What Restoring Factory Settings Does and When to Use It

Restoring factory settings wipes your HP computer back to the state it left the factory — removing all your files, programs, and settings. Windows calls this a "reset". It is useful when your computer runs slowly, has persistent errors, or you are selling or giving it away. It is not useful for a single broken program (uninstall that instead) or for backing up files (copy those first).

HP computers come with either Windows 11 or Windows 10, and both have a built-in reset tool. You do not need external software or a recovery disc. The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed and whether you choose to keep or remove your files.

Before you start: back up any files you want to keep. The reset will delete them. Write down any program serial numbers or login credentials you will need after the reset. If your computer will not start at all, you have a different problem — see the FAQ section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have a built-in reset tool under Settings > System > Recovery that does not require external software.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or remove everything — choose based on whether you plan to keep the computer or give it away.
  • Back up any files you want to keep before you start, because the reset will delete them permanently.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours and your computer will restart several times — do not unplug it or force it off during this time.
  • After the reset, you will need to sign in with a Microsoft account or local account and reinstall any programs you use regularly.

How to Reset Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Recovery options", click the button that says Reset this PC.

Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" if you want to stay on this computer and only remove programs that are slowing it down. Choose "Remove everything" if you are selling the computer, giving it away, or want a completely clean slate. If you choose "Remove everything", Windows will ask whether to remove files securely (slower, more thorough) or quickly (faster, less thorough) — either choice is fine for a personal computer.

Click Next. Windows will show you a summary of what it is about to do. Click Reset to begin. Your computer will restart and show a progress screen. Do not turn it off or unplug it. The process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours.

When it finishes, your computer will restart and ask you to sign in. Use your Microsoft account email and password, or create a local account if you prefer not to use Microsoft. Then you are done — your computer is back to factory settings.

How to Reset Windows 10

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click System, then click Recovery in the left sidebar. Under "Reset this PC", click get your free guide.

Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. The choice works the same way as Windows 11: "Keep my files" removes programs but leaves your documents, photos, and music. "Remove everything" deletes everything and is the right choice if you are giving away the computer.

Click Next. Windows will show a list of programs it will remove (if you chose "Keep my files") or a summary of what will happen. Click Reset to start. Your computer will restart and show progress. This usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. Do not turn it off during this time.

When the reset finishes, sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account. Your computer is now at factory settings.

What to Do If Your Computer Will Not Start

If your HP computer will not start at all — it shows a black screen, a logo that does not move, or an error message — you cannot use the normal reset process because you cannot reach Settings. Instead, you need to force a restart into recovery mode.

Turn off the computer completely. If it is frozen, hold the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down. Turn it back on and when ready start pressing F11 repeatedly (about once per second) until you see a blue recovery screen. If F11 does not work, try F1, F10, or Esc — different HP models use different keys.

Once you reach the recovery screen, look for an option called Reset this PC, System Recovery, or Troubleshoot. Click it and follow the same steps as above. If you cannot reach a recovery screen after several tries, your hard drive may be failing — that is a hardware problem beyond a factory reset.

Reinstalling Programs After the Reset

After your computer restarts and you sign in, you will have only the programs that came with Windows — Microsoft Edge, Notepad, Calculator, and a few others. Any programs you installed (Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, Spotify, antivirus software) are gone.

Reinstall the programs you use regularly. If you have serial numbers or license keys, have them ready. For programs you bought from the Microsoft Store, sign in with your Microsoft account and the Store will show you a list of programs you own — you can reinstall them from there. For programs you bought elsewhere, go to the publisher's website and read the installer.

Do not reinstall everything at once. Start with the programs you use every day, then add others as you need them. This keeps your computer faster and cleaner than loading it with software you do not actually use.

How Long the Reset Takes and What to Expect

The reset process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. Newer computers with solid-state drives (SSD) are faster — often 30 to 45 minutes. Older computers with traditional hard drives (HDD) are slower — often one to two hours. The exact time depends on how much data is on your drive and how fast your drive is.

During the reset, your computer will restart several times. You will see a progress bar, a spinning circle, or a percentage counter. This is normal. Your screen may go black for a minute or two between restarts. Do not unplug the computer, force it off, or close the lid. If the progress bar stops moving for more than 10 minutes, something has gone wrong — wait another 10 minutes, then force a restart by holding the power button.

When the reset finishes, you will see a sign-in screen. Your computer is ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my computer remove viruses?

Yes, a factory reset removes viruses because it deletes everything on your drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. However, if a virus is on an external drive or USB stick you plug in afterward, you can get infected again. After the reset, install antivirus software (Windows Defender, which comes with Windows, is free and adequate) and run a scan before you use the computer for anything important.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once the reset finishes, your files are gone permanently. This is why you must back up anything you want to keep before you start. If you realize too late that you deleted something important, a data recovery service may be able to retrieve it, but this is expensive and not always successful.

Do I need the Windows installation disc or a recovery disc?

No. Modern HP computers have the reset tool built into Windows and do not need a disc. If your computer will not start and you cannot reach the recovery screen, you can create a Windows installation USB on another computer and use that to reset, but this is rarely necessary.

What if I forgot my password?

If you forgot the password to your Microsoft account, you can reset it on another computer by going to account.microsoft.com and clicking "Can't access your account". If you forgot a local account password and have no other way in, a factory reset is one way to start over — you will lose your files, but you will be able to set up a new account.

Should I keep my files or remove everything?

Keep your files if you plan to use the computer yourself and want to save your documents, photos, and music. Remove everything if you are selling the computer, giving it away, or want the cleanest possible fresh start. Removing everything is more thorough and is the safer choice if privacy is a concern.