What factory reset means and when to use it

A factory reset 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 restart or a standard uninstall. Once you start, the process runs to completion and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep first.

You might reset your PC if it runs slowly after years of use, if malware has infected it and you want a clean slate, if you are selling or giving it away, or if Windows has become unstable and repair attempts have failed. A reset takes one to three hours depending on your drive speed and whether you keep your files or erase them completely.

Windows offers two reset paths: Keep my files removes programs and settings but preserves your documents, photos, and downloads; Remove everything erases the entire drive and is the choice for resale or donation. Both reinstall Windows from scratch.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before starting, because a factory reset cannot be reversed.
  • Open Settings, go to System > Recovery, and click Reset this PC to begin — you choose whether to keep files or erase everything.
  • The process takes one to three hours and your PC will restart multiple times; do not unplug it or close the lid during reset.
  • After reset, Windows will ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account and will reinstall drivers automatically, though some hardware may need manual driver installation.
  • If your PC will not start or you cannot log in, use a Windows installation media on a USB drive to reset from the login screen instead.

How to reset through Settings on a working PC

If Windows starts and you can log in, the fastest route is the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left sidebar, scroll down, and click Recovery

Under "Recovery options", you will see a button labeled Reset this PC. Click it. Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose based on what you need: keep files if you want to preserve documents and photos but remove programs; remove everything if you are selling the PC or want a complete wipe. Click Next.

Windows will show you a summary of what will happen and ask you to confirm. Click Reset. Your PC will restart and show a progress screen. Do not interrupt this process — leave your PC plugged in and do not close the lid or force a shutdown. The reset can take one to three hours depending on your drive.

When the reset finishes, your PC will restart and show the Windows setup screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account (or create a local account if you prefer). Windows will read and install drivers for your hardware automatically, though some devices like printers or graphics cards may need manual driver installation afterward.

Resetting a PC that will not start or log in

If Windows will not start or you cannot log in, you need a Windows installation media — a USB drive with Windows on it. You will need another working PC to create this. Plug a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger) into the working PC, then go to Microsoft's Windows read page and read the Media Creation Tool.

Run the Media Creation Tool, select Create installation media for another PC, choose your language and Windows version (match what your broken PC had), and select USB drive as the destination. The tool will format the drive and copy Windows to it — this takes 10 to 20 minutes. When it finishes, eject the USB drive safely.

Plug the USB drive into your broken PC and restart it. As it boots, press the key that opens the boot menu — this is usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your PC brand; the screen often shows which key to press during startup. Select the USB drive from the boot menu. Windows setup will load from the USB.

On the setup screen, click Repair your computer in the bottom left, then Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC. From here, the process is the same as the Settings method: choose whether to keep files or remove everything, confirm, and let the reset run to completion.

What happens after the reset is complete

When your PC restarts after reset, it will show the Windows setup screen asking you to choose your region, language, and keyboard layout. Answer these questions, then sign in with your Microsoft account. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one during setup or skip it and create a local account instead.

Windows will then read and install drivers for your motherboard, network card, and other built-in hardware. This can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on your internet speed. Your PC may restart several times during this phase — this is normal.

After drivers finish installing, your PC is ready to use. However, any programs you had before the reset are gone and must be reinstalled — Windows itself is fresh, but your old software is not there. If you chose Keep my files, your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders are still there, but the programs that created them are not.

Some hardware like printers, external graphics cards, or specialized devices may not have drivers installed automatically. If a device does not work, visit the manufacturer's website, read the latest driver for your PC's Windows version, and install it manually.

Backing up before you reset

Before you start a reset, move anything you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage. This includes documents, photos, videos, music, and any files in your Downloads or Desktop folders. If you choose Keep my files, Windows will preserve these folders, but it is safer to back them up anyway in case something goes wrong.

The easiest method is to plug in an external USB drive, open File Explorer, and drag your important folders to the external drive. Alternatively, you can upload files to OneDrive, Google Drive, or another cloud service — sign in to your cloud account on your PC, upload what you need, and you can read it again after the reset.

If you have programs with licenses (like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite), write down your product keys or sign-in information before you reset, because you will need them to reinstall. For Microsoft Office, sign in to your Microsoft account on the web and note which version you own.

Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck or fails

If the reset starts but gets stuck on a progress screen for more than four hours, or if you see an error message, your PC may have a hardware problem or corrupted system files. First, try a hard restart: hold the power button for 10 seconds until the PC shuts down completely, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and let the reset continue.

If the reset fails with an error code, write down the code and search for it on Microsoft's support site — different codes point to different problems. Common causes are a failing hard drive, not enough free space on the drive, or a corrupted Windows installation. If your drive is nearly full, you may need to delete large files before trying again.

If you cannot get past the error, try the USB installation media method instead. This bypasses your existing Windows installation and gives you a fresh start from outside the system. If even the USB method fails, your hard drive may be failing and may need replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware?

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on your drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch, so any malware is removed. However, if malware is on an external drive or USB device you plug back in, it can return. After reset, scan any external drives with antivirus software before using them again.

Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?

Not safely. Once the reset process begins, stopping it mid-way can leave your PC in an unusable state. If you change your mind, let the reset finish, then reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup. If your PC is stuck and unresponsive, a hard restart (holding the power button) is your only option, but this may corrupt the reset.

Do I need a product key to reinstall Windows after a reset?

No. If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, the license is tied to your hardware and Windows will reactivate automatically after reset when you sign in with your Microsoft account. If you installed Windows yourself, you will need your product key to reactivate it after reset.

What is the difference between reset and refresh?

Windows no longer uses the term "refresh," but the old Refresh feature kept your files and settings while removing programs. A modern factory reset with Keep my files is similar — it removes programs but keeps your documents. Remove everything is a complete wipe.

How long does a factory reset take?

One to three hours depending on your drive speed and size. Solid-state drives (SSDs) reset faster than older hard drives. The reset includes erasing the drive, reinstalling Windows, and downloading drivers. Do not interrupt it — leave your PC plugged in and powered on the entire time.