What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your PC back to the state it left the factory — removing your files, programs, and settings, then reinstalling Windows. It does not fix hardware problems like a failing hard drive or broken screen. It solves software problems: malware that antivirus cannot remove, Windows corruption after a bad update, or a PC so cluttered it barely runs.

You lose everything on the drive unless you back it up first. Programs you installed vanish. Documents, photos, and downloads are gone. Windows itself comes back, but you start from the setup screen again. This is why a reset is a last resort, not a first one — try restarting, running Windows Update, or booting into Safe Mode first.

A reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed and whether you keep your files. You need a working internet connection afterward to read drivers and reinstall programs.

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.
  • Windows 10 and 11 both have a built-in reset tool in Settings under System > Recovery that does not require a USB drive or disc.
  • Choose "Remove everything" to wipe the drive completely, or "Keep my files" to preserve documents and photos while removing programs and settings.
  • After the reset finishes, you will need to sign in with your Microsoft account, reinstall your programs, and read drivers for devices like printers.

Back up your files before you start

Plug in an external hard drive or USB stick with enough space for your documents, photos, and anything else you cannot replace. If you do not have external storage, use OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud service — sign in on your PC, upload your files, and they will be there after the reset.

Do not rely on the "Keep my files" option during reset as your only backup. It usually works, but if something goes wrong during the process, you lose the files anyway. A separate backup takes 10 minutes and costs nothing.

How to reset Windows 10

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to System on the left, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC", click "get your free guide".

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" if you want a complete wipe — this is the standard factory reset. Choose "Keep my files" if you want to remove programs and malware but preserve your documents and photos. Either way, Windows will reinstall itself.

The next screen asks whether to remove files locally or cloud-connected accounts. For a thorough reset, choose "Remove files and clean the drive" — this takes longer but makes recovery of deleted files much harder. Then click Reset, and Windows will restart and begin the process. Do not turn off your PC while it is running.

How to reset Windows 11

Press the Windows key and type "reset", then select "Reset this PC" from the results. You can also go to Settings > System > Recovery and click "Reset PC".

Windows 11 shows the same two choices: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything". Pick the one that matches what you need. On the next screen, you can choose "Local reinstall" (faster, uses files already on your PC) or "Cloud read" (slower, downloads fresh Windows files from Microsoft). Local reinstall is usually fine unless Windows itself is corrupted.

Click Next, review the summary, then click Reset. Your PC will restart and the process will begin. This can take an hour or more on older drives.

What happens after the reset finishes

Your PC will restart and show the Windows setup screen, the same one you see when you first turn on a new computer. Sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one during setup or use a local account (though a Microsoft account makes future resets easier).

Windows will read and install updates, which can take 15 to 30 minutes. Let it finish — do not restart or shut down. Once updates are done, your desktop will appear mostly empty. Your files will be there if you chose "Keep my files", but your programs are gone and you will need to reinstall them.

read drivers for your printer, graphics card, or other devices from the manufacturer's website. Windows Update usually installs basic drivers automatically, but you may need specific ones for full functionality. Then reinstall the programs you use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Slack, whatever you need.

If you cannot access Settings or your PC will not start

If Windows will not boot or you cannot reach Settings, you can reset from the login screen. Restart your PC and watch for a message that says "Press any key to boot from USB" or similar. If you see it, you can use a Windows installation USB (created on another PC using the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website) to reset from there.

If your PC boots to the login screen but you cannot sign in, hold Shift and click the power button in the bottom right, then click Restart. Your PC will boot into recovery mode. From there, go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC and follow the same steps as above.

If your PC will not boot at all and you do not have a Windows USB, you may need to take it to a repair shop. A factory reset from Settings is the easiest route, and it works for most problems.

Reinstalling programs and getting back to normal

After the reset, your PC is clean but empty. Go to the Microsoft Store or the websites of the programs you use and read them again. Most programs remember your settings if you sign in with the same account — Outlook will show your email, Chrome will restore your bookmarks, and so on.

Check Windows Update one more time to make sure all patches are installed. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates". Install anything available, then restart if prompted.

Your PC should now run faster and smoother than before, with no malware or corrupted files. If problems return within a few days, the issue may be hardware-related — a failing drive, overheating, or a power supply problem — and a reset will not fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a complete reset removes almost all malware because it wipes the entire drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. Some rootkits that live in firmware (not on the drive) might survive, but those are rare. If malware returns after a reset, the problem is usually a compromised email account or a reinfected USB drive you plug back in.

Can I undo a factory reset after it is done?

No. Once the reset finishes and you sign in, your old files are gone for good. This is why backing up before you start is essential. If you realize mid-reset that you made a mistake, turn off your PC when ready — the longer it runs, the harder recovery becomes.

How long does a factory reset take?

Between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on your drive speed and whether you chose "Remove everything" or "Keep my files". Older hard drives take longer than solid-state drives. Let it run without interruption — restarting or shutting down during the process can corrupt Windows.

Do I need a Windows product key to reset my PC?

No. If Windows 10 or 11 was already installed on your PC, Microsoft has a record of it tied to your hardware. After the reset, sign in with your Microsoft account and Windows will reactivate automatically. If you used a local account before, you may need to create a Microsoft account during setup.

What if I forgot my password before resetting?

If you cannot sign in, you cannot reach Settings to start a reset. Restart your PC, hold Shift, and click the power button to enter recovery mode, then choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. You can also use another PC to create a Windows installation USB and reset from there, though that is more involved.