What you can do depends on what kind of computer you have and whether you set up a recovery option
A full reset wipes your computer and reinstalls the operating system, which means you lose all your files, programs, and settings. It does get you past a forgotten password — but only if you have physical access to the machine and can prove you own it. The actual steps change depending on whether you have a Windows PC, a Mac, or a Chromebook, and whether you prepared a recovery method beforehand.
Before you reset, know that this is destructive. If there are files on the computer you need, a reset will erase them unless you have a backup elsewhere. If you share the computer with someone else, resetting it will also erase their files. Some people in your situation can recover their password instead of resetting — that route is faster and safer if it works for you.
Key Takeaways
- A full reset erases everything on your computer, so back up any files you need before you start.
- Windows and Mac both offer built-in reset tools you can reach without logging in, but the exact steps differ between versions.
- If you have a Microsoft or Apple account linked to your computer, you may be able to reset your password online instead of wiping the machine.
- Chromebooks are simpler to reset but will erase all local files and require you to sign back in with your Google account.
- If you cannot remember your account password and have no recovery email or phone number on file, a full reset is usually your only option.
Windows: using the built-in reset tool
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can reach the reset function from the login screen without entering a password. At the login screen, look for a link that says "Reset password" or "I forgot my password" — the exact wording varies by Windows version. Click it, and Windows will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up when you created the account.
If you have that recovery email or phone number and can still access it, Windows will send you a code to reset your password without erasing anything. This is the fastest and safest route. If you do not have access to the recovery email or phone, or if you never set one up, you will need to do a full reset instead.
To perform a full reset on Windows, restart your computer and press the key that opens the boot menu — usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your computer's manufacturer. Insert a Windows installation USB drive (you can create one on another computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website). Boot from the USB drive, select "Repair your computer," then choose "Reset this PC." Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything; choose "Remove everything" to proceed without a password.
Mac: using Recovery Mode
On a Mac, restart the computer and when ready hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo. This boots into Recovery Mode, where you can reset your password or erase the drive. If you see a login screen in Recovery Mode, you may need to use an administrator account — if you have another admin account on the Mac, you can log in with that instead.
Once in Recovery Mode, open Utilities from the menu bar and select "Reset Password." Choose your account from the list and create a new password. You do not need to know the old password to do this. If you cannot remember any admin password on the machine, or if there is only one account and you cannot access Recovery Mode, you will need to erase the drive and reinstall macOS.
To erase and reinstall, stay in Recovery Mode and select "Erase Mac" from Utilities. This wipes the entire drive. After the erase completes, macOS will guide you through a fresh installation. You will need your Apple ID and password to set up the computer again, so make sure you have those before you start.
Chromebook: factory reset
Chromebooks are designed to be reset easily because they store most data in the cloud through your Google account. To reset a Chromebook, sign out of your Google account at the login screen. Then press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R, and Chromebook will ask you to confirm that you want to powerwash the device. Click "Powerwash" and the Chromebook will erase all local files and settings.
After the reset completes, the Chromebook will return to the login screen. Sign in with your Google account — the same one you used before, or a different one if you prefer. All your files stored in Google Drive, Gmail, and other Google services will still be there. Any files stored only on the Chromebook itself will be gone.
What to do if you cannot access recovery options
If you cannot reach the password reset screen on Windows, cannot boot into Recovery Mode on a Mac, or cannot access the Chromebook login screen, the computer may have additional security settings that prevent a reset. Some workplaces and schools lock down computers so that only an administrator can reset them.
If the computer belongs to your workplace or school, contact your IT department or help desk — they have tools to reset it for you. If it is your personal computer and you still cannot access any reset option, you may need to take it to a repair shop. Bring proof of ownership (receipt, warranty card, or ID matching the name on the account) so the technician can verify the computer is yours before proceeding.
Preparing for a reset: what to back up first
Before you reset, move any files you need to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer. This includes documents, photos, videos, and any files in your Desktop or Documents folders. On Windows, also check your Downloads folder — files there are often forgotten but may be important.
If you have programs installed that you will need after the reset, write down their names so you can reinstall them later. The reset removes all programs except the operating system itself. If you use browser bookmarks, passwords, or extensions, consider exporting them before the reset — most browsers have an export option in their settings menu.
After the reset: what comes next
Once the reset finishes, your computer will be like new. You will go through the initial setup process again, creating a new account or signing into an existing one. On Windows and Mac, you can sign in with your Microsoft or Apple account to restore some settings and apps automatically. On Chromebook, signing in with your Google account restores your files and extensions.
Reinstall any programs you need, and restore your backed-up files from the external drive or cloud storage. Set up a recovery email and phone number on your account right away — this makes it much easier to reset your password in the future without wiping the computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my computer without losing my files?
On Windows and Mac, yes — if you can access the password reset option without doing a full reset. Use the "Forgot password" link on the login screen or Recovery Mode to create a new password, and your files stay intact. A full reset erases everything, so only do that if you cannot reset the password itself.
What if I do not have a USB drive for Windows?
You can create a Windows installation USB on another computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website. If you do not have access to another computer, a repair shop can create one for you, or you can ask a friend or family member to make one and bring it to you.
Will resetting my computer remove viruses or malware?
A full reset removes everything on the drive, including malware. However, if malware is on an external drive or in cloud storage, it can come back after the reset. After you reset, run antivirus software and avoid downloading files from untrusted sources.
Do I need my Apple ID password to set up a Mac after a reset?
Yes. After you erase and reinstall macOS, you will need to sign in with your Apple ID to complete the setup. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you start the reset process.
What if the computer is encrypted and I do not know the password?
If your Windows drive is encrypted with BitLocker or your Mac uses FileVault, you will need the recovery key to decrypt it before you can reset. If you do not have the recovery key, contact the person who set up the encryption, or take the computer to a repair shop with proof of ownership.