How to Reset Your PC: The Three Main Routes and What Each One Does

What resetting your PC means and which route to choose

Resetting your PC means wiping the drive and reinstalling Windows from scratch. Windows gives you three main routes: Reset this PC (built into Windows, keeps or removes your files), clean install from USB (you create the installation media yourself), and factory reset (available on some pre-built machines, returns it to how it shipped). Most people use Reset this PC because it is the fastest and requires no extra hardware. Clean install takes longer but gives you more control. Factory reset is only an option if your PC came with that feature enabled.

The choice depends on why you are resetting. If your PC is slow or infected and you want to keep your documents, use Reset this PC with the "keep my files" option. If you want a completely blank slate or you are selling the machine, use the "remove everything" option. If you have serious corruption or malware, a clean install from USB is more thorough because it bypasses any existing Windows code.

Key Takeaways

Reset this PC is the fastest method and is built into Windows; you reach it through Settings > System > Recovery and choose whether to keep or remove your files.
A clean install from USB requires you to read Windows installation media from Microsoft and create a bootable USB drive, but gives you complete control over what gets installed.
Resetting removes all installed programs and user accounts, so back up any files you need before you start, even if you choose to keep files.
The reset process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your drive speed and which route you choose.
After reset, you will need to reinstall programs, sign back into your Microsoft account, and restore any backed-up files.

Reset this PC: the built-in Windows method

This is the easiest route for most people. Open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to System, then select Recovery on the left side. You will see a blue button labeled "Reset this PC". Click it. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose based on what you need: keep your files if you want to preserve documents, photos, and downloads; remove everything if you are selling the machine or dealing with malware.

After you choose, Windows will show you a list of apps that will be removed. Review it to make sure nothing critical is there (most things can be reinstalled). Then Windows will ask if you want to remove files locally or use cloud read. Local removal is faster if your internet is slow; cloud read is more thorough. Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. Your PC will restart and the process will begin. Do not turn off the machine during this time.

The whole process takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on your drive speed. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account (or create a local account if you prefer), and Windows will reinstall itself. After that, you will need to reinstall your programs from the Microsoft Store or their original installers.

Clean install from USB: more control, more steps

A clean install means downloading Windows directly from Microsoft, putting it on a USB drive, and installing from scratch. This method is slower than Reset this PC but gives you complete control and is more thorough if you suspect malware. You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and a second computer to create the installation media.

Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if you use Windows 10) on any computer. read the Media Creation Tool. Plug in your USB drive, open the tool, and follow the prompts. Choose "Create installation media for another PC", select your language and edition, and choose USB drive as your destination. The tool will read Windows and write it to the USB. This takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Once the USB is ready, plug it into the PC you want to reset. Restart the PC and press the boot key repeatedly as it starts up. The boot key varies by manufacturer: F12 for Dell, F2 for HP, Esc for Lenovo, Delete for ASUS. A menu will appear; select your USB drive. Windows setup will load. Choose your language and keyboard layout, then click "Install now". On the next screen, enter your Windows product key if prompted (you can skip this and enter it later). Choose "Custom: Install Windows only", select the drive you want to install to, and click Next. Windows will install. The PC will restart several times. When setup finishes, sign in and reinstall your programs.

Factory reset: only if your PC supports it

Some pre-built PCs from manufacturers like Dell, HP, or Lenovo include a factory reset tool that restores the machine to its original state. This is different from Reset this PC because it may include the manufacturer's pre-installed software and drivers. Factory reset is only available if the manufacturer enabled it; most modern PCs do not have this feature.

To check if your PC has factory reset, open Settings, go to System > Recovery, and look for an option labeled "Go back" or "Factory reset". If you see it, click it and follow the prompts. If you do not see it, your PC does not have this feature and you should use Reset this PC instead. Factory reset works the same way as Reset this PC but may take longer because it is restoring more files.

Back up your files before you reset

Even if you choose to keep your files during Reset this PC, back up anything critical first. The reset process is usually safe, but if something goes wrong, you could lose data. The fastest way to back up is to copy your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to an external drive or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive.

If you have programs with data stored in unusual locations (like game saves, browser bookmarks, or email archives), back those up separately. You can export bookmarks from your browser, export email from Outlook, and copy game save folders manually. After reset, you can restore these files by copying them back or importing them into the program.

What happens after reset and what you need to do next

After reset finishes, your PC will be blank except for Windows itself. You will need to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you use a Microsoft account, Windows will read your settings and reinstall some apps automatically, but this takes time. If you use a local account, you will start with a completely blank desktop.

Next, reinstall your programs. If you bought them from the Microsoft Store, go to the Store app and reinstall from your library. If you bought them elsewhere, read the installer from the publisher's website or find your installation media. Restore any backed-up files by copying them back to their original locations. Update Windows and your drivers by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and clicking "Check for updates". Restart when prompted.

Finally, sign back into your accounts: email, cloud storage, streaming services, and any other services you use. This usually happens automatically if you signed in with a Microsoft account, but local accounts require manual sign-in. The whole process of getting back to a working state takes a few hours depending on how many programs you need to reinstall.

Troubleshooting: what to do if reset fails or gets stuck

If Reset this PC fails or gets stuck, restart the PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Then try again. If it fails a second time, try the clean install from USB method instead, which is more reliable because it does not depend on existing Windows code.

If your PC will not boot at all and you cannot reach Settings, use the clean install method. If you see an error message during reset, write down the error code and search for it on Microsoft's support site. Some errors are fixable by running the reset again; others require a clean install. If you are stuck, the clean install from USB method will almost always work because it starts from scratch with no dependencies on your existing system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reset remove my files if I choose to keep them?

No. If you select "Keep my files", Windows will preserve your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Desktop, and Music folders. It will remove all installed programs and user accounts except the one you are using. Back up anything outside those folders before you reset, because those files will be deleted.

How long does a reset take?

Reset this PC usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. A clean install from USB takes 30 to 60 minutes. The time depends on your drive speed and internet connection. Do not turn off the PC during the reset; let it finish even if it appears to be stuck for several minutes.

Do I need my Windows product key to reset?

No. If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, the key is stored in your hardware. Windows will reactivate automatically after reset. If you bought Windows separately, you may need to enter the key during clean install, but you can skip it and enter it later.

Can I reset my PC if it will not start?

If Windows will not start, you cannot use Reset this PC because you cannot reach Settings. Use the clean install from USB method instead. You will need a second computer to create the USB drive, but the clean install will work even if your PC is completely broken.

What should I do with my old programs after reset?

Reinstall only the programs you actually use. Do not reinstall bloatware or programs that came pre-installed unless you need them. read fresh installers from the publisher's website rather than using old installation media, because updates and security patches may be available. This keeps your PC faster and more find.

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.