How to Reset Your PC: Windows and Mac Methods

What resetting your PC means and when to do it

A PC reset removes your files, programs, and settings and returns Windows or macOS to a clean state, as if it came from the factory. This is different from restarting, which straightforward shuts down and turns the machine back on. A reset wipes the drive and reinstalls the operating system.

You might reset a PC to fix persistent crashes or slowdowns that troubleshooting has not solved, to remove malware that antivirus software cannot clean, to erase everything before selling or giving away the machine, or to start fresh after a major software problem. A reset is also the last step before taking a PC to a repair shop, because it tells the technician whether the problem is in Windows or macOS itself or in your hardware.

Before you reset, back up any files you want to keep. A reset deletes everything on the drive unless you choose to keep your files during the process — and even then, some programs and settings will not survive. If you are not sure what to back up, copy your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders to an external drive or cloud storage.

Key Takeaways

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in reset tool in Settings that you can reach without a separate installation disc.
You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or erase everything and reinstall Windows completely.
Mac users can erase the drive and reinstall macOS through System Settings or Recovery Mode.
Back up your files before you start, because a full reset deletes everything on the drive.
If your PC will not start at all, you may need to create a bootable USB drive with Windows or macOS installation media.

How to reset Windows 10 or 11 from Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System, then 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. If you choose Keep my files, Windows removes all your programs and settings but leaves your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders intact. This takes 30 minutes to an hour. If you choose Remove everything, Windows erases the entire drive and reinstalls itself from scratch, which takes longer and is more thorough.

After you click your choice, Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. Click Reset, and the process will begin. Your PC will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen, and you can sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account.

Resetting a Mac through System Settings

On a Mac running macOS Monterey or newer, open System Settings and click General. Scroll down and click Transfer or Reset. Click Erase All Content and Settings. Your Mac will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID to prevent someone else from using it after the erase. Enter your credentials and click Continue.

Your Mac will show a summary of what will be erased and ask you to confirm. Click Continue, then Erase. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your Mac will restart and show the macOS setup screen when it is done. You can then sign in with your Apple ID and set up the machine as new.

If you are running an older version of macOS, you can erase the drive through Disk Utility instead. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click Disk Utility, select your drive from the list on the left, click Erase, choose a format (APFS for newer Macs, Mac OS Extended for older ones), and click Erase again. When that finishes, quit Disk Utility and click Reinstall macOS to read and install a fresh copy of the operating system.

When you need a bootable USB drive

If your PC will not start at all — if it gets stuck on a black screen, shows repeated error messages, or will not reach the login screen — you may not be able to use the built-in reset tool. In that case, you need to create a bootable USB drive with Windows or macOS installation media on another working computer.

For Windows, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows on a working PC, read the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool, plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space, run the tool, and follow the prompts. The tool will copy Windows installation files to the drive. Then plug that USB drive into the broken PC, restart it, and press F12, Delete, or Esc during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and press Enter. Windows setup will start, and you can choose to repair or reset the installation.

For Mac, go to the App Store on a working Mac, search for the macOS version you want (Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia), click Get, then Install. When prompted, insert a blank USB drive with at least 16 GB of space. Open Terminal (in Applications > Utilities) and run the command provided by Apple for your macOS version — these are available on Apple's support pages. The command copies macOS to the drive. Then plug that drive into the broken Mac, restart while holding Command + Option + R, and select the USB drive from the startup menu.

What happens after a reset is complete

After your PC finishes resetting, it will boot into the operating system setup screen. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac), choose your language and keyboard layout, and set up basic preferences. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Once setup is done, your PC will be clean and fast, but you will need to reinstall your programs. If you kept your files during a Windows reset, your Documents and Pictures folders will be there, but the programs that created them will not be. You will need to read and install Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, or whatever else you use. Your email, browser bookmarks, and login information will not carry over unless you sign in to those services again.

If you reset to fix a problem, test the PC for a few days before reinstalling everything. Run it with just Windows or macOS and the built-in programs for a week. If crashes or slowdowns return, the problem is likely in your hardware — the hard drive, RAM, or motherboard — and a reset will not fix it. If the PC runs smoothly, you can safely reinstall your programs one at a time.

Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck

Occasionally a reset will stall at 99 percent, restart in a loop, or show an error message partway through. If this happens, do not force shut down the PC when ready. Wait at least 30 minutes, because large file operations can appear frozen while they are still running in the background.

If the reset is still stuck after 30 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force the PC off. Wait a minute, then turn it back on. If it boots into Windows or macOS, try the reset again. If it gets stuck at the same point, the hard drive may be failing. In that case, you will need to take the PC to a repair shop or replace the drive yourself if you are comfortable opening the machine.

If the reset fails with an error code, write down the code and search for it on Microsoft's support site (for Windows) or Apple's support site (for Mac). The code usually points to a specific problem — a corrupted file, a USB drive that was not created correctly, or a hardware issue — and the support page will tell you how to work around it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my PC remove viruses and malware?

A full reset that erases the entire drive will remove malware, because malware lives in files on your hard drive. A reset that keeps your files will not remove malware if the malware is in your Documents or Downloads folder. If you suspect malware, choose Remove everything to erase the drive completely.

Can I cancel a reset once it has started?

You can cancel a reset in the early stages by closing the Settings window or restarting your PC before the process begins. Once the reset has started and your PC has restarted, canceling it may leave Windows or macOS in an unusable state. Let the reset finish rather than interrupting it.

Do I need a product key to reset Windows?

No. Windows 10 and 11 are tied to your Microsoft account and your hardware. When you reset and sign back in with the same account, Windows will reactivate automatically. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create a local account, but you may need to enter a product key if Windows asks for one during setup.

What if I forgot my password before resetting?

If you cannot log in, you cannot reach the Settings reset tool. You will need to create a bootable USB drive with Windows or macOS installation media on another computer and use that to reset the drive. The installation media does not require a password to run.

How long does a full reset take?

A full reset that erases everything and reinstalls Windows or macOS typically takes one to three hours, depending on your hard drive speed and internet connection. A reset that keeps your files takes 30 minutes to an hour. The process includes multiple restarts, so do not turn off your PC or unplug it during this time.

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.