What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset wipes your hard drive and reinstalls the original operating system that came with your computer. It removes all your files, programs, and settings, leaving the machine in the same state it was when you first turned it on. This is different from restarting or updating — it is a complete erasure and reinstall.

You should consider a factory reset when your computer has become slow despite removing programs, when malware or viruses are suspected and antivirus tools have not worked, when you are selling or giving away the machine, or when Windows or macOS has developed persistent errors that prevent normal use. A reset can also help if you inherited a computer loaded with someone else's files and settings.

A factory reset is not a quick fix for everyday slowness. If your computer is running slowly, check your startup programs and disk space first — those are faster solutions. A reset should be your last step after other troubleshooting has failed.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases everything on your computer and reinstalls the original operating system, so back up any files you want to keep before starting.
  • Windows computers use Settings > System > Recovery, while Mac computers use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • The process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your internet speed and computer age, and your computer will restart multiple times.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to reinstall programs like Microsoft Office, Chrome, or Zoom that did not come with your computer originally.
  • If you cannot access your operating system at all, you may need to create a recovery drive on another computer first.

Back up your files before you start

A factory reset deletes everything on your computer's main drive. Before you begin, move any files you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer. This includes documents, photos, videos, music, and any work files.

The easiest method is to plug in an external hard drive and drag your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to it. If you do not have an external drive, you can upload files to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud — these services let you read them again after the reset. Check your email for any attachments you need to save separately.

Make a list of programs you use regularly — Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Zoom, Slack, antivirus software, and any others. You will need to reinstall these after the reset, so knowing what you had makes the process faster. Write down any license keys or subscription information if you have it.

How to reset a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or Windows 11, go to Settings (the gear icon in your Start menu), then select System on the left side. Scroll down and click Recovery. You will see an option that says "Reset this PC" — click that button.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a true factory reset. The system will then ask whether you want to reinstall Windows from the cloud or from local files. Cloud reinstall is usually faster if your internet connection is stable; local reinstall uses files already on your computer and works if your internet is slow.

Windows will show you a list of programs that came with your computer originally — these will be reinstalled automatically. Any programs you added yourself will not be reinstalled, which is why your backup list matters. Click Next, review the settings, and click Reset. Your computer will restart several times over the next 30 minutes to two hours. Do not turn it off during this process.

How to reset a Mac computer

On a Mac running macOS 12 or newer, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General on the left side, then scroll down and click Transfer or Reset. You will see an option for "Erase All Content and Settings" — this is the Mac equivalent of a factory reset.

macOS will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and confirm that you want to erase the computer. It will also ask whether you want to keep your iCloud data (photos, contacts, calendar) or erase that too. If you are keeping the computer, choose to keep iCloud data. If you are selling or giving it away, erase everything. The process takes 20 to 45 minutes and your Mac will restart automatically.

On older Macs running macOS 11 or earlier, the process is different. Go to System Preferences > Erase and Reinstall, or use the Recovery mode by restarting and holding Command + R. If you are unsure which version you have, click the Apple menu and select About This Mac — the version number is listed there.

What to do if your computer will not start

If your computer will not boot into Windows or macOS at all, you cannot use the normal reset process. Instead, you will need to create a recovery drive on another computer and use that to reset your machine.

For Windows, read the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website on another computer. Plug in a blank USB drive (8 GB or larger), run the tool, and follow the prompts to create a bootable recovery drive. Then plug that drive into your broken computer, restart it, and press F12 or Delete during startup to enter the boot menu. Select the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows.

For Mac, restart your computer and hold Command + R when ready. This boots into Recovery mode, which lets you erase and reinstall macOS without a separate drive. If that does not work, you can create a bootable USB drive on another Mac using the macOS installer from the App Store, though this is more technical and rarely necessary.

Reinstalling your programs after the reset

After your computer finishes resetting, it will look and feel like a brand-new machine. You will need to sign in with your user account, connect to the internet, and then reinstall the programs you use.

Start with your most important programs. If you use Microsoft Office, go to Office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and install it from there. For Chrome, Firefox, or other browsers, read them from their official websites. For programs you bought or subscribed to, check your email for read links or license keys — most software companies send these when you purchase.

Install your antivirus software next — Windows Defender comes built in and is adequate for most users, but if you use Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, or another paid antivirus, read it from the vendor's website. Then install other programs you use regularly: Zoom, Slack, Adobe Creative Suite, Dropbox, or whatever else you need. This usually takes an hour or two depending on how many programs you had.

Troubleshooting common reset problems

If the reset process gets stuck or fails partway through, restart your computer and try again. Most resets that fail are caused by a full hard drive or a poor internet connection. If you have less than 10 GB of free space, delete large files or programs before attempting the reset again.

If you see an error message about a missing recovery partition, your computer's recovery files may be corrupted. In this case, you will need to create a recovery drive on another computer as described in the "What to do if your computer will not start" section above.

If the reset completes but your computer is still slow or unstable, the problem may not have been software-related. Slow performance after a fresh reset often points to a failing hard drive, overheating, or hardware damage. In that case, take your computer to a repair shop for diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a factory reset removes viruses and malware because it erases everything on your hard drive and reinstalls a clean copy of the operating system. However, if malware is on an external drive or cloud storage you use, it can reinfect your computer after the reset. Scan any external drives with antivirus software before plugging them back in.

Can I undo a factory reset after it is done?

No, a factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. This is why backing up your files beforehand is critical. If you realize after the reset that you needed a file, you may be able to recover it using data recovery software, but recovery is not may provide and becomes harder the more you use the computer after the reset.

How long does a factory reset actually take?

A factory reset typically takes 30 minutes to two hours. The time depends on your internet speed (if downloading Windows or macOS from the cloud), your hard drive speed, and how old your computer is. Older computers with slower hard drives take longer. Your computer will restart multiple times during the process, which is normal.

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

No, the factory reset process automatically reinstalls your operating system. You do not need to buy a new copy of Windows or macOS — the reset uses the license that came with your computer originally. You will only need to reinstall the programs you added yourself, like Microsoft Office, Chrome, or Zoom.

What if I forgot my password before the reset?

If you cannot sign in to your computer, you cannot start a factory reset through the normal settings. You will need to create a recovery drive on another computer and use that to reset your machine. During the reset process, you will be asked to create a new account and password, so you can regain access to your computer.