What Wiping Your Computer Means and When to Do It

Wiping a Windows 10 computer means erasing everything on the hard drive and reinstalling the operating system from scratch. This removes all your files, programs, and settings, leaving you with a clean machine that runs like it did when it was new. You end up with a blank desktop, no personal documents, and no third-party software — only Windows 10 and its built-in tools.

Most people wipe a computer before selling it, giving it away, or handing it to someone else. Others do it when the machine has slowed down so much that reinstalling feels faster than troubleshooting. A wipe also removes malware that antivirus software missed, though it is not a substitute for regular backups and security habits.

Before you start, understand that wiping is permanent. Every photo, email, document, and program will be gone. If you need anything on the drive, copy it to an external hard drive or cloud storage first. The process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your machine and internet speed.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin, because wiping erases everything on your computer.
  • Windows 10 has a built-in reset tool called Reset This PC that you access through Settings, not a separate program.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or erase everything — decide which one matches what you need.
  • The wipe process takes 20 minutes to an hour and requires your computer to restart several times.
  • After the wipe finishes, you will need to set up Windows again with a Microsoft account and reinstall any programs you want to keep.

Back Up Your Files Before You Start

Open File Explorer and look at what you have. Your personal files are usually in Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Desktop, and Videos. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive, check whether your files are synced to the cloud or only stored on your computer. Files that are synced are already backed up; files stored only locally will disappear when you wipe.

Plug in an external hard drive or USB flash drive with enough space. For most home computers, 500 gigabytes is plenty. Copy your Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders to the external drive. If you have email stored in Outlook or another program, export it first — the wipe will not touch cloud email like Gmail, but local copies will be gone. Take 10 minutes to make sure you have everything you need before moving forward.

Open the Reset This PC Tool

Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner. Type "reset this pc" into the search box. You will see an option called "Reset this PC" appear — click it. Windows will open the Settings app to the Recovery section, and you will see a blue button labeled "get your free guide" under the "Reset this PC" heading.

Click "get your free guide". Windows will ask you to choose between two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything". Read the next section to decide which one you need before you click.

Choose Between Keeping Files or Removing Everything

Keep my files removes all your programs and settings but leaves your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Desktop, and Videos folders untouched. Choose this if you want to start fresh with a clean Windows installation but do not want to lose your personal files. This is faster and safer if you are not sure whether you have backed everything up. The downside is that some malware or corrupted settings might remain.

Remove everything erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. Choose this if you are selling or giving away the computer, or if you suspect malware that a partial reset might not catch. This is the true wipe — nothing remains except a blank Windows installation. If you choose this option and later realize you needed a file, recovery software might retrieve it, but there is no may provide.

For most people wiping their own computer, "Keep my files" is the safer choice. For a computer you are giving to someone else, "Remove everything" is the right choice.

Let Windows read and Install Updates

After you choose, Windows will ask whether you want to read the latest version of Windows 10 or use what is already on your computer. Select "read files from the internet" if your internet connection is stable. This ensures you get the newest version of Windows 10 with the latest security patches. If your internet is slow or unreliable, you can choose "Use the files on this PC", but you will need to install updates after the reset finishes.

Click Next. Windows will show you a summary of what it is about to do. Read it carefully. If you chose "Remove everything", it will list the drives that will be erased — usually just your C: drive. If everything looks correct, click "Reset".

Wait for the Reset to Complete

Your computer will restart. You will see a Windows logo and a spinning circle. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it — let it run. The reset usually takes 20 to 60 minutes depending on your hard drive speed and internet connection. Your screen may go black for several minutes; this is normal. You may see a progress percentage, or the screen may stay blank — either way, the process is working.

Your computer will restart multiple times during the reset. Each time it restarts, it is a normal part of the process. Do not interrupt it. When the reset is finished, you will see the Windows setup screen asking you to choose your language and region.

Set Up Windows After the Reset

Windows will walk you through setup. Choose your language, region, and keyboard layout. You will be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. A Microsoft account lets you sync settings across devices and access OneDrive cloud storage; a local account is simpler but less connected to Microsoft services. Choose whichever fits your needs.

Windows will install drivers for your hardware and read any remaining updates. This can take another 10 to 20 minutes. When it finishes, you will see a blank desktop. Your computer is now wiped and ready to use. If you chose "Keep my files", your Documents and Pictures folders will be there. If you chose "Remove everything", you will need to restore files from your backup.

Reinstall any programs you need — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, or whatever you use regularly. Your programs are not on the computer anymore, so you will need to read and install them again from their official websites or the Microsoft Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop the reset once it has started?

Yes, but only in the first few minutes before Windows restarts. If you see the summary screen and change your mind, click the back button or close the window. Once the restart begins, stopping it mid-process can damage Windows. If you have already restarted, let it finish — interrupting it now is worse than letting it complete.

What if I forgot to back up my files?

If you chose "Keep my files", your Documents and Pictures will still be there after the reset. If you chose "Remove everything" and realized too late, recovery software like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery can sometimes retrieve files from the erased drive, but there is no may provide. The sooner you try, the better your chances.

Do I need a Windows 10 installation disc or USB drive?

No. The Reset This PC tool uses the copy of Windows already on your computer or downloads a fresh copy from Microsoft during the reset. You do not need any external media unless something goes wrong and Windows will not start at all.

Will my computer be faster after the wipe?

Usually yes, especially if it was slow before. A wipe removes programs that were slowing startup, clears out temporary files, and gives Windows a fresh start. However, if your computer is slow because of old hardware — an old hard drive or not enough RAM — a wipe will not fix that. The speed improvement typically lasts until you install many programs again.

What if the reset gets stuck or fails?

If the reset stops responding or shows an error, restart your computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds. When it boots back up, try the reset again from the beginning. If it fails a second time, your hard drive may be failing, and you may need to take the computer to a repair shop. Do not keep trying if it fails twice — you risk damaging the drive further.