What a factory reset does and when to use it

A factory reset wipes your Windows PC back to the state it left the factory — removing all your files, programs, and settings, then reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows. It is not the same as restarting your computer. A restart closes and reopens Windows while keeping everything intact. A factory reset erases the entire drive and starts over.

Use a factory reset when your PC has become too slow or unstable to fix any other way, when you are selling or giving away the computer, or when malware has infected it so deeply that antivirus software cannot clean it. If your PC is straightforward running slowly, try uninstalling unused programs or running Disk Cleanup first — those steps often work without erasing anything.

Windows calls this process "Reset this PC" and builds it into the Settings app. You do not need a separate tool or disc, though you will need your Windows product key or a Microsoft account to prove you own the license.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset erases everything on your PC.
  • Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have a built-in reset tool in Settings under System > Recovery that does not require a disc or USB drive.
  • You will need either your Windows product key or the Microsoft account you used to sign in to complete the reset.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed and whether you choose to keep or remove your files first.
  • After the reset finishes, Windows will ask you to sign in again and reinstall your programs from scratch.

Back up your files before you start

A factory reset erases everything on your PC's main drive. Before you begin, copy all files you want to keep to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This includes documents, photos, videos, music, and any other personal files.

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 files, this may take an hour or more. If you use OneDrive or another cloud service, check that your files have already synced to the cloud — you can see this in the OneDrive folder on your PC.

Do not rely on cloud backup alone unless you are certain it is turned on. Check your cloud service's settings to confirm your files are actually uploading. Once you have confirmed your backup is complete, you are ready to reset.

How to reset Windows 10

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then pressing Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery.

Under "Reset this PC", click the blue "get your free guide" button. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a full factory reset. If you only want to remove programs and settings but keep your personal files, choose "Keep my files" — though this is less thorough and may not fix deep problems.

Windows will then ask how you want to reinstall Windows. Choose "Cloud read" if your internet connection is fast and stable. Choose "Local reinstall" if your connection is slow or unreliable — this uses a copy of Windows already on your PC. Cloud read takes longer but ensures you get the latest version of Windows.

Next, Windows will show a list of apps that came with your PC. You can choose to remove them or keep them. Most people remove them to start fresh. Click "Next", review the summary, and click "Reset". Your PC will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off your PC during this time — it may take 30 minutes to two hours.

How to reset Windows 11

The process in Windows 11 is nearly identical. Open Settings, click System in the left sidebar, scroll down, and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC", click "Reset PC".

Choose "Remove everything" for a full factory reset. Windows will ask whether to use Cloud read or Local reinstall — Cloud read is recommended if your internet is stable. You will then see a list of preinstalled apps you can remove or keep. Most people remove them.

Review the summary and click "Reset". Your PC will restart and begin the reset. The process typically takes 45 minutes to two hours. Your screen will go black several times and show a spinning circle — this is normal. Do not interrupt the process.

When the reset finishes, your PC will restart and show the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account or local account, choose your language and keyboard layout, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete setup.

What to do if you forgot your password or product key

If you cannot remember the password for your Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com on another device and click "Can't access your account?" Follow the steps to verify your identity and reset your password. You can use a backup email, phone number, or security questions to prove you own the account.

If you do not have a Microsoft account and cannot remember your local Windows password, you cannot reset your PC without additional steps. You will need to use another computer to create a password reset disc or USB drive, or contact Microsoft Support for help.

If you do not have your Windows product key, check your email for a receipt from Microsoft if you bought Windows online. If you bought a physical copy, the key is on the back of the case or on a card inside. If you built your PC with Windows already installed, the key may be on a sticker on the back or side of your case. If you cannot find it, you can still reset and reinstall Windows — you will straightforward be prompted to enter the key later, and you can skip this step temporarily.

After the reset: reinstalling programs and restoring files

Once Windows finishes setting up, your PC will be blank except for the built-in Windows apps. You will need to reinstall any programs you use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, Slack, or whatever else you need. read each program from its official website or from the Microsoft Store.

Restore your personal files by copying them back from your external drive or cloud storage. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in, open File Explorer, and drag your files back to your Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders. If you backed up to OneDrive or Google Drive, sign in to your account and read the files you need.

This process can take several hours depending on how many programs you use and how much data you have. Many people find it helpful to reinstall only the programs they actually use, rather than everything they had before — this keeps the PC leaner and faster.

Troubleshooting a reset that will not start or gets stuck

If the reset button does not appear in Settings, your PC may not have enough free space. Delete large files or programs you do not need, or connect an external drive to free up space on your main drive. Windows needs at least a few gigabytes free to begin the reset.

If the reset starts but gets stuck on a loading screen, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming something is wrong — resets can be slow on older PCs or full drives. If it is still stuck after an hour, restart your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try the reset again.

If you see an error message, write down the error code and search for it on the Microsoft Support website. Common errors include "0x80070005" (permission issue) and "0x80004005" (file system error). Most can be fixed by running the reset again or by freeing up more disk space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes. A factory reset erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch, which removes any malware, viruses, or spyware that was on your PC. This is one of the most reliable ways to clean a heavily infected computer. However, if malware is on an external drive or in cloud storage, it will not be removed — only the files on your main drive are erased.

Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?

You should not cancel once the reset has begun, because interrupting it can leave your PC in an unusable state. If you must stop it, wait until the reset finishes or restart your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds. You may then need to run the reset again from the beginning.

Do I need a Windows installation disc or USB drive?

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have the reset tool built in, so you do not need a disc or USB drive. The reset downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers (Cloud read) or uses a copy already on your PC (Local reinstall). You only need a disc or USB if you are resetting a PC that will not start up at all.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your drive speed and how much data is being erased. After that, you will need additional time to sign in, reinstall programs, and restore your files — this can add several more hours. Plan for a full afternoon or evening if you have many programs to reinstall.

Will I lose my Microsoft Office license after a reset?

No. If you own a Microsoft Office license tied to your Microsoft account, you can sign in and reinstall Office after the reset. If you have a product key for a standalone copy of Office, you will need to enter that key again during reinstallation. Your license remains valid — you are just reinstalling the software.