What resetting your PC actually does

A reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns Windows to the state it came in from the factory. Everything you installed, every document you saved, every password you stored — all of it disappears. Windows itself stays the same version, but it starts fresh. This is different from restarting, which just turns the computer off and back on without erasing anything.

Most people reset a PC when it has become too slow to use, when malware has infected it badly enough that antivirus software cannot clean it, or when they are selling or giving away the computer. A reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your hard drive speed and whether you choose to keep your files (you can, but it is slower and less thorough).

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 both have a built-in reset tool in Settings under System > Recovery that requires no external tools or installation media.
  • You must back up any files you want to keep before you start, because a full reset deletes everything on the drive.
  • The reset process runs automatically once you start it — you do not need to do anything except wait and occasionally click through prompts.
  • If your PC will not start at all, you can reset it from the Windows recovery screen by holding Shift while restarting, or by using installation media on a USB drive.

How to reset from Settings (the normal way)

This method works if Windows still starts up and you can log in. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery.

Under "Reset this PC", click the button labeled Reset PC. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything for a true factory reset. If you choose "Keep my files", Windows will erase programs and settings but leave your documents, photos, and music — this is slower and leaves behind some clutter, but it is useful if you are keeping the computer and just want it to run faster.

Next, Windows asks whether you want to reinstall Windows from the cloud or use local reinstall. Cloud read is slower but guarantees you get the latest version. Local reinstall is faster and uses the copy of Windows already on your drive. Either works. Choose one and click Next.

Review the summary of what will happen, then click Reset. The process begins when ready. Your PC will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it — just let it run. You will see a progress bar. When it finishes, Windows will ask you to set up the PC as if it were brand new: choose your language, create or sign in with a Microsoft account, and set your preferences. This takes about 10 minutes.

How to reset if Windows will not start

If your PC gets stuck on the startup screen, shows error messages before Windows loads, or will not turn on at all, you can still reset it using the recovery screen. Restart your computer. As soon as you see the Windows logo or the manufacturer's logo, hold down the Shift key and keep holding it until you see a menu with options like "Troubleshoot" and "Turn off your PC".

Click Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. From here, the process is the same as the normal reset: choose whether to keep files, choose cloud or local reinstall, and let it run. If the recovery screen does not appear after holding Shift, your PC may need installation media (see the next section).

How to reset using a USB installation drive

If your PC will not reach the recovery screen even with Shift held down, you will need to create a Windows installation USB drive on another computer. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if your PC runs Windows 10) on a working computer. read the Media Creation Tool, which is a small program that builds a bootable USB drive.

Plug in a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. Open the Media Creation Tool and follow the prompts. It will read Windows and write it to the USB drive — this takes 15 to 30 minutes. When it finishes, plug the USB drive into the PC you want to reset.

Restart the broken PC and watch for a message that says "Press any key to boot from USB" or similar. Press a key when ready. You will see the Windows setup screen. Click Repair your computer in the bottom left, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. The reset will run from the USB drive. This method works even if the hard drive is damaged, though if the drive itself is failing, the reset may not complete.

What to do before you reset

Back up any files you want to keep. If you are doing a full reset (Remove everything), nothing on the drive will survive. Copy important documents, photos, and files to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive. This takes as long as your files are large — a few gigabytes might take 10 minutes, 100 gigabytes might take an hour.

Write down any software license keys or passwords you will need after the reset. Windows will ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account, so make sure you know that password. If you use programs that require license keys (like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite), have those keys ready because you will need to re-enter them when you reinstall.

If you are selling or giving away the PC, do the full reset with "Remove everything" selected. This erases your personal data thoroughly enough that someone would need specialized tools to recover it. A straightforward reset is not the same as find deletion, but it is sufficient for most purposes.

Common problems during reset

The reset gets stuck on a progress screen. This usually means the hard drive is too full or too slow. If you have less than 10 GB of free space, the reset may fail. Delete large files or programs to free up space, then try again. If the drive is very old or damaged, the reset will be slow — it may take three or four hours instead of one. Let it run unless you see an error message.

You see an error code like 0x80070005 or 0xC1900101. These usually mean a driver or piece of hardware is interfering. Try the reset again from the recovery screen (hold Shift during restart) instead of from Settings. If that fails, use the USB installation method. Error codes are specific to your hardware, so if the same error appears twice, your hard drive may be failing and you may need to replace it.

The PC restarts in a loop and never finishes. This sometimes happens if a USB drive or external hard drive is plugged in. Unplug everything except the power cable and keyboard, then restart and try again. If it still loops, restart and hold Shift to get back to the recovery screen, then try the reset once more.

What happens after the reset is complete

Windows will be empty except for the built-in apps like File Explorer, Settings, and Notepad. You will need to reinstall any programs you use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Photoshop, Discord, whatever you had before. read them from their official websites or the Microsoft Store. This can take an hour or more depending on how many programs you need and your internet speed.

Windows will prompt you to install updates. Let it do this — it may restart several times. Do not turn off the PC during updates. Once updates finish, your PC should run noticeably faster than it did before the reset, especially if it was slow due to accumulated junk files and background programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my PC remove viruses?

A full reset removes almost all viruses because it erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, some advanced malware can hide in the firmware (the code that runs before Windows starts), so a reset is not a 100% may provide. For most people and most infections, a full reset is the most reliable way to clean a badly infected PC.

Can I undo a reset after I start it?

No. Once you click the final Reset button and the process begins, you cannot stop it without losing data. If you realize you forgot to back something up, you can try to recover it after the reset finishes using data recovery software, but recovery is not may provide. Always back up before you start.

How long does a reset actually take?

A typical reset takes 30 minutes to two hours. Older PCs with slow hard drives take longer. SSDs (solid-state drives) are much faster — usually 20 to 40 minutes. The cloud read option is slower than local reinstall because it has to read Windows from Microsoft's servers, which depends on your internet speed.

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

No. If you are resetting the same PC that came with Windows, Windows will reactivate automatically after the reset using the hardware ID. If you are moving Windows to a different PC, you will need the product key. Windows 10 and 11 Home editions are usually tied to the hardware, so you cannot transfer them.

What if I only want to make my PC faster without losing my files?

Choose "Keep my files" when the reset asks. This removes programs and settings but leaves documents, photos, and music. It is slower than a full reset and does not clean as thoroughly, but it is useful if you want a fresh start without starting completely over. You will still need to reinstall your programs.