To factory reset Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery, click Reset this PC, and choose either Keep my files or Remove everything; back up your data first because the reset reinstalls Windows.
A factory reset returns Windows to a clean state, which is the reliable fix for persistent crashes, corruption, or stubborn malware, and the right way to erase your data before parting with a PC. The built-in Reset this PC tool handles the whole process. Follow the steps for your version and, above all, back up anything you cannot afford to lose.
Back up before you start
A reset cannot be undone once it begins, and the Remove everything option deletes personal files permanently. Copy documents, photos, and anything else important to an external drive or cloud storage before continuing. Also make a note of any software license keys and sign out of apps tied to this device. The same back-up-first discipline applies to phones; the approach in how to back up your iPhone mirrors the idea of securing your data before a big change.
Reset in Windows 11
- Open Settings (Win+I).
- Go to System > Recovery.
- Next to Reset this PC, click Reset PC.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- Review the summary and click Reset.
Reset in Windows 10
The steps are nearly identical, but the menu path differs.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Pick your options as above and confirm.
Keep my files or Remove everything?
The two main choices serve different goals. Use the table below to decide.
| Option | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Keep my files | Reinstalls Windows, removes apps and settings, keeps personal documents | Fixing a misbehaving PC you plan to keep |
| Remove everything | Erases apps, settings, and all personal files | Selling, donating, recycling, or a clean start |
If you choose Remove everything and are giving the PC away, look for the extra option to clean the drive (sometimes labeled “Clean data”). It takes longer but makes recovered data much harder to retrieve, which matters when someone else will own the machine.
There is also a middle path worth knowing about. If Windows is misbehaving but you would rather not lose your installed programs, try the built-in troubleshooters and a system restore point first, since those are less drastic than a full reset. A reset should be the step you reach for when smaller fixes have failed or when you specifically want a clean machine. Keep my files is enough for most repair situations, while Remove everything is reserved for a genuinely fresh start or for handing the device to someone else.
Cloud download versus local reinstall
During setup, Windows asks how to reinstall itself. Cloud download pulls a fresh copy from Microsoft and is the safer choice if your system files are damaged, but it can use several gigabytes of data. Local reinstall rebuilds Windows from files already on the PC and needs no internet, which is better on slow or metered connections. If one method fails partway, trying the other often succeeds.
Resetting a PC you cannot sign in to
If Windows will not start or you are locked out, you can still reset from the Windows Recovery Environment.
- From the sign-in screen, hold Shift while clicking Power > Restart. Alternatively, force the PC off during boot three times in a row to trigger recovery automatically.
- Choose Troubleshoot.
- Choose Reset this PC and follow the same prompts.
What a reset does and does not remove
It is easy to assume a reset erases every trace of you, but the details matter. Choosing Remove everything wipes the system drive Windows lives on, but if your PC has separate additional drives, Windows asks whether to clear those too, so read the prompts carefully. A reset also does not touch files you have stored in the cloud, such as OneDrive; those remain in your account and will sync back when you sign in again, which is convenient but means they are not actually deleted by the reset. Apps bought from the Microsoft Store can be reinstalled from your account, while traditionally installed programs must be downloaded and set up again from scratch.
After the reset
When the PC restarts, you will go through the initial Windows setup again: choosing a region, connecting to Wi-Fi, and signing in. Once you are back on the desktop, install pending updates from Settings > Windows Update, then reinstall your apps from trusted sources only. Run a quick scan in Windows Security for peace of mind, especially if malware prompted the reset. Moving your files and settings onto a freshly reset machine follows the same logic as setting up any new device, much like the process in how to transfer data to a new iPhone.
Security housekeeping when handing over a device
Wiping the drive is only part of protecting yourself. Before the PC leaves your hands, unlink it from your Microsoft account online and sign out of browsers and password managers so no saved logins remain. Turning on stronger sign-in protection for your accounts is wise at the same time; if you are unfamiliar with it, our explainer on what two-factor authentication is shows why it is worth enabling. A careful reset plus good account hygiene means your data leaves with you, not with the hardware.
