What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your HP PC back to the state it left the factory — removing all your files, programs, and settings, then reinstalling Windows fresh. It is not the same as restarting or shutting down. After a factory reset, your desktop will be empty, your installed programs will be gone, and you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account or create a local account again.

Factory reset is useful when your PC has become slow or unstable after months of use, when malware has infected it and you want a clean start, or when you are selling or giving away the computer. It is also the nuclear option when troubleshooting has failed — if your PC will not start normally, a factory reset may be your last resort before calling a technician.

The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and how much data is on the drive. You will need your Microsoft account password or a local password you can remember. If you have files you want to keep, back them up to an external drive or cloud storage before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and reinstalls Windows from scratch — it is permanent and cannot be undone.
  • HP PCs running Windows 10 or 11 use the Settings app to reset; you reach it through Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or remove everything — the "remove everything" option is slower but more thorough.
  • Back up any files you want to keep before starting, because the reset will delete them if you choose the full wipe option.
  • If your PC will not start normally, you can reset from the Windows recovery screen or from a bootable USB drive.

Factory reset from Settings on a working PC

If your HP PC starts up normally and you can log in, the fastest route is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery.

Under the "Recovery options" section, you will see a button labeled Reset this PC. Click it. Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. If you choose "Keep my files", Windows removes all your programs and settings but leaves your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders intact — this takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you choose "Remove everything", Windows deletes everything on the drive and reinstalls Windows fresh — this takes 45 minutes to two hours and is more thorough if you are concerned about malware or selling the PC.

After you choose, Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. Click Next, then Reset. Your PC will restart and the reset will begin. Do not turn off the PC or unplug it during this process — let it run to completion even if the screen goes black or shows a spinning circle for a long time.

Factory reset from the Windows recovery screen

If your HP PC will not start normally — if it gets stuck on the Windows logo, shows a black screen, or loops through restart attempts — you can reset from the recovery screen. Turn off the PC completely. Turn it back on and when ready start pressing the F11 key repeatedly (about once per second) until you see the "Recovering your PC" or "Choose an option" screen. If F11 does not work, try F8 or Esc instead — the key varies by HP model.

Once you reach the recovery screen, look for an option labeled Troubleshoot or Reset this PC. Click it. You will see the same choice: keep files or remove everything. Choose based on what you need — if the PC has malware or will not start, "remove everything" is safer. Follow the prompts to completion. The PC will restart several times during the reset; this is normal.

If you cannot reach the recovery screen with F11 or F8, your PC may need a bootable USB drive (see the next section). If you are not comfortable with that step, contact HP support or a local technician.

Factory reset using a bootable USB drive

If your HP PC will not start at all — not even to the recovery screen — you will need another computer and a USB drive to create bootable recovery media. On a working computer, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows and read the Windows Media Creation Tool. Plug in a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space (it will be erased), open the Media Creation Tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable Windows installation drive.

Take the USB drive to your HP PC, plug it in, and turn on the PC. when ready start pressing F9 or Esc (the key varies by model) to open the boot menu. Select the USB drive from the list. Windows setup will start. When you reach the screen that says "Repair your computer" or "Troubleshoot", click Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and follow the prompts to choose keep files or remove everything.

This route is more technical and takes longer, but it works when the PC will not start any other way. If you are not comfortable with these steps, a technician can do this for you.

What happens after the reset is complete

When the reset finishes, your HP PC will restart and show the Windows setup screen. You will be asked to choose your language, region, and keyboard layout, then to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you use a Microsoft account, your settings and some apps may sync back to the PC — this is normal. If you created a local account, you will start with a blank desktop.

Your PC will be slower than usual for the first 10 to 15 minutes as Windows indexes files and updates drivers. Let it sit without interruption during this time. After that, you can reinstall your programs from their original installers or from the Microsoft Store, and restore your files from your backup.

If you chose "Keep my files" during the reset, your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders will be on the desktop in a folder called "Old PC". You can move files from there back to their normal locations.

Backing up your files before you reset

If you plan to choose "Remove everything" during the reset, back up any files you want to keep first. The simplest method is to plug in an external USB drive, open File Explorer, and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. This takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

Alternatively, you can upload files to OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud storage service. Sign in to your account in a web browser, click the upload button, and select the folders you want to save. This is slower than a USB drive but works even if you do not have an external drive handy.

If you choose "Keep my files" during the reset, your files will stay on the PC, so backing up is optional — but it is still a good idea in case something goes wrong during the reset.

Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck

If the reset starts but gets stuck on a loading screen or spinning circle for more than an hour, your PC may have a hardware problem or a corrupted drive. First, wait at least two hours — some resets genuinely take that long, especially on older PCs or if the drive is nearly full. If nothing changes after two hours, force the PC to shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds.

Turn the PC back on and try the reset again from the recovery screen (F11 or F8). If it gets stuck again in the same place, the drive may be failing. At this point, contact HP support or a local technician — they can run diagnostics to check the drive and may be able to replace it if it is still under warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it wipes the entire drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in the firmware (the code that runs before Windows starts). If you are concerned about persistent malware, choose "Remove everything" rather than "Keep my files" — this is more thorough. After the reset, install antivirus software and run a full scan before using the PC normally.

Can I undo a factory reset after it is done?

No. A factory reset is permanent. If you chose "Remove everything", all your files are gone and cannot be recovered unless you have a backup. If you chose "Keep my files", your Documents and Pictures folders are still there, but all your programs and settings are gone. Always back up important files before starting a reset.

What if I forget my password after the reset?

If you used a Microsoft account, go to the Windows sign-in screen and click "I forgot my password". You will be guided to reset it using your email or phone number. If you used a local account and forgot the password, you will need to create a new local account or use a Microsoft account instead — there is no way to recover a forgotten local password without reinstalling Windows again.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

If you choose "Keep my files", expect 15 to 30 minutes on a modern PC with a solid-state drive (SSD). If you choose "Remove everything", expect 45 minutes to two hours. Older PCs with traditional hard drives (HDD) take longer — sometimes three to four hours. The PC will restart several times during the process; this is normal and does not mean it is stuck.

Do I need internet during a factory reset?

You do not need internet during the reset itself, but you will need it afterward to sign in with a Microsoft account, read Windows updates, and reinstall your programs. If your internet is slow, the updates and reinstalls will take much longer. A wired Ethernet connection is faster than Wi-Fi if your PC has an Ethernet port.