What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns your Windows 10 PC to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a restart or a straightforward uninstall — it wipes the entire drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. Use a factory reset when your PC is running slowly due to accumulated clutter, when malware is suspected and you want a clean slate, when you are selling or giving away the computer, or when Windows itself has become unstable and won't repair through normal troubleshooting.

Before you start, understand that a factory reset is permanent. Every photo, document, email, and installed program will be gone. Back up anything you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer first. The reset process itself takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC's speed and drive size.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 has a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC that you access through Settings, not a separate read or disc.
  • You must back up all your files before starting, because the reset deletes everything on your PC.
  • You have two options: keep your Windows license and reinstall Windows only, or remove everything including Windows and start completely fresh.
  • The reset process runs automatically once you start it, but your PC will restart multiple times and may appear frozen for several minutes — this is normal.
  • After the reset finishes, you will need to sign in with a Microsoft account or local account and reinstall your programs one by one.

Back Up Your Files Before You Begin

Open File Explorer and look at what is in your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders. These are the places Windows stores your personal files by default. Plug in an external USB drive or external hard drive with enough space — if you have 200 gigabytes of files, you need a drive with at least 250 gigabytes of free space. Drag your folders to the external drive, or use the built-in Backup feature in Windows Settings.

To use the built-in backup, open Settings, go to System, then select Backup. Click "Back up using File History" and choose your external drive as the destination. Windows will copy your files automatically. This takes longer than dragging and dropping, but it is safer because it keeps track of versions. Do not skip this step — once the reset starts, there is no way to recover your files.

Open the Reset This PC Tool

Click the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Type "reset this pc" into the search box and press Enter. Windows will show you an option called "Reset this PC" — click it. A window titled "Recovery" will open. Look for the button that says "get your free guide" under the "Reset this PC" heading and click it.

Windows will ask you to choose between two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." If you choose "Keep my files," Windows will delete all your programs and settings but leave your personal documents, photos, and music in place. If you choose "Remove everything," Windows will delete everything on the drive. For a true factory reset, choose "Remove everything."

Choose Your Reset Method

After you select "Remove everything," Windows shows you two more options: "Local reinstall" or "Cloud read." Local reinstall uses the reset files already stored on your PC, which is faster — usually 45 minutes to an hour. Cloud read downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers, which takes longer but ensures you get the absolute latest version. If your internet connection is slow or unreliable, choose Local reinstall. If your PC has been infected or you want the newest Windows files, choose Cloud read.

Next, Windows asks whether you want to remove files securely. If you are keeping the PC, you can skip this — it just takes longer. If you are selling or donating the PC, choose "Full clean" so that deleted files cannot be recovered by someone with special tools. This adds another hour to the process but is worth it for privacy.

Start the Reset and Wait for Completion

Click "Reset" to begin. Windows will warn you one final time that everything will be deleted. Click "Reset" again to confirm. Your PC will restart automatically — do not turn it off or unplug it during this process, even if the screen goes black or shows a spinning circle for several minutes. This is normal. The reset can take 45 minutes to two hours depending on which method you chose and how fast your drive is.

During the reset, your PC will restart several times. You may see a black screen with a Windows logo, or a blue screen with a progress bar. Leave it alone. Do not press any keys or move the mouse. If the screen has not changed in 30 minutes, you can check whether the drive light on your PC is blinking — if it is, the reset is still running. Only force a shutdown if the screen has been completely frozen with no activity for more than an hour.

Sign In and Reinstall Your Programs

When the reset finishes, your PC will boot into a fresh Windows 10 setup screen. You will see a series of questions about your language, region, and keyboard layout. Answer these, then sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you use a Microsoft account, Windows will read your settings and some of your apps automatically — this takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you use a local account, you will start with a blank desktop.

After sign-in, open the Microsoft Store and search for the programs you use most — web browsers, email clients, office software, media players. Reinstall them one by one. If you have programs that are not in the Microsoft Store, you will need to read the installers from the publisher's website. This is a good time to uninstall programs you no longer use and keep only what you actually need.

Restore Your Files from Backup

Plug in the external drive where you backed up your files. Open File Explorer and navigate to your backup drive. Copy your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and any other folders back to your PC. If you used File History for backup, go to Settings, System, Backup, and click "Restore files from a current backup." Windows will show you a list of your backed-up files and let you choose which ones to restore and where to put them.

Check that all your files are in the right places before you unplug the external drive. Open a few documents to make sure they are readable. If you backed up email, you will need to sign back into your email account in your email program — the reset deleted your stored passwords, so you will have to enter them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

Yes, but only in the first few seconds before the actual deletion begins. If you see the initial warning screen, you can click Cancel. Once the reset process has started and you see the progress bar or the PC has restarted, stopping it will leave your drive in an unusable state. Let it finish.

Will a factory reset remove a virus?

Yes, a factory reset will remove almost all viruses because it deletes everything on the drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in your PC's firmware (the code that runs before Windows loads). If you suspect a serious infection, run a full antivirus scan before the reset, and consider taking your PC to a professional if the problem returns after the reset.

Do I need the Windows 10 installation disc or USB drive?

No. The Reset this PC tool is built into Windows 10 and does not require a disc or USB drive. It either uses the reset files already on your PC (Local reinstall) or downloads them from Microsoft (Cloud read). You only need a USB drive if you want to create a Windows 10 recovery drive for future use, which is optional.

What if I forgot my password before the reset?

You can still start the reset from the sign-in screen. Click "I forgot my password" and follow the steps to reset it using your Microsoft account email or phone number. Once you have access again, you can proceed with the factory reset. If you are using a local account and have forgotten the password, you will need to use another admin account on the PC to start the reset.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

The entire process from start to finish usually takes one to three hours. Local reinstall is faster (45 minutes to an hour), while Cloud read can take two to three hours depending on your internet speed. The time also depends on your drive size and speed — older or larger drives take longer. Plan for at least two hours to be safe.