What a hard reset does and when you need one
A hard reset wipes your PC back to factory settings, removing all your files, programs, and personal data. It is not the same as restarting — a restart closes programs and reboots the operating system while keeping everything else intact. A hard reset erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows or macOS from scratch.
You should hard reset when your PC has become so slow or unstable that normal fixes do not work: when it freezes constantly, crashes on startup, runs malware you cannot remove, or you are preparing to sell or give away the machine. A hard reset is also the right choice if you have forgotten your login password and cannot access your files any other way.
Before you start, understand that this action cannot be undone. Back up any files you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer. Once the reset begins, everything on your PC will be gone.
Key Takeaways
- A hard reset erases your entire drive and reinstalls your operating system, so back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage first.
- On Windows 10 or 11, use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, which takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed.
- On Mac, restart while holding Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, then use Disk Utility to erase the drive and reinstall macOS.
- You will need your Microsoft account password (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) to complete the reset and sign back in afterward.
- If your PC will not start at all, you can create a bootable USB drive on another computer and reset from that instead.
Hard reset on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then select the Settings app. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Recovery options," click the button labeled Reset this PC.
Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything for a true hard reset. On the next screen, select Local reinstall if your PC starts normally, or Cloud read if you want Windows to read a fresh copy from Microsoft's servers (this is slower but sometimes more reliable). Windows will then show you a summary of what will happen — review it and click Reset to begin.
The process takes between 30 minutes and two hours. Your PC will restart several times and show a progress bar. Do not turn off your computer or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen asking for your language, region, and Microsoft account details. Sign in with the account you used before, and Windows will reinstall your system drivers automatically.
Hard reset on Mac
Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This boots your Mac into Recovery Mode, a special environment separate from your main operating system.
Once Recovery Mode loads, you will see the macOS Utilities window. Open Disk Utility from the list of tools. In Disk Utility, select your main drive (usually called "Macintosh HD" or similar) in the left sidebar, then click the Erase button at the top. Choose APFS as the format and give it a name if you want, then click Erase again to confirm. This wipes the drive completely.
Close Disk Utility and return to the macOS Utilities window. Click Reinstall macOS and follow the prompts. Your Mac will read and install a fresh copy of macOS — this can take one to three hours depending on your internet speed. When finished, your Mac will restart and show the setup screen. Sign in with your Apple ID to restore system settings and preferences.
Hard reset when your PC will not start
If your PC will not boot into Windows or macOS at all, you will need to create a bootable USB drive on a working computer and reset from that. On Windows, read the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, plug in a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger), and run the tool. Select Create installation media for another PC, choose your language and edition, and let it write Windows to the USB drive.
Plug the USB drive into your broken PC, restart it, and press the boot menu key repeatedly as it starts up. The key varies by manufacturer — common ones are F12, F2, Esc, or Del — and your PC usually displays which key to press during startup. Select the USB drive from the boot menu. Windows Setup will load; click Repair your computer at the bottom left, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and proceed as normal.
On Mac, you cannot create a bootable USB the same way. Instead, restart your Mac in Recovery Mode (Command + R) and follow the erase and reinstall steps above. If Recovery Mode itself will not load, your Mac may need service from an Apple Store or authorized technician.
What to do after the reset is complete
After your PC finishes resetting and you sign in, it will be completely blank — no programs except the ones that came with Windows or macOS. Install your web browser first, then read and reinstall the programs you use regularly. Restore your files from your backup by plugging in your external drive or signing into your cloud storage account.
Run Windows Update (on Windows) or Software Update (on Mac) to read the latest security patches. This usually happens automatically, but you can check manually in Settings > Update & Security (Windows) or System Settings > General > Software Update (Mac). Restart your PC once more after updates finish installing.
If you reset because of malware, run a full antivirus scan before restoring your files. Windows Defender (built into Windows) and the Malwarebytes free version are both reliable choices. This ensures you do not restore infected files back onto your clean PC.
Alternatives to a full hard reset
Before you erase everything, try these simpler fixes. If your PC is slow, restart it first — this closes background programs and clears temporary files without erasing anything. If a program is crashing, uninstall it through Settings > Apps (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) and reinstall a fresh copy. If you suspect malware, run a full antivirus scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.
If you have forgotten your Windows password, you can reset it without erasing your files by using another admin account or a password reset disk. On Mac, you can reset your password using your Apple ID or a recovery key without erasing your drive. These options preserve your files and programs, so try them first if you do not have a backup ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a hard reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes. A hard reset erases your entire drive, including any malware. However, if the malware is on an external drive or USB stick you plug back in, you can reinfect your PC. Scan any external drives with antivirus software before connecting them to your freshly reset computer.
Can I undo a hard reset after it starts?
No. Once the reset process begins and starts erasing your drive, you cannot stop it or recover your files. This is why backing up before you start is critical. If you have not backed up yet, do that now and wait to reset until your important files are safe elsewhere.
Do I need my password to hard reset?
You need your Microsoft account password (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) to sign back in after the reset finishes. If you have forgotten it, reset your password on Microsoft.com or Apple.com before you start the hard reset, using a computer or phone you can still access.
How long does a hard reset take?
On Windows, expect 30 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed and internet connection. On Mac, plan for one to three hours, mostly spent downloading and installing macOS. Do not turn off your PC during this time — let it run uninterrupted until you see the setup screen.
What if my PC is still slow after the hard reset?
If your PC is slow after a fresh reset, the problem is likely hardware, not software. Check your available storage space in Settings > System > Storage (Windows) or Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage (Mac) — if you are using more than 90 percent of your drive, that slows everything down. Otherwise, your hard drive or RAM may be failing and need replacement.