What Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset wipes your Windows 10 computer and reinstalls the operating system as it came from the manufacturer. This removes all your files, programs, and settings, returning the machine to a blank state. The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and drive size.

You would reset your computer if it runs too slowly to use, if malware has infected it and antivirus tools have not removed it, if you are selling or giving it away, or if Windows itself has become corrupted and will not start properly. If your computer straightforward runs slowly because you have too many programs open, a reset is overkill—restarting it or uninstalling unused software will solve the problem faster.

Before you begin, back up any files you want to keep. A factory reset cannot be undone. Copy your documents, photos, and other personal files to an external drive or cloud storage. If you have programs you paid for, write down their license keys or serial numbers before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 has a built-in reset tool called Reset This PC that you access through Settings, not a separate program to read.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs and settings, or remove everything—choose based on whether you trust your files or want a complete wipe.
  • The reset process requires an internet connection and takes 30 minutes to two hours; your computer will restart several times and you should not interrupt it.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with a Microsoft account or local account and reinstall any programs you use regularly.
  • If Windows will not start at all, you can reset from the login screen or use a recovery USB drive instead of going through Settings.

How to Reset Through Windows Settings

The easiest path is through the Settings app if your computer still starts and you can log in. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, then scroll down and click Recovery.

Under "Reset this PC," click the blue Reset PC button. Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose Keep my files if you trust your documents and photos and only want to remove programs and settings. Choose Remove everything if you are selling the computer, suspect malware, or want a completely clean start. Click Next.

Windows will show you a list of programs that will be removed. Review it to make sure nothing surprises you, then click Reset. Your computer will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. You will see a progress screen; when it finishes, your computer will restart again and show the Windows setup screen.

Choosing Between Keeping Files or Removing Everything

Keep my files removes all programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, music, and videos in place. Windows reinstalls itself fresh, so any slowness caused by corrupted system files or conflicting programs will be gone. Your personal files remain because they are stored separately from the operating system. This option takes less time because Windows does not have to erase your entire drive.

Remove everything erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. Nothing remains except the operating system. Choose this if you are giving away or selling the computer, if you suspect malware has hidden itself in your files, or if you want absolute certainty that nothing from the old installation remains. This option takes longer because every part of the drive must be erased and rewritten.

If you are unsure, Keep my files is the safer choice for your own use. You can always delete files manually later if you change your mind. If the computer is going to someone else, Remove everything is the right choice for privacy.

What to Do If Windows Will Not Start

If your computer will not boot into Windows at all, you can still reset it from the login screen. Restart your computer and wait for the login screen to appear. Look for a power icon in the bottom right corner, click it, hold Shift, and click Restart. Your computer will boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.

From the recovery menu, click Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. Follow the same steps as the Settings method—choose whether to keep files or remove everything, then let the reset run. This path works even if Windows is too damaged to load normally.

If even the recovery menu will not appear, you will need a recovery USB drive. You can create one on another Windows computer by going to Settings > System > Recovery, clicking Create a recovery drive, and following the prompts. Insert the drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press the key shown on screen to boot from the USB (usually F12, Delete, or Esc—the key varies by manufacturer). Then select Repair your computer and follow the reset steps.

Setting Up Your Computer After the Reset

When the reset finishes, your computer will show the Windows setup screen. You will be asked to choose your language, region, and keyboard layout. Then you will sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. A Microsoft account lets you sync settings across devices and read programs from the Microsoft Store; a local account is simpler but only works on that one computer.

After you sign in, Windows will install updates and drivers. This can take 15 to 30 minutes. Let it finish—do not restart or turn off your computer during this time. Once updates are done, your desktop will appear and you can begin using the computer.

Reinstall the programs you use regularly. If you kept your files, they will be in your Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders where you left them. Programs do not reinstall automatically even if you kept your files, so you will need to read and install them again from their websites or the Microsoft Store.

Troubleshooting Reset Problems

If the reset gets stuck on a progress screen for more than two hours, your computer may have a hardware problem. Wait at least three hours before assuming it is frozen—some drives take a long time to erase. If it truly appears stuck, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then restart and try again. If it gets stuck in the same place, the drive may be failing and you may need to take the computer to a repair shop.

If you see an error message during reset, write down the exact error code and search for it online. Common errors include "We couldn't reset your PC" (usually caused by a corrupted recovery partition, fixable by using a recovery USB drive) or "The drive is write-protected" (caused by a hardware switch or BIOS setting, fixable by checking your computer's manual). Most errors have specific solutions that depend on the exact message.

If the reset completes but Windows will not start afterward, restart your computer and let it sit on the login screen for five minutes—sometimes Windows is still installing drivers in the background. If it still will not work, you may need to use a recovery drive or contact a repair technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows. However, if you choose Keep my files, some sophisticated malware hidden in documents or downloads might remain. If you suspect serious malware, choose Remove everything instead. After the reset, install antivirus software before downloading anything.

Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?

You can cancel during the initial setup before the reset actually begins—before you click the final Reset button. Once the reset process starts and your computer begins restarting, canceling it can leave Windows broken and unbootable. Do not interrupt it. If you change your mind, let it finish and reinstall your programs afterward instead.

Do I need a product key to reset Windows 10?

No. Windows 10 is tied to your hardware, not a physical product key. When you reset, Windows will reactivate automatically using the same hardware ID. If you are moving Windows to a different computer, you may need a product key, but for resetting the same machine, you do not.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

The reset itself takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive size and internet speed. After that, Windows updates and driver installation can add another 30 minutes to an hour. Plan for the entire process to take two to three hours from start to finish, and do not use your computer during this time.

What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in?

You can still reset your computer from the login screen using the recovery method described above. You do not need to sign in first. Restart, press Shift and click the power icon, then select Troubleshoot and Reset this PC. After the reset finishes, you will create a new account with a new password.