What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It
A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings from your PC and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. Windows 10 gives you two ways to do this: keep your personal files but remove programs, or erase everything. Most people choose the first option when their PC is slow or buggy; the second option is for selling the machine or giving it away.
Factory reset is not the same as restarting. A restart clears your RAM and closes programs but leaves your hard drive untouched. A factory reset wipes the hard drive and reinstalls Windows. Do this only when you have backed up anything you want to keep, because the process cannot be undone.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 has a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC, found in Settings under System, and you do not need a Windows disc or USB drive to use it.
- You can choose to keep your personal files and remove only programs, or erase everything on the drive.
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because the reset will delete anything you do not save first.
- The reset process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your PC speed and which option you choose.
- After the reset finishes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account and reinstall any programs you want to keep.
How to Start a Factory Reset in Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings icon. Go to System, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under Reset this PC, click get your free guide.
Windows will ask you to choose between two options. Click Keep my files if you want to remove programs and settings but save your documents, photos, and other personal files. Click Remove everything if you want to erase the entire drive — use this option before selling or giving away the PC.
If you cannot open Settings or your PC is too slow to respond, you can reset from the login screen. Press Shift and click the power icon in the bottom right corner, then click Restart. Your PC will boot into recovery mode and show the reset option automatically.
What Happens During the Reset Process
After you choose your reset option, Windows will show you a list of programs it will remove. Review this list to make sure you are not losing anything you need. If you see a program you want to keep, cancel the reset, uninstall the program manually, and start the reset again.
Windows will then ask you to confirm. Click Reset, and the process begins. Your PC will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time — let it finish completely. The whole process usually takes 20 minutes to an hour.
When the reset finishes, your PC will restart and show the Windows setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will need to sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account, choose your privacy settings, and set up Windows again.
Reinstalling Your Programs After Reset
After the reset finishes and you have signed in, your PC will be empty of programs except for the built-in Windows apps like Mail, Calendar, and Edge. You will need to reinstall anything else you use.
If you kept your files, your documents, photos, and downloads are still there — they are just in a folder called Windows.old on your C: drive. You can move them back to your Documents or Pictures folder. If you chose Remove everything, those files are gone permanently.
Reinstall programs one at a time from their official websites or from the Microsoft Store. Do not read from third-party sites, because they sometimes bundle unwanted software. If you have the original installation files or product keys for paid programs, keep those in a safe place before you reset.
Backing Up Your Files Before You Reset
The safest way to back up is to copy your important files to an external hard drive or USB stick. Open File Explorer, go to your Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders, and drag them to the external drive. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much you have.
You can also use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. If you have a Microsoft account, OneDrive is already built into Windows 10 — any files you save to your OneDrive folder will sync to the cloud automatically. After the reset, sign in with the same account and your files will read back to your PC.
If you have a lot of files or slow internet, use an external drive. If you have only a few important documents, cloud storage is faster and you do not have to plug anything in.
Troubleshooting a Reset That Fails or Gets Stuck
If the reset starts but your PC freezes or restarts over and over, force it to shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. Windows will usually detect the failed reset and offer to try again or roll back to your previous version.
If you see an error message about not enough disk space, the reset cannot finish. This usually means your C: drive is almost full. Delete large files or programs you do not need, then try the reset again. If your drive is too full to delete anything, you may need to use a Windows installation USB instead — this is more technical and requires another PC to set up.
If your PC will not start at all and you cannot reach the Settings menu, you can reset from a Windows 10 installation USB. You will need another working PC to create the USB using the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. This method is slower and more involved, but it works when the normal reset option is not available.
What to Do After Your PC Is Reset
Once you have signed in and Windows is running again, check Windows Update to make sure you have the latest patches. Open Settings, go to Update & Security, and click Check for updates. Install anything that appears, then restart if prompted.
Reinstall your antivirus software if you use something other than Windows Defender, which comes built in. read it from the official website, not from a search result or email link. Set up your internet connection, email, and any cloud storage accounts you use.
Your PC should now run faster and cleaner than it did before the reset. If it still feels slow after a few days, the problem may be hardware-related — a failing hard drive or not enough RAM — rather than software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will factory reset remove viruses from my PC?
A factory reset removes most viruses because it wipes the hard drive and reinstalls Windows. However, some advanced malware can hide in the firmware or boot sector and survive a reset. If your PC was infected, run Windows Defender or another antivirus program after the reset finishes to make sure the infection is gone.
Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?
You can cancel before the reset actually begins — while Windows is still showing you the confirmation screen. Once the reset process starts and your PC begins restarting, you should not cancel it. Stopping it mid-process can leave your PC in an unusable state. Let it finish, even if it takes longer than expected.
Do I need a Windows product key to reset my PC?
No. If your PC came with Windows 10 pre-installed, the license is tied to your hardware and will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you installed Windows 10 yourself using a product key, Windows will ask you to enter it again after the reset finishes. Have your key ready before you start.
What is the difference between Reset this PC and a clean Windows install?
Reset this PC is built into Windows and takes 20 minutes to an hour. A clean install means downloading Windows from Microsoft, creating a USB drive, and installing it from scratch — this takes longer and is more technical. For most people, Reset this PC is faster and easier. Use a clean install only if Reset this PC fails or if you want to install a different version of Windows.
Will resetting my PC make it faster?
A reset usually makes your PC faster because it removes programs and settings that slow it down over time. However, if your PC is still slow after the reset, the problem is likely hardware — a full hard drive, failing storage, or not enough RAM. A reset cannot fix hardware problems.