What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset removes all your files, programs, and settings and returns your PC to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. Everything you installed, saved, or changed gets deleted. Windows itself stays on your drive, but it goes back to its original configuration—no browser history, no email accounts, no custom shortcuts.

You might reset your PC if it runs slowly despite cleanup efforts, if malware survived removal attempts, if you are selling or giving away the machine, or if Windows has become so corrupted that normal troubleshooting no longer works. A reset is also the nuclear option when you have forgotten your Windows password and cannot log in any other way.

Before you start, understand that a factory reset is permanent and thorough. Files deleted during a reset are extremely difficult to recover. Back up anything you want to keep—documents, photos, downloads, email archives—to an external drive or cloud storage first.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset deletes all your files and programs and returns Windows to its original state, so back up anything you want to keep before you begin.
  • Windows 10 and 11 both have a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC, found in Settings under System > Recovery.
  • You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs and settings, or delete everything—choose based on what you are trying to fix.
  • The reset process takes 20 minutes to over an hour depending on your drive speed and which option you select.
  • If you cannot log in to Windows at all, you can reset from the login screen or use a recovery drive created on another PC.

How to reset Windows 10

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

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. If you choose Keep my files, Windows removes all programs and settings but preserves your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders. If you choose Remove everything, all files and programs are deleted. For most people trying to fix a slow or infected PC, Keep my files is the safer choice because you preserve your data. Choose Remove everything only if you are selling the PC or if malware is deeply embedded.

After you choose, Windows will show you a list of programs that will be removed. Review it to make sure nothing surprises you, then click Reset. The process will restart your PC and take 20 to 60 minutes. Do not turn off your PC during this time.

How to reset Windows 11

The process in Windows 11 is nearly identical. Open Settings, go to System, and select Recovery. Under Reset this PC, click the Reset PC button (the wording changed slightly from Windows 10, but the function is the same).

You will see the same two options: Keep my files or Remove everything. Windows 11 also shows you which programs will be removed before you commit. Select your choice, click Next, and then click Reset. Your PC will restart and the reset will run in the background. You can use your PC during the reset, though it will be slower than usual.

Windows 11 resets typically complete faster than Windows 10—usually 30 to 45 minutes on a modern drive—but the time varies based on your storage speed and how much data is on your drive.

Resetting when you cannot log in

If you have forgotten your Windows password or cannot access your account, you can still reset from the login screen. On the login screen, click the power icon in the bottom right corner, hold Shift, and click Restart. Your PC will boot into Windows Recovery Environment.

From the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. Follow the same steps as above—choose whether to keep files or remove everything, then let the reset run. This method works on both Windows 10 and 11.

If even this does not work—for example, if your PC will not boot at all—you will need to create a recovery drive on another PC. read the Windows 10 or Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, plug a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger) into another computer, run the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable recovery drive. Then plug that drive into your PC, restart, and boot from the USB drive. You will be able to reset from there.

What happens after the reset completes

When the reset finishes, your PC will restart and you will see the Windows setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will need to create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account. Go through the setup process—choose your language, time zone, and privacy settings. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.

After setup, you will have a clean Windows installation with no third-party programs. Your PC will be noticeably faster because there are no background programs running. You will need to reinstall any programs you use regularly—web browsers, Microsoft Office, antivirus software, and so on. If you chose Keep my files, your personal documents will be in their original folders, but programs that depend on registry entries or system files may not work correctly until you reinstall them.

Recovering files after an accidental reset

If you reset your PC and then realized you needed files that were deleted, recovery is possible but not may provide. The longer you wait and the more you use your PC after the reset, the harder recovery becomes. Do not install new programs or save new files.

Use a data recovery tool like Recuva (free, from Piriform) or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Plug an external drive into your PC, read and run the recovery tool, and scan your main drive. The tool will find deleted files that have not yet been overwritten. Recovery success depends on how much new data has been written to your drive since the reset. If you reset only hours ago and have not used the PC much, recovery rates are high. If weeks have passed, recovery is unlikely.

Alternatives to a full factory reset

Before you reset, consider whether a smaller fix might solve your problem. If your PC is slow, try running Disk Cleanup (search for it in Windows) to remove temporary files, or use the built-in Storage Sense tool in Settings > System > Storage to automatically delete old files. If a specific program is causing problems, uninstall it from Settings > Apps > Apps and features instead of resetting everything.

If you suspect malware, run Windows Defender (built into Windows) in offline mode before resorting to a reset. Go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Security > Virus and threat protection, click Manage settings, and select Run a quick scan. If that does not work, try Malwarebytes (free version available) or contact a professional.

A reset is the right choice when these smaller steps have not worked, when you are selling the PC, or when Windows itself is corrupted. But if your problem is a single slow program or a small amount of clutter, a reset is overkill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses?

A reset removes most malware because it deletes all files and returns Windows to its original state. However, some advanced malware can hide in your PC's firmware or BIOS, which a standard reset does not touch. If you suspect sophisticated malware, consider having a professional examine your PC before selling it or giving it away.

Can I stop a reset once it has started?

You can restart your PC during the reset, but this will interrupt the process and may leave your system in an unstable state. Let the reset run to completion. If something goes wrong, you can always start the reset again from the recovery menu.

How long does a factory reset take?

A reset typically takes 20 to 60 minutes depending on your drive speed, how much data is on your PC, and whether you chose to keep files or remove everything. Solid-state drives (SSDs) reset much faster than older hard drives. Do not turn off your PC or unplug it during the reset.

What if I need my programs back after a reset?

You will need to reinstall any programs you want to use. If you have the original installation files or product keys, reinstall from those. For programs you purchased through the Microsoft Store, you can reinstall them from your account. For others, read the installer from the publisher's website.

Can I reset just one user account instead of the whole PC?

No. A factory reset affects the entire PC and all user accounts on it. If you only want to remove one account, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, select the account, and click Remove. This deletes the account and its files but leaves other accounts and programs intact.