What resetting your PC actually does

A PC reset removes your files, programs, and settings and returns Windows to the state it was in when you first turned it on. Windows calls this a "reset" or "fresh start." It is not the same as restarting your computer — restart just turns it off and back on. A reset wipes the drive.

You have two choices: keep your files and remove only programs and settings, or remove everything. Most people choose to keep files because losing documents, photos, and downloads is painful and unnecessary. If your PC is sluggish or infected, keeping files still solves the problem in most cases.

Reset is useful when Windows stops responding reliably, when you plan to sell or give away the PC, or when you want to start fresh after installing too many programs. It is not a fix for hardware problems like a failing hard drive or broken keyboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows has a built-in reset tool in Settings that you can reach even if your PC is slow or unstable.
  • You can reset while keeping your personal files, which removes programs and settings without erasing documents or photos.
  • A full reset that removes everything is the right choice only if you are selling the PC, giving it away, or dealing with malware.
  • The reset process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your drive speed and how much data is on the machine.
  • You need your Microsoft account password or a local password to complete the reset, and you should back up important files first.

How to reset Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter. In Settings, go to System, then select Recovery on the left side. You will see a button labeled "Reset this PC" — click it.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" unless you are selling the PC or dealing with a serious infection. Then Windows will ask whether to reinstall from the cloud or use local files. Cloud reinstall is slower but more reliable if your Windows installation is damaged; local reinstall is faster if Windows is working reasonably well.

Windows will show you a list of programs that will be removed. Review it to make sure nothing surprises you. Then click Reset, and Windows will begin. Your PC will restart several times. Do not turn it off during this process.

What happens during and after a reset

The reset process takes between 20 minutes and an hour. During this time your screen will go black, show a spinning circle, or display progress messages. This is normal. Your PC may restart three or four times. Leave it alone.

When the reset finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account or local password. Windows will reinstall itself and read updates. This can take another 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.

After setup completes, your files will be in the same folders they were before — Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Desktop. Your programs will be gone. You will need to reinstall anything you use regularly. Your settings will be reset to Windows defaults, so you may need to adjust display brightness, sound volume, and other preferences.

When to keep files and when to remove everything

Keep your files in almost every situation. The only reasons to remove everything are: you are selling or giving away the PC, you suspect a serious malware infection that you cannot remove, or you want to be absolutely certain no personal data remains on the drive.

If you are selling the PC, a full reset is the safest choice because it overwrites the space where your old files lived. If you are giving it to a family member or friend, keeping files is usually fine — just make sure you have removed your Microsoft account and any passwords saved in the browser.

If you suspect malware, a reset with files kept will remove most infections because malware usually lives in program files, not in your Documents folder. If you are worried about a particularly stubborn infection, research the specific malware name before deciding whether to keep files.

Back up your files before you start

Even though a reset with "keep files" should preserve your documents, photos, and downloads, unexpected problems can happen. Before you reset, copy your most important files to an external drive or cloud storage.

The fastest way is to plug in an external USB drive, open File Explorer, and drag your Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders to the drive. This takes a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Alternatively, you can upload important files to OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud service.

You do not need to back up everything — just the files you would be upset to lose. If your PC has a lot of video or photo files, focus on those. If you mostly use your PC for email and web browsing, a quick backup of Documents is enough.

Troubleshooting a reset that will not start

If you cannot reach Settings or if Settings crashes when you try to open Recovery, try restarting your PC first. Sometimes a straightforward restart clears the problem.

If Settings still will not work, you can reset from the Windows login screen. Restart your PC. When you see the login screen, hold Shift and click the power button in the bottom right corner, then click Restart. Your PC will boot into recovery mode. Select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and follow the same steps as above.

If your PC will not start at all and you see only a black screen or error messages, a reset from the login screen will not work. In that case, you will need a Windows installation USB drive, which requires another computer to create. This is beyond the scope of a standard reset and usually means your hard drive or Windows installation is seriously damaged.

What to do after your PC is reset

After setup finishes and you are logged in, Windows will spend the next hour or two downloading and installing updates in the background. Let it finish before you do heavy work. You can use your PC during this time, but it will be slower.

Reinstall the programs you use most. Start with your browser, email client, and any work software. You can reinstall programs from the Microsoft Store, from the original installer files if you saved them, or by downloading them from the publisher's website.

Restore any files you backed up to cloud storage. If you used OneDrive, Google Drive, or another service, sign in and read your files back to your PC. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy the files back to their original folders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reset fix my slow PC?

Usually yes. A reset removes programs that run in the background, clears temporary files, and gives Windows a fresh start. If your PC is slow because you have installed many programs over time, a reset often makes it noticeably faster. If it is slow because of a hardware problem like a failing hard drive, a reset will not help.

Can I cancel a reset once it starts?

Not safely. Once the reset process begins, stopping it can leave Windows in a broken state. If you change your mind before clicking the final Reset button, you can cancel. Once the restart begins, let it finish.

Do I need to uninstall programs before I reset?

No. A reset removes all programs automatically. You do not need to uninstall anything first. Just make sure you have the installer or read link for any programs you want to keep, because you will need to reinstall them after the reset finishes.

What if I forget my password after a reset?

If you used a Microsoft account, you can reset your password at account.microsoft.com from another device. If you used a local password and forgot it, you will need to create a new local account or use a password reset disk if you made one before the reset.

Is a reset the same as a factory reset?

Yes. Windows calls it a "reset" or "fresh start," but it is the same as a factory reset — it returns Windows to its original state. The term "factory reset" is more common on phones and tablets.