What a Factory Reset from BIOS Does

A factory reset from BIOS wipes your hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch, removing all your files, programs, and settings. This is different from a standard Windows reset—it bypasses the operating system entirely and works even when Windows won't start. You are essentially telling your computer to erase everything and begin again, which takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed.

Most people use this route when Windows is corrupted, won't boot, or is so slow it's unusable. It's also the most thorough way to remove malware. The trade-off is that you lose everything on that drive unless you backed it up first, so this is a last resort, not a first step.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because a factory reset deletes everything on your PC.
  • You need a Windows installation USB or DVD and a second computer to create it if your PC won't start.
  • Enter BIOS by restarting your PC and pressing Delete, F2, F10, or Esc during startup—the key depends on your motherboard brand.
  • Change the boot order in BIOS so your PC starts from the USB or DVD instead of the hard drive.
  • Follow the Windows Setup wizard to reinstall Windows, then read drivers and updates after the reset completes.

Back Up Your Files Before You Start

A factory reset erases your entire hard drive. Before you touch BIOS, move anything you want to keep to an external USB drive, an external hard drive, or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive. This includes documents, photos, videos, and any files in your Desktop or Downloads folder.

If your PC won't start at all, you may not be able to back anything up from that machine. In that case, you can try connecting the hard drive to another PC using a USB adapter (available at any electronics store for $10–20), but this only works if the drive itself is not physically damaged. If you cannot access your files this way, they are likely gone after the reset.

Create a Windows Installation USB or DVD

You need a way to tell your PC to reinstall Windows. Microsoft provides a free tool called the Windows Media Creation Tool that builds a bootable USB drive or DVD with Windows on it. You run this tool on a different computer that already works.

Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows and read the Media Creation Tool. You will need a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger) or a blank DVD. Plug the USB into the working computer, run the tool, and follow the prompts to select your Windows version and language. The tool copies Windows files to the USB, which takes 10–15 minutes. Once it finishes, label the USB "Windows Install" and set it aside.

If you do not have access to another computer, ask a friend or family member to create the USB for you. You can also visit a library or internet café and create it there.

Enter BIOS and Change the Boot Order

BIOS is a menu that runs before Windows loads. To enter it, restart your PC and press a specific key during startup—before the Windows logo appears. The key varies by motherboard manufacturer: try Delete, F2, F10, or Esc. You may see a message on the startup screen that says "Press [key] to enter Setup" or "Press [key] for BIOS"—that tells you which key to use.

If you miss the window, restart again and try earlier. You have only a few seconds. Once you are in BIOS, look for a menu called Boot, Boot Order, or Boot Sequence. This menu lists the devices your PC checks for an operating system, in order. Move the USB drive or DVD drive to the top of the list so your PC starts from the Windows installation media instead of the hard drive. The exact steps depend on your BIOS version, but you usually highlight the USB entry and press Enter or use arrow keys to move it up. Save your changes (usually by pressing F10) and exit.

Install Windows Using the Setup Wizard

Your PC will now restart and boot from the USB or DVD. The Windows Setup wizard will appear. Select your language, time zone, and keyboard layout, then click Install Now. When asked where to install Windows, select your main hard drive—this is usually labeled as "Drive 0" or shows the size of your drive. Click Delete or Format to erase it completely, then click Next to begin the installation.

Windows will copy files and install itself. This takes 20–60 minutes depending on your drive speed. Your PC will restart several times during this process—do not unplug it or turn it off. Once the installation finishes, you will see the Windows login screen. Create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account, and Windows will read basic drivers automatically.

read Drivers and Windows Updates After Reset

After Windows finishes installing, your PC may not recognize your network card, graphics card, or other hardware. You need to read drivers—software that tells Windows how to use each piece of hardware. If you cannot connect to the internet, use the USB drive on another computer to read drivers from your PC manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.) and transfer them to your PC.

Once you have internet access, open Windows Update (search for it in the Start menu) and let it read and install all available updates. This includes security patches and driver updates. Restart your PC when prompted. After updates finish, your PC should recognize all hardware and run normally.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not unplug your PC or remove the USB drive during installation. If the power cuts out or you interrupt the process, Windows may not install correctly and you will have to start over. If you have a laptop, plug it in before you begin.

Do not select the wrong drive during setup. If you have multiple drives, double-check the size and label before you delete anything. Deleting the wrong drive means losing data you did not intend to erase.

Do not skip Windows Update after the reset. Your PC is vulnerable to malware until security patches are installed. Let Windows Update run fully, even if it takes an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot get into BIOS?

Try restarting and pressing the key earlier—you have only a few seconds. If you still cannot enter BIOS, look up your motherboard model online and search for "[model] how to enter BIOS" to find the correct key. Some older PCs use different keys. If your PC has a password-protected BIOS, you may need to contact the manufacturer or a technician.

Can I factory reset without a USB drive?

You need some way to boot into Windows Setup. A DVD works the same way as a USB drive if your PC has a DVD drive. If you have neither, you can create a bootable USB on another computer, or contact a repair shop to do the reset for you.

Will factory reset remove a virus?

Yes. A factory reset erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows fresh, so any malware is removed. However, if the virus is on an external drive or USB, you can reinfect your PC after the reset. Scan any external drives on a different computer before you plug them back in.

How long does a factory reset take?

The entire process—creating the USB, entering BIOS, installing Windows, and downloading updates—usually takes two to four hours. The Windows installation itself takes 20–60 minutes. If your internet is slow, Windows Update can take an additional hour or more.

Do I need a Windows license key after the reset?

If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, your license is tied to the motherboard and Windows will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you purchased Windows separately, you will need the product key to reactivate it. Microsoft will prompt you during setup if a key is required.