What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns Windows 10 to the state it was in when you first turned on the machine. Everything you installed after that — documents, photos, software, email accounts, browser history — gets deleted. The operating system itself goes back to its original version.

Factory reset is useful when your PC runs slowly, crashes often, won't start properly, or has malware you cannot remove through normal means. It is also the right choice before selling or giving away a computer, since it erases your personal data completely. Do not use it as a quick fix for a single slow program — uninstalling that program is faster and safer.

The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC's speed and whether you choose to keep your Windows installation files on the drive. You will need your Windows 10 product key or a Microsoft account linked to your PC, though in many cases Windows will reactivate automatically after the reset.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because factory reset deletes everything on your PC.
  • Windows 10 offers two reset paths: "Reset this PC" (built-in, fastest) and "Fresh Start" (removes bloatware, slightly slower).
  • You can choose to keep your files during reset, though this is slower and sometimes leaves behind corrupted data — a full wipe is more reliable.
  • After reset, Windows will ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account, and you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files.

Back Up Your Files Before You Start

Factory reset is permanent. Once you begin, you cannot undo it. Before you touch any reset button, copy everything you want to keep to an external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

The fastest way is to plug in an external drive, open File Explorer, and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. If you have a lot of data, this can take an hour or more — start it and let it run. Check that the files actually copied by opening the external drive and spot-checking a few folders.

If you use cloud storage, sign in to your account on the PC and make sure your important folders are synced. OneDrive, for example, will show a green checkmark next to folders that have finished uploading. Do not skip this step. People often regret it.

How to Reset Windows 10 Using Settings

The easiest method is the built-in reset tool. Click the Start button (Windows logo in the bottom left), type "reset this pc" into the search box, and click the result that says "Reset this PC". A window will open with two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything".

Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset. If you choose "Keep my files", Windows will delete your programs and settings but leave your personal documents and photos in place — this is slower and sometimes leaves behind corrupted files that cause problems later, so the full wipe is usually better.

Windows will ask whether you want to remove files locally or use cloud reset. "Remove files locally" is faster if your internet is slow. "Remove files using cloud reset" uploads your data to Microsoft's servers before wiping the drive, which is safer but requires a good internet connection. Either way, the result is the same.

Click "Reset" and confirm when Windows asks if you are sure. The PC will restart and show a progress screen. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it — let it finish, even if it seems stuck. This can take one to two hours on older machines.

Using Fresh Start for a Cleaner Reset

Windows 10 also offers a tool called "Fresh Start" (sometimes called "Reset this PC" with a Microsoft Store option). This removes Windows 10 and reinstalls a clean copy from Microsoft's servers, which removes bloatware and pre-installed programs that came with your PC.

To find Fresh Start, open the Microsoft Store app, click the three dots in the top right, select "Settings", scroll down to "Reset this PC", and click "get your free guide". The process is similar to the standard reset: you choose to keep or remove files, confirm, and let it run.

Fresh Start takes slightly longer than the standard reset because it downloads a fresh copy of Windows from the internet, but the result is a cleaner system with fewer hidden programs running in the background. If your PC came loaded with manufacturer software you do not use, Fresh Start is worth the extra time.

What Happens During and After the Reset

Once you click Reset, Windows will restart your PC several times. You will see a spinning circle or progress bar. The screen may go black for a few minutes — this is normal. Do not restart the computer yourself or unplug it. If the reset seems to hang for more than three hours, restart manually by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.

When the reset finishes, Windows will ask you to set up your PC as if it were brand new. You will choose your language and region, create or sign in to a Microsoft account, set a password, and choose privacy settings. Take your time here — these choices affect how your PC works going forward.

After setup, your desktop will be empty except for the Recycle Bin and a few Windows icons. All your old programs are gone. You will need to reinstall anything you use regularly — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, antivirus software, and so on. Restore your files from the external drive or cloud storage by dragging them back into your Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders.

Reactivating Windows After Reset

Windows 10 usually reactivates automatically if you sign in with the Microsoft account that was linked to your PC before the reset. If you used a local account (no Microsoft login), you may see a message saying Windows is not activated. This does not prevent you from using your PC, but you will see a watermark in the corner of your screen.

To reactivate, go to Settings, click "Update & Security", then "set up". If Windows recognizes your product key, click "Troubleshoot" and follow the prompts. If you have the product key written down, you can enter it here. If you do not have the key and cannot reactivate, you can still use Windows — the watermark is the main limitation.

If you bought Windows 10 as a standalone license (not with a new PC), keep your product key in a safe place. You will need it if you reset again or move Windows to a different computer. If Windows came pre-installed on your PC, the key is usually tied to your hardware and will reactivate automatically.

Troubleshooting a Reset That Will Not Start

If the reset button does nothing or Windows will not start at all, you may need to use a recovery drive. Plug a USB stick into your PC, go to Settings, click "Update & Security", then "Recovery", and look for "Reset this PC". If that option is grayed out, click "get your free guide" under "Advanced startup" instead.

Advanced startup will restart your PC into a special menu where you can choose "Troubleshoot", then "Reset this PC". This works even if Windows will not load normally. You will need the USB stick to be at least 8 GB and empty before you start.

If your PC will not start at all and you cannot reach the recovery menu, you may need to create a recovery drive on another computer. Go to Settings on a working Windows 10 PC, search for "recovery drive", and follow the prompts. Plug that drive into your broken PC, restart, and press F12 or Delete during startup to boot from the USB stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a full factory reset removes almost all malware because it deletes everything on your drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. However, if malware is in your BIOS or firmware (the lowest level of your computer), a reset will not remove it. This is rare. For most cases, factory reset solves the problem.

Can I cancel a reset once it starts?

Not safely. If you force restart your PC during a reset, you risk corrupting Windows so badly that it will not start at all. If you change your mind, wait for the reset to finish, then restore your files from backup and reinstall your programs. It is faster than trying to stop it halfway.

What if I forgot my Windows password?

Factory reset will erase your password along with everything else, so you will not need it. During setup after the reset, you can create a new password or sign in with a Microsoft account instead. If you want to keep your files, you will need to know your password before you start the reset.

How long does factory reset take?

A typical reset takes 30 minutes to two hours. Older PCs with slow hard drives may take longer. Fresh Start usually takes 45 minutes to three hours because it downloads a fresh copy of Windows. Do not interrupt the process — let it run to completion even if it seems slow.

Do I need my product key to reset Windows 10?

Usually no. If Windows was pre-installed on your PC or linked to a Microsoft account, it will reactivate automatically after reset. If you bought a standalone license, keep your product key written down in case you need to reactivate manually. You can find your key in your email receipt or Microsoft account.