What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset wipes your Windows 10 PC back to the state it left the factory — all your files, programs, and settings are removed, and the operating system is reinstalled fresh. This is different from a restart or a standard uninstall. You use it when your PC is running so slowly or crashing so often that normal fixes have not worked, when you are selling or giving away the machine, or when malware has taken hold and you want a clean slate.
Windows 10 gives you two reset paths: Keep my files, which removes programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and music intact, and Remove everything, which deletes everything on the drive. Most people choose Keep my files unless they are passing the PC to someone else or dealing with a serious infection. The process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on your drive speed and how much data you have.
Key Takeaways
- You can reset Windows 10 from Settings without any special tools or discs — the option is built into the operating system.
- Choose Keep my files if you want to save your documents and photos, or Remove everything if you are selling the PC or dealing with malware.
- Back up anything you cannot afford to lose before you start, because even Keep my files removes all your installed programs.
- The reset will ask for your Microsoft account password or PIN during the process, so have that ready.
- After the reset finishes, you will need to reinstall programs like Microsoft Office, Chrome, or Zoom from scratch.
How to start a factory reset from Settings
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing Settings, then click the app when it appears. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under the Reset this PC section, you will see a blue button labeled get your free guide — click it.
Windows will ask you to choose between Keep my files and Remove everything. If you are keeping the PC, choose Keep my files — your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Desktop folders will stay, but every program you installed will be removed. If you are selling it, giving it away, or dealing with an infection, choose Remove everything to delete all personal data. Click your choice and continue.
The system will show you a summary of what will happen. Read it carefully. Then click Reset to begin. Your PC will restart automatically and the reset will run in the background. Do not turn off the machine or unplug it — let it finish, even if the screen goes black or shows a spinning circle for several minutes.
What happens during the reset and how long it takes
After you click Reset, Windows restarts and begins removing files and reinstalling the operating system. You may see a black screen with a spinning circle, a progress bar, or a message saying "Getting things ready" — all of these are normal. The process typically takes 20 to 60 minutes. Older PCs or those with large amounts of data may take longer. Do not interrupt it by restarting, unplugging, or closing the lid.
When the reset is complete, your PC will restart again and show the Windows 10 setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose your language, accept the license terms, and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one or set up a local account instead. After setup finishes, you will be at a clean desktop with no programs except the ones Windows includes by default.
Reinstalling your programs after the reset
Once the reset is done and you are signed in, you will need to reinstall any programs you use regularly. If you chose Keep my files, your documents are still there, but the programs that open them are gone. Go to the Microsoft Store to reinstall Windows apps like Mail or Photos. For other programs, visit the publisher's website — for example, go to google.com to read Chrome, adobe.com for Acrobat Reader, or zoom.us for Zoom.
Keep a list of the programs you use before you reset, so you do not forget any. If you have product keys for paid software like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite, have those ready — you will need them to reinstall and set up. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, sign in to those services and let them sync your files back to your PC.
Backing up before you reset
Even if you choose Keep my files, back up anything critical before you start. The reset process is usually reliable, but it is not risk-free — a power loss or hardware failure during the reset could damage files. The safest approach is to copy your Documents, Pictures, and any other folders with important data to an external drive or to cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
If you have a lot of data, plug in an external hard drive and use File Explorer to drag your folders to it. If you prefer cloud storage, sign in to your cloud service in a web browser, upload your files, and verify they are there before you start the reset. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much you have, but it gives you a safety net if something goes wrong.
Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck or fails
If the reset appears to hang — the screen stays black or on the same message for more than 30 minutes — try waiting a bit longer first, because large drives can take an hour or more. If it is still stuck after 90 minutes, restart the PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try the reset again from Settings.
If you see an error message during the reset, write down the error code and search for it on the Microsoft support website. Common errors like 0x80070005 or 0xC1900101 usually have documented fixes. If the reset fails repeatedly and you cannot find a solution, you may need to use a Windows 10 installation disc or USB drive to do a clean install instead — this is more involved, but it works when the built-in reset does not. Contact Microsoft support or a local computer repair shop if you reach this point.
When to call a professional instead of resetting yourself
A factory reset is safe to do yourself if your PC turns on and you can reach the Settings menu. If your PC will not start at all, shows a black screen with an error code, or is so infected that you cannot open Settings, a reset from within Windows will not work. In those cases, a professional technician can create a bootable USB drive and perform a clean install, or they can diagnose whether the problem is hardware rather than software.
If you are not comfortable with the process or worried about losing data, a local computer repair shop can do the reset for you — it usually costs $50 to $150 and takes a few hours. This is worth the cost if you have irreplaceable files or if you are not confident in your ability to reinstall your programs afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
A factory reset will remove most malware because it deletes all files on the drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, if malware is in your BIOS or firmware (the lowest level of your PC's software), a reset may not remove it. If you suspect a serious infection, choose Remove everything rather than Keep my files, and consider having a technician scan the hardware afterward.
Can I cancel a factory reset once it has started?
If the reset has not progressed past the initial restart, you can sometimes cancel it by clicking the back button or closing the Settings window. Once the reset process begins on the black screen, canceling is not safe — you risk corrupting Windows. If you change your mind, let it finish and then reinstall your programs.
What if I forget my Microsoft account password before resetting?
Reset your Microsoft account password on another device or computer by going to account.microsoft.com and clicking Sign in. Use the password reset option to create a new one. Write it down before you start the factory reset, because you will need it to sign in after the reset is complete.
Do I need the Windows 10 installation disc to factory reset?
No. The factory reset option in Settings uses the recovery files already on your PC, so you do not need a disc or USB drive. If your PC will not start or the reset fails, then you would need an installation disc or USB, but for a normal reset from within Windows, you do not need anything except your Microsoft account password.
Will resetting Windows 10 remove my files if I choose Keep my files?
Keep my files will preserve your Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, and Downloads folders. Everything else — installed programs, browser bookmarks, email accounts, and custom settings — will be removed. If you have files in other locations, back them up first to be safe.