What a factory reset does and when to use it
A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns your PC 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. This is different from restarting your computer—a restart just turns it off and back on, while a factory reset wipes the entire drive and reinstalls Windows.
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 Windows itself has become corrupted and won't start properly. If your PC is just sluggish or freezing occasionally, try closing unused programs, uninstalling software you don't use, or running Windows Update first—those steps often fix the problem without erasing everything.
Before you start, back up any files you want to keep. Copy them to an external drive, a USB stick, or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive. Once you begin the reset, those files will be deleted and cannot be recovered.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on your PC.
- On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to System, select Recovery, and click Reset This PC to start the process from your current Windows installation.
- You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or erase everything—choose based on why you're resetting.
- The reset takes 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your drive speed and which option you choose.
- If Windows won't start at all, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive and reset from there instead of from Settings.
Reset from Settings when Windows still starts
If your PC turns on and Windows loads, the fastest way to factory reset is through the Settings app. Click the Start button in the bottom left, type "Settings" and open it. Then select System from the left menu, scroll down and click Recovery, and you'll see a button labeled Reset This PC.
Click that button and Windows will ask whether you want to Keep My Files or Remove Everything. Choose Keep My Files if you want to erase all your programs and settings but preserve your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders. Choose Remove Everything if you want a complete wipe—this is what you should do if you're selling the PC, giving it away, or dealing with malware. Windows will then ask whether to reinstall from your local drive or read a fresh copy from Microsoft's servers. Downloading is slower but more reliable, so choose that option unless your internet is very slow.
After you click through these choices, Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. Review it, then click Reset to begin. Your PC will restart and the reset will run in the background. Do not turn off your PC or unplug it during this time. The whole process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Reset from a USB drive when Windows won't start
If your PC won't turn on, won't load Windows, or gets stuck on a black screen, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive on a different computer and reset from there. You'll need a USB stick with at least 8 gigabytes of space and a second PC or laptop that works.
On the working computer, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows and read the Windows installation tool. Plug in your USB stick, open the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable drive. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Then take that USB stick to the PC you want to reset, plug it in, and restart the computer.
As your PC starts up, watch for a message that says "Press any key to boot from USB" or similar—the exact wording varies by manufacturer. Press a key quickly. If you miss it, restart and try again. Your PC will then boot from the USB drive and show you the Windows setup screen. Click Repair Your Computer in the bottom left, then Troubleshoot, then Reset This PC, and follow the same steps as above. This method is slower because it's reading from a USB stick, so allow 60 to 90 minutes.
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 be asked to choose your language, accept the license agreement, and create or sign in with a Microsoft account. Use the same Microsoft account you used before if you want to restore your settings and apps from the cloud—Windows will read them automatically. If you use a local account instead, you'll start with a completely blank PC.
After setup finishes, Windows will read and install updates, which can take another 20 to 30 minutes. Let this finish before you start using the PC. Then reinstall any programs you need—Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, or whatever else you use regularly. Restore your files from the backup you made before the reset.
Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is not backing up your files first. Once the reset starts, there is no undo button. If you realize halfway through that you needed something, it's gone. Take 10 minutes to copy your important files to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin.
The second mistake is turning off the PC while the reset is running. Even if it seems stuck or frozen, let it sit for at least an hour before you give up. A reset on an older PC or a full drive can take longer than you expect. If you interrupt it by unplugging the PC or holding the power button, you can corrupt Windows so badly that you'll need professional help to fix it.
A third mistake is choosing the wrong reset option. If you're selling the PC, choose Remove Everything, not Keep My Files. Keeping files doesn't protect your privacy—the new owner could recover your deleted files with free software. If you're just cleaning up a slow PC you're keeping, Keep My Files is fine and saves you time restoring your documents.
When to get help instead of resetting
A factory reset solves most PC problems, but not all. If your PC won't turn on at all—no lights, no fan noise, nothing—the problem is likely hardware, not software. Resetting won't help. If your PC turns on but the screen stays black and you hear beeping, that's also usually a hardware problem. In both cases, take it to a repair shop.
If your PC is very old and slow even after a reset, it may just be outdated. A factory reset won't make a 10-year-old PC run like a new one. If you're dealing with malware that you think survived the reset, or if you're not confident doing this yourself, a professional can handle it faster and more safely than trying it for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes, a complete factory reset (choosing Remove Everything) will remove almost all malware because it deletes everything on your drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in your PC's firmware, which a standard reset won't touch. If you suspect you have serious malware, a professional scan after the reset is a good idea.
Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?
You can cancel it during the initial setup screen before the actual reset begins, but once Windows starts erasing your drive, stopping it can corrupt your system. If you change your mind, wait for it to finish rather than pulling the plug. If it gets stuck for more than two hours, then you can force shut down and try again from a USB drive.
Do I need my Windows product key to reset my PC?
No. If your PC came with Windows pre-installed (most do), Windows is tied to your hardware and will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you installed Windows yourself with a product key, that key is also tied to your hardware and will reactivate. You only need a key if you're moving Windows to a different PC.
How long does a factory reset actually take?
A reset from Settings usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. A reset from a USB drive takes 60 to 90 minutes because USB is slower than your internal drive. Very old PCs or PCs with large drives can take longer. The read option (downloading Windows from Microsoft instead of using your local copy) adds 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.
What if I forgot to back up my files?
If you haven't started the reset yet, stop and back up now. If the reset has already finished, your files are gone and standard recovery software cannot bring them back. If the reset is in progress, stop it when ready by forcing a shutdown, and take your PC to a data recovery service—they may be able to recover your files before they're overwritten, but it's expensive and not may provide.