What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your computer back to the state it left the manufacturer — all your files, programs, and settings disappear, and the operating system reinstalls itself clean. This is different from a restart or a regular update. You are erasing everything you have added since you bought the machine.

You might do this if your computer has slowed to a crawl despite closing programs, if malware has infected it badly enough that antivirus software cannot clean it, or if you are selling or giving away the machine and want to erase your data completely. It is also the last step when nothing else has fixed a problem — when the computer freezes constantly, crashes on startup, or behaves in ways you cannot trace to a single cause.

Before you start, understand that this process takes time — usually 30 minutes to two hours depending on your machine — and you will lose everything that is not backed up. If you have files, photos, or documents you want to keep, copy them to an external drive or cloud storage first. Once the reset begins, there is no undo button.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files, photos, and documents to an external drive or cloud storage before you start, because a factory reset erases everything on your computer.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • You will need your Microsoft account password for Windows or your Apple ID for Mac to complete the reset and sign back in afterward.
  • The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours and your computer will restart multiple times — do not unplug it or force it off during this time.
  • After the reset finishes, you will need to reinstall your programs and sign into your accounts again, so keep a list of what you use regularly.

How to reset a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, the reset tool is built into Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to System on the left side, then scroll down and click Recovery.

You will see a button that says "Reset this PC". Click it. 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 and photos, which is faster but does not clean out malware as thoroughly.

Windows will then ask whether you want to remove files locally or fully clean the drive. For a machine you are keeping, local removal is fine and faster. If you are selling or giving away the computer, choose "Full clean" — this makes it much harder for someone to recover your deleted files. You will need your Microsoft account password to proceed. Enter it and click Next.

The reset will begin. Your computer will restart several times and show a progress screen. This is normal. Do not turn off the computer, unplug it, or force it to shut down — let it finish completely. When it is done, you will see the Windows setup screen as if the computer were brand new.

How to reset a Mac computer

On a Mac running macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer, open System Settings — you can find it in the Apple menu at the top left. Click General on the left side, then scroll down and click "Transfer or Reset".

You will see an "Erase All Content and Settings" button. Click it. macOS will warn you that this cannot be undone and will ask for your Apple ID password — this is the password you use to sign into your Mac and the App Store. Enter it and click Continue.

Your Mac will restart and show an erase progress screen. Like Windows, this process takes time and involves multiple restarts. Do not force the Mac to shut down or unplug it. When the erase is complete, your Mac will show the setup screen you saw when it was new, and you can sign in with your Apple ID to restore your settings and apps.

If you have an older Mac running macOS 11 or earlier, the process is slightly different — you will use Recovery Mode instead. Restart your Mac and hold Command and R while it boots up. When Recovery Mode loads, click Utilities at the top, then Disk Utility. Select your main drive, click Erase, and follow the prompts. This is more technical, so if you are unsure, contact Apple Support or a local repair shop.

What to do before you reset

The most important step is backing up your files. If you use OneDrive on Windows or iCloud on Mac, your documents and photos may already be backed up in the cloud — sign into your account on another device to check. If you are not sure, copy your important folders to an external hard drive or USB drive. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

Make a list of the programs you use regularly — Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, Adobe Reader, whatever you open most days. After the reset, you will need to read and install these again. Write down where you got them: the Microsoft Store, the App Store, a company website, or a disc. If you have license keys or serial numbers for paid software, write those down too.

Sign out of your accounts on the computer before you reset it if you can — email, social media, banking apps, anything that stores a password. This is not required, but it makes the reset cleaner. If you cannot sign out, just make sure you know your passwords so you can sign back in after the reset.

What happens after the reset finishes

When your computer restarts for the last time, it will show the setup screen — the same one you saw when you first turned it on. On Windows, you will create a new user account or sign in with your Microsoft account. On Mac, you will sign in with your Apple ID. This is where you need your password, so have it ready.

After you sign in, your computer will be completely empty except for the operating system. You will need to read your programs again. Go to the Microsoft Store or App Store, or visit the websites where you got your software, and read what you need. This can take an hour or more depending on your internet speed and how many programs you use.

Once your programs are installed, sign back into your email, cloud storage, social media, and other accounts. If you backed up your files, copy them back from your external drive or cloud storage. Your computer should now run faster and cleaner than it did before the reset.

When a reset does not solve the problem

If your computer still runs slowly or crashes after a factory reset, the problem is likely hardware, not software. A failing hard drive, overheating, or failing RAM can cause the same symptoms as a cluttered system. If this happens, take your computer to a repair shop and describe what you have already done — the technician can run hardware tests to find the real cause.

If your computer will not start at all, or if it crashes during the reset process, you may need to use a recovery disc or USB drive. Windows and Mac both have tools to create these, but the process is more technical. Contact the manufacturer's support line or a local repair shop for help — trying to force a reset on a broken computer can make things worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it erases everything and reinstalls the operating system clean. However, some advanced malware can hide in your BIOS or firmware, which a standard reset does not touch. If your computer was badly infected, run antivirus software after the reset to make sure nothing remains.

Can I cancel a factory reset once it starts?

On Windows, you can cancel the reset before it finishes erasing — you will see a cancel button on the progress screen. On Mac, once the erase begins, you cannot stop it. If you change your mind, wait for it to finish and then restore your files from your backup.

Do I need to reinstall Windows or macOS after a reset?

No. A factory reset reinstalls the operating system automatically as part of the process. You do not need a disc or USB drive unless the reset fails or your computer will not start.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account or Apple ID password?

You will need this password to complete the reset and sign back in. If you forgot it, use the password recovery tool on Microsoft.com or Apple.com before you start the reset. You can also contact their support lines for help recovering your account.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

The reset itself takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and how much data is on the drive. After that, reinstalling your programs and files can take another hour or more. Plan for a whole afternoon or evening if you want to be back to normal the same day.