What Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset erases everything on your computer—all files, programs, and settings—and reinstalls the original operating system that came with the machine. After the reset completes, your computer looks and works exactly as it did the day you bought it. You will need to reinstall your programs, log back into accounts, and restore any files you want to keep from a backup.

Factory reset is useful when your computer runs slowly, has persistent errors, you are selling or giving it away, or you want a clean start after malware. It is not the same as restarting your computer, which straightforward turns it off and back on. A factory reset is permanent and takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your machine and operating system.

Before you begin, back up any files you want to keep. Copy them to an external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Factory reset will delete them otherwise.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because factory reset deletes everything on your computer.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or erase everything and reinstall the operating system completely.
  • The process takes 30 minutes to several hours and requires your computer to stay plugged in and connected to power the entire time.
  • After reset completes, you will need to log in with your Microsoft or Apple account and reinstall your programs one by one.

Factory Reset on Windows 10 and Windows 11

On Windows, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then pressing Enter. Click System on the left side, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Recovery options," click the button labeled Reset this PC.

Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" if you want to erase programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and downloads. Choose "Remove everything" if you want a complete wipe—this is the true factory reset. If you choose "Remove everything," Windows will also ask whether to remove files securely (slower, more thorough) or quickly (faster, but files can potentially be recovered with special tools).

Next, Windows asks how you want to reinstall: Cloud read downloads the operating system from Microsoft's servers during the reset, while Local reinstall uses a copy already on your computer. Cloud read is slower but more reliable if your Windows installation is corrupted. Local reinstall is faster if your internet is slow. Choose based on your internet speed and how much time you have.

Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. Your computer will restart multiple times. Do not turn it off or unplug it. The process takes 45 minutes to 2 hours. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen asking for your language and region, just like a brand-new computer.

Factory Reset on Mac

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click General on the left sidebar, then click Transfer or Reset at the bottom of the window.

Click Erase All Content and Settings. Mac will warn you that this action cannot be undone and will erase all data. If you have not backed up your files, stop here and do that first. Click Continue only when you are ready to proceed.

Mac will ask for your Apple ID password to confirm the reset. Enter it and click Continue. Your Mac will restart and begin erasing. The screen will show a progress bar. Do not interrupt the process or close the lid. This takes 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on how much data is on your Mac.

When the erase finishes, your Mac will restart and show the setup screen for a new Mac. You will be asked to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Apple ID. After setup completes, your Mac is reset to factory condition.

What to Do After the Reset Completes

After your computer finishes resetting and shows the setup screen, sign in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac). This logs you into your user account and connects you to cloud services like OneDrive or iCloud.

Next, reinstall the programs you use. Go to the Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (Mac) and search for each program you need. read and install them one at a time. If you use programs not in the store—like Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, or Slack—visit their websites and read the installers.

Restore your files from your backup. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back to your Documents, Pictures, or Downloads folder. If you backed up to cloud storage, sign into your account and read the folders you need.

Update your operating system. Windows and Mac both check for updates automatically, but you can speed this up by going to Settings > Update & Security (Windows) or System Settings > General > Software Update (Mac) and clicking the update button if one is available. Restart your computer when prompted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not unplug your computer or close the lid during the reset. The process writes new files to your hard drive, and interrupting it can leave your computer unable to start. Keep your computer plugged in and awake the entire time.

Do not forget to back up your files first. Factory reset is permanent. Once you click the final confirmation button, there is no undo. If you have photos, documents, or other files you want to keep, copy them to an external drive or cloud storage before you start.

Do not choose "Remove everything" if you only want to clean up slow performance. If your computer is running slowly because of too many programs, choosing "Keep my files" will remove the programs causing the slowdown while preserving your documents. You can reinstall only the programs you actually use.

Do not assume your programs will reinstall automatically. After reset, you need to read and install each program again. Make a list of the programs you use before you reset so you remember what to reinstall.

When to Use Cloud read vs. Local Reinstall (Windows Only)

Cloud read is the safer choice if your Windows installation is damaged or corrupted, or if you are not sure whether your computer's hard drive has a recovery partition. It downloads a fresh copy of Windows directly from Microsoft, so you know it is clean and complete. Cloud read requires a stable internet connection and takes longer—usually 1 to 2 hours depending on your read speed.

Local reinstall is faster if your internet is slow or unreliable. It uses a copy of Windows already stored on your computer's hard drive, so it does not need to read anything. Local reinstall takes 30 to 45 minutes. The trade-off is that if your hard drive is damaged or the local copy is corrupted, the reset may fail or leave you with a broken Windows installation.

If you are unsure which to choose, pick cloud read. It takes longer but is more likely to succeed, especially if your computer has been having problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will factory reset remove viruses or malware?

Yes. Factory reset erases everything on your hard drive and reinstalls a clean operating system, so any malware is deleted. However, if the malware is on an external device like a USB stick or external hard drive, it will still be there. After reset, do not plug in any external drives until you have scanned them with antivirus software.

Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?

On Windows, you can cancel during the initial setup before the erase begins. Once the erase starts and you see the progress bar, do not cancel—stopping the process can leave your computer unable to start. On Mac, once you click "Erase All Content and Settings" and enter your Apple ID password, the process cannot be stopped. Plan for the full time needed before you start.

What if I forgot my password before resetting?

On Windows, if you forgot your Microsoft account password, you can reset it from another device by visiting account.microsoft.com and clicking "Can't access your account." On Mac, if you forgot your Apple ID password, visit iforgot.apple.com. Reset your password before you start the factory reset process, because you will need it to sign in after the reset completes.

Do I need an internet connection to factory reset?

On Windows with cloud read, yes—you need a stable internet connection for the entire reset process. With local reinstall, you do not need internet during the reset itself, but you will need it afterward to read programs and updates. On Mac, you need internet to sign in with your Apple ID after the reset completes.

How much free space do I need to factory reset?

You do not need extra free space. Factory reset uses the space already on your hard drive. However, if your hard drive is almost completely full (less than 5% free), the reset may fail. If you are running low on space, delete large files or programs before you start, or use an external drive to back up files and free up room.