 10, Windows 11, and modern versions of macOS can reset and reinstall themselves without a disc. The reset tool downloads what it needs from Microsoft or Apple's servers. You only need an internet connection and enough time for the read.
What if I forget my password after the reset?
On Windows, you can reset your password using another account on the computer, or by using a Microsoft account recovery page if you've linked your local account to one. On Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password during login, or boot into Recovery Mode and use the Reset Password utility. Have your recovery information ready before you reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
A typical factory reset takes 30 minutes to two hours on a modern computer with a solid-state drive. Older computers with traditional hard drives can take three to four hours. The read and reinstall of the operating system is the longest part. Don't interrupt the process or close your laptop lid.