What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings from your Windows PC and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. Everything you installed or created after you first turned it on will be gone. The operating system itself stays the same version you started with.

Factory reset your PC when it runs so slowly that normal troubleshooting won't help, when malware has infected it badly, when you're selling or giving it away, or when you want a completely clean start. It's not the first thing to try for a single broken program or a slow computer—those usually respond to uninstalling software, clearing temporary files, or restarting. But if your PC has become unusable and you've already tried the basics, a factory reset often works.

The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC's speed and how much data it has to remove. You'll need your Windows password, a stable internet connection, and time to sit with the computer while it works. Plan to do this when you don't need the PC for anything else.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows has a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC that you reach through Settings, not a separate program you read.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs and settings, or erase everything on the drive.
  • The reset process requires your Windows password and takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC's speed.
  • Back up any files you want to keep before you start, because even the "keep files" option can sometimes delete things unexpectedly.
  • If your PC won't start normally, you can reset it from the Windows recovery screen using a USB drive or recovery partition.

How to Reset Your PC When Windows Still Starts Normally

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter. Click the search box at the top and type "reset this pc." Click the result that says "Reset this PC" under System settings.

You'll see two options: "Keep my files" and "Remove everything." Choose "Keep my files" if you want to erase all your programs and settings but save your documents, photos, and other personal files. Choose "Remove everything" if you want the drive completely wiped—this is what you want if you're selling the PC or if malware is the reason you're resetting.

Click your choice. Windows will ask whether you want to remove files locally or through the cloud. For most people, "Remove files locally" is faster and works fine. Then click "Reset" and confirm that you're sure. Windows will restart and begin the process. Do not turn off the PC or unplug it while the reset is running.

Keeping Your Files During a Reset

The "Keep my files" option removes all programs and settings but leaves your personal files in place. This is useful when your PC has become slow or unstable because of software you've installed, but you don't want to lose your documents and photos.

Even though Windows says it will keep your files, back them up to an external drive or cloud storage before you start. The reset process occasionally deletes files it shouldn't, and you won't have a way to recover them afterward. A backup takes 10 to 30 minutes and gives you peace of mind.

After the reset finishes, your PC will restart and ask you to set up Windows again, just as if it were brand new. You'll need to sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account, choose your privacy settings, and wait while Windows installs updates. Your files will be there, but you'll need to reinstall any programs you use regularly.

Removing Everything When You Sell or Give Away Your PC

If you're selling your PC or giving it to someone else, choose "Remove everything" to erase all your personal data. This wipes the drive so thoroughly that the files cannot be recovered with standard tools. It's the right choice for privacy.

Before you start, sign out of your Microsoft account, your email, and any other services you use. Remove any USB drives or external hard drives. Then open Settings, search for "reset this pc," and choose "Remove everything." When Windows asks about removing files locally or through the cloud, either option works, but "Remove files locally" is faster.

After the reset, Windows will ask you to set it up again. You can stop at that point and hand the PC to the new owner, who will complete the setup with their own account. Or you can finish the setup yourself and leave it ready to use. Either way, your data is gone.

Resetting a PC That Won't Start Normally

If Windows won't start, you can still reset your PC using the recovery screen. Restart the PC and watch the screen carefully. As soon as you see the Windows logo or a spinning circle, press and hold the power button until the PC shuts down completely. Do this three times in a row. On the third restart, Windows should show a blue screen with options.

Click "Troubleshoot," then "Reset this PC." From here, the process is the same as resetting from Settings—you choose whether to keep files or remove everything, and Windows handles the rest. This method works even if Windows is too broken to start normally.

If the recovery screen doesn't appear after three restart attempts, your PC may need a USB recovery drive. You'll need another computer to create one. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows and follow the steps to read the Windows installation tool. Use it to create a bootable USB drive, then plug that drive into your broken PC, restart it, and boot from the USB. You'll see the Windows setup screen, where you can choose "Repair your computer" and then "Troubleshoot" to access the reset option.

What Happens After the Reset Finishes

When the reset is complete, your PC will restart and show the Windows setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You'll need to choose your language, accept the license terms, and sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. Windows will then read and install updates, which can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed.

After setup finishes, you'll have a clean Windows installation with no programs except the ones that came with Windows. If you chose "Keep my files," your documents, photos, and other personal files will be in your user folder, but you'll need to reinstall programs like your web browser, email client, or Microsoft Office. If you chose "Remove everything," the drive is completely blank except for Windows itself.

Your PC should run noticeably faster after a reset, especially if it was slow because of accumulated software and settings. If it's still slow, the problem may be a hardware issue like a failing hard drive or not enough RAM, which a reset cannot fix.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't unplug the PC or turn it off while the reset is running. The process can take over an hour, and interrupting it can leave your PC in an unusable state. If you need to stop, let it finish first, even if it takes longer than you expected.

Don't assume "Keep my files" means all your data is safe. Back up your important files before you start. The reset process is reliable, but backups take only a few minutes and protect you against the rare case where something goes wrong.

Don't forget your Windows password. You'll need it to sign in during setup. If you don't remember it, you can reset it using another account on the PC, or you can use a Microsoft account password if you set one up. If you have neither, you may not be able to complete the reset.

Don't reset your PC expecting it to fix a problem with a single program. If one program crashes or won't open, uninstall it and reinstall it first. A full reset is a bigger step and should be your last option for software problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it erases all files on your drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. However, some advanced malware can hide in your PC's firmware, which a standard reset doesn't touch. If you suspect serious malware, choose "Remove everything" rather than "Keep my files," and consider having a professional check the PC afterward if the problems continue.

Can I stop the reset once it starts?

You can restart your PC during the reset, but this can leave it in a broken state that's harder to fix than the original problem. Let the reset finish, even if it takes longer than you expected. If your PC is unresponsive, hold the power button for 10 seconds to shut it down, then restart it and try the reset again.

What if I forgot my Windows password?

If you have another account on the PC, sign in with that account and reset your password through Settings. If you only have one account and don't remember the password, you can use your Microsoft account password to sign in instead. If you don't have either, you'll need to create a password reset disk on another PC or contact Microsoft support.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. Older PCs and those with large amounts of data take longer. The "Remove everything" option is usually faster than "Keep my files" because it doesn't have to sort through your files. Don't interrupt the process—let it finish completely.

Will I lose my Windows license after a reset?

No. If your PC came with Windows, your license is tied to the hardware and will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you bought a Windows license separately, you may need to enter your product key during setup. Your license stays valid as long as you're using it on the same PC.