What Restoring Factory Settings Does
Restoring factory settings wipes your PC back to the state it left the manufacturer — all your files, programs, and settings are removed, and Windows reinstalls itself fresh. This is different from a regular restart. It erases everything you have added since you first turned the machine on, but it does not damage the hardware itself.
People restore factory settings when their PC has slowed to a crawl, when malware is suspected and antivirus tools have not cleared it, or when they are selling or giving away the machine. It is also called a "factory reset" or "clean install".
Before you start, understand that this process cannot be undone. Everything on your hard drive that is not backed up will be gone. If you have photos, documents, or anything else you want to keep, copy them to an external drive or cloud storage first.
Key Takeaways
- Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin, because factory reset erases everything on your PC.
- Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC, found in Settings under System.
- You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs, or erase everything — choose based on what you are trying to fix.
- The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC speed and which option you pick.
- If your PC will not start at all, you will need to create a bootable USB drive from another computer before you can reset it.
How to Reset Windows 10
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 blue get your free guide button. Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose "Keep my files" if you want to erase programs and settings but save your documents and photos. Choose "Remove everything" if you want a complete wipe — this is the true factory reset.
If you chose "Remove everything", Windows will ask whether you want to remove files securely. Click Remove files and clean the drive if you are selling the PC or giving it away; this makes recovery of deleted files much harder. Click Just remove my files if you are keeping the PC for yourself.
Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. Click Reset to begin. Your PC will restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or unplug it — let it finish, even if it seems stuck for a few minutes.
How to Reset Windows 11
The process is nearly identical in Windows 11. Press the Windows key, type "settings", and open the Settings app. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery.
Under "Reset this PC", click Reset PC. Choose Keep my files to remove programs while saving documents, or Remove everything for a complete factory reset. If you choose "Remove everything", you will see an option to Remove files and clean the drive — select this if the PC is leaving your hands, otherwise select Local reinstall.
Review the summary and click Next, then Reset. Your PC will restart multiple times. This is normal. The entire process usually takes 45 minutes to two hours.
What to Do If Your PC Will Not Start
If Windows will not boot at all, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, you will need to create a bootable USB drive from another computer and reset from there.
On a working computer, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 (for Windows 10) or microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (for Windows 11). Click read tool now and run the file. Plug in a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. The tool will format it and copy Windows onto it.
Plug the USB drive into your broken PC. Turn it on and when ready start pressing F12, F2, Esc, or Del repeatedly — the key depends on your PC brand and will usually appear on the startup screen. This opens the boot menu. Select the USB drive from the list. Windows setup will start, and you can choose to repair or reset from there.
The Difference Between "Keep Files" and "Remove Everything"
Keep my files removes all your programs and resets Windows settings to factory defaults, but leaves your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders intact. Use this if your PC is slow or buggy but you trust your files are not infected. It is faster — usually 30 to 45 minutes — because Windows does not have to erase the entire drive.
Remove everything erases your entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. Use this if you suspect malware, if you are selling the PC, or if you want a completely clean slate. It takes longer — 45 minutes to two hours — but it is the only way to be certain nothing unwanted remains on the drive.
If you are unsure which to pick, start with "Keep my files". If problems persist after the reset, you can always reset again and choose "Remove everything" the second time.
What Happens After the Reset Completes
When the reset finishes, your PC will boot into Windows setup. You will be asked to choose your language, accept the license agreement, and create or sign in with a Microsoft account. You can use an existing account or create a new one.
Windows will then install drivers for your hardware — your graphics card, network adapter, and other components. This can take 10 to 20 minutes. Your PC may restart a few more times. Do not interrupt this process.
Once setup is complete, you will have a clean Windows desktop. If you chose "Keep my files", your Documents and Pictures folders will be there. You will need to reinstall any programs you use — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Spotify, games, and so on. Windows comes with only the built-in apps like Notepad, Calculator, and Edge.
Backing Up Your Files Before You Reset
The safest way to back up is to use an external hard drive or USB drive. Plug it in, open File Explorer, and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to the external drive. This takes 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.
Alternatively, you can use cloud storage. OneDrive (built into Windows), Google Drive, or Dropbox all work. Sign in, upload your important folders, and they will be safe even if your PC is completely erased. This is slower for large amounts of data but requires no extra hardware.
Do not skip this step. Once you click Reset, there is no way to recover files you did not back up.
When to Call a Professional Instead
If your PC will not start and you are not comfortable creating a bootable USB drive, a local computer repair shop can do the reset for you. This usually costs between $50 and $150 and takes a few hours.
If you suspect your hard drive is failing — your PC makes clicking sounds, freezes constantly, or shows "disk error" messages — a reset will not help. The hardware itself is broken, and you need a technician to replace the drive.
If you are selling your PC and want to be absolutely certain no personal data remains, a professional can use specialized tools to verify the drive is completely wiped. This is worth the cost if the PC contained financial or medical information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will factory reset remove viruses?
Yes, a complete factory reset (Remove everything) will remove almost all viruses because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows fresh. However, if your PC will not start due to malware, you may need to create a bootable USB drive first. If you are unsure whether a reset will work, a professional can scan the drive before you erase it.
Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?
You can cancel it in the first few seconds before Windows begins erasing files. Once the reset process has started and files are being deleted, canceling will leave your PC in an unusable state. Do not turn off your PC during a reset unless it is truly frozen for more than 15 minutes.
Do I need the Windows product key to reset my PC?
No. If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, the key is stored in the BIOS and Windows will reactivate automatically after the reset. If you bought Windows separately, you may need to enter the key during setup, but you can also skip this step and set up later.
How long does a factory reset take?
A reset usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. "Keep my files" is faster because it does not erase the entire drive. "Remove everything" takes longer. Older PCs with slower hard drives take longer than newer ones with solid-state drives.
What if I forgot my Windows password before resetting?
If you cannot log in, you cannot access Settings to start the reset. You will need to create a bootable USB drive from another computer and reset from there using the Windows setup tool. This bypasses the login screen entirely.