How to Reset Your PC to Factory Settings

What Resetting Your PC Actually Does

Resetting your PC removes all your personal files, programs, and settings and returns the machine to the state it came in from the factory. Windows gives you two reset options: Keep My Files, which removes programs and settings but saves your documents and photos, and Remove Everything, which deletes everything on the drive. Most people choose Keep My Files when the PC is running slowly or acting buggy. Choose Remove Everything only if you are selling the machine, giving it away, or the drive is corrupted beyond repair.

A reset is different from a restart. Restarting just turns the machine off and back on. A reset erases the operating system and reinstalls it fresh. This takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and how much data is on the drive.

Key Takeaways

You can reset Windows through Settings > System > Recovery > Reset This PC, and the process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet connection.
Keep My Files removes programs and settings but saves documents and photos; Remove Everything deletes everything on the drive.
Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because even Keep My Files can fail and leave you without access to your data.
Your PC must have at least 20 percent free disk space and a stable internet connection to reset successfully.
If your PC will not start, you can reset it from a USB recovery drive created on another computer.

How to Reset Windows 10 or Windows 11 from Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click System in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Recovery. Under Reset This PC, click the Reset PC button.

Windows will ask whether you want to Keep My Files or Remove Everything. Choose Keep My Files if you want to save your documents, photos, and videos. Choose Remove Everything if you are wiping the drive completely. Click Next.

Windows will show you a list of programs that will be removed. Review it to make sure nothing you need is there—if it is, write down the program name so you can reinstall it later. Click Reset. Windows will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off the PC or unplug it during this time. The screen may go black or show a spinning circle for long stretches. This is normal.

When the reset finishes, Windows will ask you to set up the PC as if it were new. Create a user account, set your time zone, and connect to Wi-Fi. The entire process usually takes one to two hours.

Preparing Your PC Before You Reset

Back up any files you want to keep, even if you chose Keep My Files. The reset process occasionally fails partway through, and a backup protects you if that happens. Connect an external hard drive or use OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud storage service. Copy your Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop folders to the backup location.

Check that you have at least 20 percent of your drive free. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, click System, then Storage. Look at the bar under C: drive. If the free space is less than 20 percent, delete large files or programs you no longer use, or move files to an external drive.

Make sure your internet connection is stable. A reset downloads Windows files from Microsoft's servers, so a weak or interrupted connection can cause the process to fail. If you are on Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or plug in an ethernet cable if your PC has one.

Write down any programs you use regularly so you remember to reinstall them after the reset. Microsoft Store apps (like Mail, Calendar, and Photos) will reinstall automatically, but programs you downloaded from websites will not.

Resetting a PC That Will Not Start

If Windows will not start, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, you need a recovery drive—a USB flash drive that contains Windows installation files. You must create this on a different computer that is working.

On a working PC, plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. Open Settings, click System, then Recovery. Under Advanced Startup, click Restart Now. The PC will restart into a blue recovery menu. Click Troubleshoot, then Reset This PC. Follow the same steps as above, but Windows will install from the USB drive instead of downloading from the internet.

If you do not have access to another PC, take your machine to a repair shop. They can create a recovery drive and reset it for you, though this usually costs between $50 and $150.

What to Do After the Reset Is Complete

Once Windows finishes setting up, reinstall the programs you use. Open Microsoft Store and search for any apps you had before—Mail, Photos, Notepad, and other Microsoft apps will be there. For programs from other companies (like Chrome, Zoom, or Adobe Reader), go to their websites and read the installer.

Restore your files from your backup. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back to Documents, Pictures, and other folders. If you used cloud storage, sign in to your account and read your files.

Run Windows Update to make sure you have the latest security patches. Press Windows key + I, click Update & Security (or System > Windows Update on Windows 11), then click Check for Updates. Let Windows read and install any updates, and restart if prompted.

Common Problems During a Reset

The reset gets stuck on a loading screen. Wait at least 30 minutes—the process can appear frozen while it is working. If nothing changes after an hour, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown. Turn the PC back on and try the reset again. If it gets stuck a second time, the drive may be failing and you should take the PC to a repair shop.

You see an error message like "Something went wrong" or "We couldn't reset your PC." This usually means the drive does not have enough free space or the internet connection dropped. Free up at least 20 percent of the drive, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi, and try again. If the error persists, create a recovery drive on another PC and reset from that instead.

After the reset, your files are missing. If you chose Keep My Files but your documents are gone, check the Recycle Bin first—right-click it on the desktop and click Empty Recycle Bin to see if your files are there. If they are not, your backup is your only option. This is why backing up before a reset is critical.

The PC is still slow after the reset. A slow PC after a reset usually means you have reinstalled the same programs that were causing the problem. Try uninstalling programs you do not use regularly. If the PC came with bloatware (programs the manufacturer installed), you can remove those from Settings > Apps > Apps & Features.

When to Reset vs. When to Seek Repair

A reset fixes most software problems: slowness, freezing, crashes, and malware infections. If your PC is running slowly because you have too many programs open or your drive is full, a reset will help. If Windows is crashing or you see error messages constantly, a reset often solves it.

Do not reset if the problem is hardware-related. If your PC makes grinding noises, the screen flickers even after restart, the keyboard or trackpad does not work, or the PC shuts down randomly, the issue is likely a failing hard drive, bad RAM, or loose cable. A reset will not fix these. Take the PC to a repair shop instead.

If you are not sure whether the problem is software or hardware, try restarting first. Press Windows key + X, click Shut Down or Sign Out, then Shut Down. Wait 30 seconds, then turn the PC back on. If the problem goes away, it was a temporary software glitch and you do not need to reset. If the problem returns, then a reset is worth trying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my PC remove viruses?

Yes. A reset removes all programs and files, including malware. Choose Remove Everything if you suspect a serious infection. After the reset, install antivirus software (Windows Defender comes built in) and run a scan before you reinstall other programs.

Can I stop the reset once it starts?

You can force a shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds, but this can damage Windows and leave your PC in an unusable state. Only do this if the reset is completely frozen and has not progressed in over an hour. Let the process finish if it is still working, even if it seems slow.

How long does a reset take?

Most resets take 30 minutes to two hours. A slow internet connection, a nearly full drive, or an older PC can take longer. Do not turn off the PC during the reset—plan to leave it running uninterrupted.

Do I need my Windows password to reset?

You need to be signed in to your user account to start the reset from Settings. If you forgot your password, you can reset it from the login screen by clicking "I forgot my password" and following the recovery steps. If you cannot recover your password, you will need to create a recovery drive on another PC.

What if I change my mind after the reset starts?

Once the reset begins and Windows restarts, you cannot stop it without forcing a shutdown, which can corrupt Windows. If you realize you forgot to back up important files, let the reset finish. If you chose Keep My Files, your documents should still be there. If you chose Remove Everything, your files are gone and a backup is your only option.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.