How to Factory Reset an ASUS Laptop When You Don't Know the Password

Factory Reset Without a Password: Your Main Options

You can factory reset an ASUS laptop without knowing the password using Windows built-in recovery tools, a bootable USB drive, or ASUS's own recovery partition — the method depends on which version of Windows you have and whether you can still access the login screen. The fastest route is usually the Windows reset feature if you can reach the login screen, because it requires no extra hardware and completes in under an hour. If you cannot reach the login screen at all, you will need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer, which takes longer but works on any ASUS laptop running Windows 10 or later.

Before you start, understand what a factory reset does: it erases everything on the laptop — all files, programs, and settings — and returns it to the state it left the factory. Once you start, you cannot undo it. If there are files on the laptop you need, try to recover them first using a different method, or connect the drive to another computer as external storage.

Key Takeaways

If you can reach the Windows login screen, use the "Reset this PC" feature from Settings without entering a password by holding Shift while clicking the power button.
If you cannot reach the login screen, you need a bootable USB drive created on another computer using Windows Media Creation Tool or ASUS Recovery Center.
ASUS laptops with an ASUS recovery partition can boot directly into recovery mode by pressing F9 during startup, which may not require a password.
A factory reset erases all files and programs on the laptop and cannot be undone, so back up any data you need before starting.
After the reset completes, the laptop will restart and ask you to set up Windows as if it were new, including creating a new password.

Reset From the Login Screen Using Windows Settings

If you can see the Windows login screen but do not know the password, you can reset the laptop without entering it. Hold down the Shift key, then click the power icon in the bottom right corner of the login screen. A menu will appear with options including "Restart." Click "Restart" while still holding Shift. The laptop will boot into Windows Recovery Environment.

Once in Recovery Environment, select "Troubleshoot," then "Reset this PC." Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" for a full factory reset. The system will then ask which version of Windows to reinstall — select the version currently on your laptop (usually Windows 10 or Windows 11). Windows will begin the reset process, which takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on your laptop's speed and storage size.

During the reset, your laptop may restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it. When the reset finishes, the laptop will restart and display the Windows setup screen, asking you to choose a language, region, and create a new user account with a new password. At this point, you have full control of the laptop again.

Create a Bootable USB Drive if You Cannot Reach the Login Screen

If the laptop will not boot to the login screen — for example, if it is stuck on a black screen or boot loop — you need to create a bootable USB drive on another computer. You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space and access to another Windows computer or Mac. Plug the USB drive into the working computer and read the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website (search "Windows Media Creation Tool" in your browser).

Run the Media Creation Tool and select "Create installation media for another PC." Choose the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit — if you are unsure, choose 64-bit, as most modern ASUS laptops use it). Select your USB drive as the destination. The tool will read Windows and write it to the USB drive, which takes 10 to 20 minutes. When it finishes, eject the USB drive safely and take it to the ASUS laptop.

Plug the USB drive into the ASUS laptop and restart it. As it boots, press F2 repeatedly (some ASUS models use Del or Esc — check your laptop's manual or the boot screen message). This opens the BIOS setup menu. Look for a "Boot" tab and change the boot order to prioritize USB drives. Save and exit. The laptop will restart and boot from the USB drive, displaying the Windows setup screen. Follow the on-screen prompts to reach the "Repair your computer" option, then select "Troubleshoot" and "Reset this PC" as described in the previous section.

Use ASUS Recovery Partition if Available

Many ASUS laptops include a hidden recovery partition that holds a factory image of Windows. If your laptop has one, you can access it without a password by pressing F9 during startup. Restart the laptop and press F9 repeatedly as it boots — you should see a message on the screen telling you to press F9 for recovery. If the message appears, the recovery partition exists on your laptop.

Pressing F9 will launch ASUS Recovery Center, which displays options to restore the laptop to factory settings. Select the option to perform a full system restore or factory reset (the exact wording varies by ASUS model). The recovery process will erase all files and reinstall Windows from the partition, taking 30 to 60 minutes. When it finishes, the laptop will restart and display the Windows setup screen, where you can create a new user account and password.

If F9 does not work, your laptop may not have a recovery partition, or it may have been deleted. In that case, use the bootable USB method described above. Some older ASUS models use different keys — check your laptop's manual or the startup screen for the correct recovery key.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

Once the factory reset finishes and the laptop restarts, you will see the Windows setup screen. This is the same screen you would see on a brand-new laptop. Windows will ask you to select a language, region, and keyboard layout, then connect to a Wi-Fi network. After that, you will create a new user account by entering an email address (Microsoft account) or a local username, and you will set a new password.

If you use a Microsoft account, you can sign in with your email and password on any Windows device. If you create a local account, the password only works on this laptop. After setup completes, the laptop is ready to use, and all previous user accounts and passwords are gone. You can now install programs, restore files from a backup, or set up the laptop as new.

Troubleshooting Common Problems During Reset

If the reset process stops or displays an error, the most common cause is a failing hard drive or corrupted Windows files. If you see an error message, write down the exact text and restart the reset process. If the same error appears, try the bootable USB method instead, as it may work around corrupted files on the laptop's drive.

If the laptop restarts repeatedly during reset or gets stuck on a loading screen, do not force it off when ready. Wait at least 10 minutes to allow the process to continue. If it is still stuck after 15 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown, then try again. If the reset fails multiple times, the hard drive may be failing, and you may need to replace it or take the laptop to an ASUS service center.

If you created a bootable USB drive but the laptop will not boot from it, restart the laptop and enter the BIOS setup menu again (F2, Del, or Esc during startup). Make sure the USB drive is listed first in the boot order, and that USB boot is enabled. Save and exit, then restart. If the laptop still does not boot from USB, try a different USB port on the laptop, as some ports may not support booting.

Recovering Files After a Factory Reset

If you realize after the reset that you needed files from the laptop, recovery may still be possible if you act quickly. Do not install programs or create large files on the laptop, as this can overwrite the deleted data. Instead, use data recovery software on another computer. Connect the ASUS laptop's hard drive to another computer as external storage (you may need a USB adapter or external enclosure), then use free recovery software like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to scan the drive and restore files.

Recovery works best when ready after the reset, before the drive has been used much. The longer you use the laptop after the reset, the lower the chance of recovering files. If the drive is physically damaged or makes clicking sounds, do not attempt recovery yourself — take it to a professional data recovery service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my ASUS laptop?

Yes. A factory reset erases the entire drive and reinstalls Windows, which removes virtually all viruses and malware. However, if malware is in the BIOS or firmware (rare but possible), it may survive the reset. For most cases, a factory reset is an effective way to clean an infected laptop.

Can I factory reset an ASUS laptop without a USB drive or recovery partition?

Only if you can reach the Windows login screen. If the laptop will not boot or is completely unresponsive, you need either a bootable USB drive or access to the ASUS recovery partition. There is no way around this without external hardware or tools.

How long does a factory reset take on an ASUS laptop?

A full factory reset typically takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the laptop's storage size, speed, and how many times it restarts. Older laptops or those with large hard drives may take longer. Do not interrupt the process or turn off the laptop during the reset.

What if I forgot my password and want to keep my files instead of resetting?

If you want to keep your files, you have other options before resorting to a factory reset. You can use a password reset disk if you created one, use another administrator account on the laptop, or use Microsoft's online account recovery if you remember your Microsoft account email. Only choose factory reset if you cannot recover the password and are willing to lose all files.

Do I need to reinstall Windows after a factory reset on an ASUS laptop?

No. A factory reset reinstalls Windows automatically as part of the process. When the reset completes and the laptop restarts, Windows is already installed and ready to set up. You do not need to install it separately.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.