What Factory Reset Does and When to Use It
A factory reset erases everything on your PC—all files, programs, and settings—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. This is different from a regular restart. After a factory reset, your PC will boot up as if it were brand new, and you will need to set up Windows again from scratch, including creating or signing into a user account.
Factory reset is useful when your PC has become slow or unstable due to accumulated software, when you are selling or giving away the computer, or when malware has infected the system so thoroughly that other fixes have failed. It is not the first thing to try for a single slow program or a temporary freeze—those usually respond to restarting or uninstalling the offending software.
Before you start, understand that this process cannot be undone. Back up any files you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer. Once the reset begins, those files are gone.
Key Takeaways
- Factory reset wipes your entire PC and reinstalls Windows, so back up all files you want to keep before starting.
- Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in reset tool in Settings that does not require installation media or a product key.
- The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your PC speed and whether you choose to keep or remove files.
- After reset, your PC will boot to the Windows setup screen, and you will need to create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account.
- If your PC will not boot into Windows at all, you will need a Windows installation USB drive and a different computer to create it.
Reset from Settings on a Working PC
If your PC still starts and runs Windows, the easiest path is the built-in reset tool. 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 Reset PC button. 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 personal documents, photos, and downloads—this is faster but less thorough.
Next, Windows asks whether to reinstall from the cloud or from local files. Cloud read is slower but ensures you get the latest version of Windows. Local reinstall is faster because it uses files already on your PC. Either option works; choose based on your internet speed and how much time you have.
Click Next, review the summary, and click Reset. Your PC will restart and begin the reset process. Do not turn off the PC or unplug it during this time. The process usually takes 45 minutes to two hours depending on your PC's speed.
What Happens During and After the Reset
Once the reset starts, your screen will show a progress bar and status messages. Your PC may restart several times—this is normal. The screen may go black for several minutes between restarts. Leave the PC alone and let it finish.
When the reset is complete, your PC will boot to the Windows setup screen. You will see the language and region selection, then be asked to create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account. If you want to use a local account instead of a Microsoft account, click Offline account at the bottom of the sign-in screen, then Limited experience.
After you finish setup, your PC will be at the desktop with no programs except the ones Windows includes by default. You will need to reinstall any programs you use—web browsers, Office, antivirus software, and so on. Your PC will have a fresh copy of Windows with no accumulated clutter.
Reset When Windows Will Not Start
If your PC will not boot into Windows at all, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, you need a Windows installation USB drive. To create one, you will need a different computer with internet access and a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space.
On the working computer, go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows (for Windows 11) or microsoft.com/software-read/windows10 (for Windows 10). Click read tool now, run the downloaded file, and follow the prompts to create installation media on your USB drive. This takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Plug the USB drive into the broken PC and restart it. As it boots, press F12, F2, Esc, or Del repeatedly—the key varies by PC manufacturer—to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive from the list. The Windows setup screen will appear.
Click Next to proceed through language and region, then click Repair your computer at the bottom left. Select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, then Remove everything. Follow the same steps as the Settings method. The reset will proceed even though Windows was not running before.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not unplug or force-shut down your PC during the reset. If the progress bar has not moved in over an hour, it may be frozen, but give it at least two hours before assuming something went wrong. Unplugging mid-reset can corrupt Windows and leave your PC unable to boot.
Do not assume your files are safe just because you did not choose "Remove everything." Even the "Keep my files" option removes all installed programs and settings. If you have files in Program Files or AppData folders, they will be deleted. Back up anything important to an external drive or cloud storage before starting.
Do not skip the backup step. Once the reset begins, recovery of deleted files is extremely difficult and often impossible. Spend the extra 15 minutes copying your files to an external drive or cloud service first.
After Reset: Getting Your PC Back to Normal
After the reset completes and you finish Windows setup, your PC is blank. You will need to reinstall your programs. Start with essentials: a web browser if you do not want to use Microsoft Edge, antivirus software if you do not want to rely on Windows Defender, and any programs you use daily.
read installers from the official websites of each program, not from third-party read sites. This reduces the risk of installing unwanted software alongside what you actually want. For programs you purchased, have your license keys or account information ready.
Restore your files from your backup. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in and copy your files back to your Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders. If you backed up to cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive, sign in and read your files. This process is slow if you have many large files, so plan for it to take several hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will factory reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes, a factory reset removes virtually all malware because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. However, if the 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 copying files back to your PC.
Do I need a Windows product key to factory reset?
No. If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, the license is tied to your hardware, and Windows will reactivate automatically after reset. If you installed Windows yourself, you may need your product key during setup, but the reset tool in Settings does not ask for it.
Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?
Not safely. Once the reset process begins, stopping it mid-way can leave Windows corrupted and your PC unable to boot. Let it finish, even if it takes longer than expected. If something goes wrong, you can try the reset again from the beginning.
How long does factory reset actually take?
The process usually takes 45 minutes to two hours. Older PCs or those with slow hard drives may take longer. SSDs are faster than traditional hard drives. Cloud read takes longer than local reinstall. Plan for at least two hours and avoid using the PC during this time.
What if I forgot my password and cannot get into Settings?
You can still reset using the Windows login screen. On the login screen, click I forgot my password, follow the prompts to reset your password, then log in and use the Settings method. If that does not work, use the installation USB method described above, which does not require you to log in first.