What resetting your PC actually does

A PC reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns Windows to the state it was in when you first turned it on. This is different from restarting — restarting just shuts down and boots back up. A reset wipes the hard drive clean.

You have two reset options in Windows. A "Keep my files" reset removes all programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and music alone. A "Remove everything" reset deletes everything on the drive. Most people choose "Keep my files" because it solves performance problems and removes malware without losing their data.

Reset your PC when it runs slowly despite having free disk space, when malware or viruses have infected it, when you plan to sell or give it away, or when Windows stops responding to normal troubleshooting. Do not reset if you have not backed up files you cannot replace.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you reset, even if you choose "Keep my files," because reset can fail and destroy data.
  • A "Keep my files" reset removes programs and malware but leaves your documents and photos, while "Remove everything" wipes the entire drive.
  • The reset process takes 20 minutes to two hours depending on your drive size and PC speed, and your computer will restart several times.
  • After reset, you will need to reinstall programs like Microsoft Office, your browser, and any other software you use regularly.
  • Windows will ask for your Microsoft account password during reset, so have that information ready before you start.

How to reset Windows 10 or Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click System on the left side. In Windows 10, click Recovery. In Windows 11, click Recovery on the right side of the screen.

Click "Reset this PC" (Windows 10) or "Reset PC" (Windows 11). Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" unless you are selling the PC or need to remove all data. Click Next.

Windows will show you a list of programs it will remove. Review it to confirm you are not losing anything you need to keep. Click Next, then click Reset. Your PC will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off your computer during this time — it may take an hour or more depending on your drive size.

What happens during and after the reset

Your PC will restart multiple times and show a progress bar. The screen may go black for several minutes — this is normal. Leave it alone. When the reset finishes, Windows will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have one, you can create one or sign in with a local account.

After you sign in, Windows will install updates and set up default programs. This can take 15 to 30 minutes. Your desktop will be empty except for the Recycle Bin. All your programs are gone, but your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Downloads folders still contain your files.

Open File Explorer and check your user folder to confirm your files are there. Then reinstall the programs you use most: your web browser, Microsoft Office if you use it, antivirus software, and any other tools you need. Windows comes with Notepad, Calculator, and a basic web browser (Edge), so you have the basics to start.

Backing up before you reset

Even though "Keep my files" is supposed to preserve your documents, backups protect you if the reset fails or your drive has errors. Plug in an external hard drive or USB flash drive with at least as much free space as the files you want to back up.

Open File Explorer, go to your user folder (usually C:\Users\[Your Name]), and copy your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Downloads folders to the external drive. This takes 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. You can also use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox — upload your important files there before you reset.

After the reset finishes, copy your files back from the external drive or read them from cloud storage. This way, even if something goes wrong, you still have your data.

When to choose "Remove everything" instead

Choose "Remove everything" if you are selling the PC, giving it to someone else, or need to destroy all traces of your data. This option wipes the drive so thoroughly that recovery software cannot retrieve deleted files. It takes longer than "Keep my files" — usually 2 to 4 hours — because it overwrites the entire drive.

If you choose "Remove everything," you will lose all your files, programs, and settings. Make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep before you start. After the reset, the PC will be completely blank, and the new owner will need to set it up from scratch with their own Microsoft account.

Troubleshooting if the reset fails

If your PC will not start or Windows will not open, you can reset from the login screen. Restart your PC and watch for a message that says "Reset your PC" or "Troubleshoot." Click it, then choose Reset this PC. Follow the same steps as above.

If the reset starts but gets stuck on a progress screen, wait at least 30 minutes before you do anything — resets can appear frozen while they work. If it is still stuck after an hour, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then try the reset again from Settings.

If you see an error message during reset, write down the error code and search for it on the Microsoft support website. Common errors include "0x80070005" (permission denied) and "0xC1900101" (driver conflict). Microsoft's support pages list the fix for each code.

What to reinstall after your reset

Start with your web browser. Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Edge, but you can read Chrome, Firefox, or another browser from the Microsoft Store or the browser's website. Then install antivirus software — Windows Defender is built in and runs automatically, but you may prefer a third-party option like Avast or Norton.

Next, reinstall programs you use daily: Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader, Zoom, Slack, or whatever tools you need for work. You can find most programs in the Microsoft Store, or read them from the publisher's website. Keep your installation files or product keys in a safe place so you can reinstall quickly if you need to reset again.

Finally, sign in to cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox so your files sync automatically. This way, if your PC fails again, your important documents are already backed up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reset remove my Microsoft account?

No. Reset removes your files and programs but keeps your Microsoft account tied to the PC. You will sign back in with the same account after reset. If you want to remove the account entirely, you can delete it from Settings after reset, but this is not necessary.

Can I cancel a reset once it starts?

Not safely. Once the reset process begins, stopping it can corrupt Windows and make your PC unusable. If you change your mind, wait for the reset to finish, then reinstall your programs from backups. Canceling mid-reset is worse than completing it.

Do I need a Windows installation disc to reset?

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 can reset themselves without a disc or USB drive. The reset files are already on your hard drive. You only need a disc or USB if Windows will not start at all — in that case, you would reinstall Windows instead of resetting it.

Will reset fix a slow PC?

Usually yes, if the slowness is caused by too many programs running at startup, malware, or a cluttered hard drive. Reset removes all of these. If your PC is slow because the hard drive is failing or the processor is old, reset will not help — you would need to replace the hardware.

How often should I reset my PC?

Most people never need to reset. Reset only when your PC has a serious problem like a virus, when it runs slowly despite having free space and few programs, or when you are giving it away. Regular maintenance — uninstalling unused programs, running antivirus scans, and deleting temporary files — prevents the need to reset.