How to Reset Your PC to Factory Settings

What a factory reset does and when to use it

A factory reset wipes your PC and reinstalls Windows from scratch, removing all your files, programs, and settings. It returns your machine to the state it left the factory. Use this when your PC is slow or unstable from accumulated software, when you are selling or giving away the machine, or when malware has taken hold and you want a clean start.

The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC's speed and whether you choose to keep your files. Windows will restart several times during the process. You should plug in your PC and clear your schedule before you start.

If you only want to remove a few programs or fix a specific problem, a factory reset is overkill. If your PC is running slowly, try uninstalling unused programs or running Windows Update first. If a single program is crashing, reinstall that program rather than resetting the whole machine.

Key Takeaways

Windows 10 and 11 both have a built-in reset tool in Settings under System > Recovery that does not require installation media or a product key.
You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or erase everything and start completely fresh.
The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours and requires your PC to stay plugged in and uninterrupted.
Before you reset, back up any files you want to keep, write down your Wi-Fi password, and sign out of programs like Outlook and OneDrive.
If your PC will not start or reach the Settings menu, you can reset from the Windows login screen or from a recovery USB drive.

How to reset Windows 10 or 11 from Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Reset this PC", click the blue "Reset PC" button.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" if you want to erase programs and settings but preserve your documents, photos, and downloads. Choose "Remove everything" if you are selling the PC or want a completely clean slate. If you choose to remove everything, Windows will ask whether you want to remove files securely (slower, more thorough) or quickly (faster, but files can theoretically be recovered with special tools).

Next, Windows asks whether you want to reinstall from the cloud or from your local drive. Cloud reinstall downloads Windows fresh from Microsoft's servers and takes longer but ensures you get the latest version. Local reinstall uses files already on your PC and is faster. Either option works; choose local unless your internet is very slow.

Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. Your PC will restart and show a progress screen. Do not turn off your PC or unplug it. The process will restart your machine several times. When it finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen where you can sign in with your Microsoft account.

Preparing your PC before you reset

Back up any files you want to keep. If you chose "Keep my files", your documents and downloads will stay, but it is still wise to copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage as a safety net. If you chose "Remove everything", this is your final note to save anything.

Write down your Wi-Fi password before you reset. After the reset, you will need it to connect to the internet during setup. If you have it saved in your browser, you will not be able to look it up once Windows is gone.

Sign out of programs that use your account, such as Outlook, OneDrive, or Adobe Creative Cloud. This prevents those programs from getting stuck during the reset. Close your browser and any other open programs. Plug in your power adapter and make sure your battery is at least 50 percent charged.

If you are resetting because of malware, run a full scan with Windows Defender (built into Windows) or Malwarebytes before you reset. This does not always catch everything, but it may remove the infection without needing a full reset.

Resetting a PC that will not start normally

If your PC will not boot into Windows, you can still reset it from the login screen. Restart your PC and watch for a message that says "Press any key to boot from recovery" or similar. Follow the on-screen prompts. If no message appears, try holding down the Shift key while clicking the power button to shut down, then turn it back on and watch for recovery options.

On some PCs, especially older ones, you may need to create a recovery USB drive on another computer. Go to Microsoft's Windows read page on a working PC, read the Windows installation tool, and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. Plug that drive into your broken PC, restart it, and boot from the USB drive. The Windows setup screen will appear, and you can choose to repair or reset your PC from there.

If your PC has a manufacturer recovery partition (common on Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus machines), you can often access it by restarting and pressing a specific key during startup — usually F11, F12, or Del, depending on the brand. Check your PC's manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact key. This recovery partition may offer a faster reset using the manufacturer's version of Windows.

What happens after the reset is complete

When the reset finishes, you will see the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Windows will read your settings, wallpaper, and some of your programs if you have them linked to your account. This can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.

You will need to reinstall programs you use regularly. Windows comes with Edge, Notepad, and a few built-in apps, but programs like Chrome, Office, Zoom, or Spotify must be downloaded and installed fresh. If you kept your files, they will be in your Documents, Downloads, and Pictures folders where you left them.

Run Windows Update to read the latest security patches and drivers. Press the Windows key, type "update", and click "Check for updates". Let it run completely; this may take 20 to 30 minutes and require a restart. Your PC should now run faster and more smoothly than before the reset.

Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck

If the reset progress bar stops moving for more than 30 minutes, your PC may be frozen. Wait a full hour before taking action, as large resets can take longer than expected. If it is truly stuck, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it back on. Windows will usually resume the reset process or offer to try again.

If the reset fails with an error message, write down the error code and search for it on Microsoft's support site. Common errors like "0x80070005" or "0x8007025d" usually mean a file is corrupted or a driver is interfering. Try the reset again, and if it fails a second time, create a recovery USB drive and reset from that instead.

If your PC resets successfully but then runs slowly or crashes frequently, the problem may not have been software. Run a disk check by opening Command Prompt as administrator, typing "chkdsk /f", and restarting. If errors appear, your hard drive may be failing and may need replacement.

Keeping your reset PC running smoothly

After a reset, avoid installing programs you do not actually use. Each program you install slows down startup and uses disk space. Uninstall anything you have not opened in three months. Use the built-in Settings app to manage startup programs: go to Settings > Apps > Startup and turn off programs you do not need running in the background.

Run Windows Update once a month to stay current with security patches. Set up automatic updates so you do not have to remember. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and make sure "Automatically read and install updates" is turned on.

Back up your files regularly to an external drive or cloud storage. If your PC fails again, you will not lose your work. Windows includes a built-in backup tool called File History; go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Options > Backup Options to turn it on.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. If your PC came with Windows 10 or 11 pre-installed, the license is tied to your hardware and will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you installed Windows yourself with a product key, write down that key before you reset, then enter it during setup after the reset is complete.

Will resetting my PC remove viruses?

A factory reset removes most malware because it wipes the entire drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in your firmware or BIOS, which a standard reset does not touch. If you suspect a serious infection, run a malware scan before resetting, and if problems persist after the reset, contact a technician.

Can I cancel a reset once it has started?

You can cancel a reset in the early stages before it begins wiping files. Once the progress bar starts and files begin erasing, canceling will leave your PC in an unusable state. Do not cancel unless you are certain you want to stop. If you cancel by mistake, restart your PC and try the reset again.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

Most resets finish in 30 minutes to two hours. Older PCs with slower hard drives take longer. If you choose "Remove everything" with find deletion, add another 30 to 60 minutes. Cloud reinstall takes longer than local reinstall, especially on slower internet connections.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

After the reset, you will need your Microsoft account password to sign in. If you forgot it, use another device to go to account.microsoft.com, click "Can't access your account?", and follow the recovery steps. You can reset your password using a backup email or phone number. Once you have reset your password, use it to sign in on your newly reset PC.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.