What resetting your laptop means and when to do it

Resetting your laptop wipes everything on it — all your files, programs, and settings — and reinstalls the original operating system that came with it. This is different from restarting, which just turns the machine off and back on. A reset is useful when your laptop has slowed to a crawl, won't start properly, has a virus you can't remove, or you're selling it and want to erase your data.

Before you reset, understand that this erases everything. Back up any files you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive, or a USB stick. Once the reset starts, those files are gone. Also, you'll need to reinstall any programs you use — Microsoft Office, Zoom, your browser extensions, everything except what came with the laptop originally.

The reset process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your laptop's speed and how much data it has to erase. Your laptop will restart several times during this process, which is normal. Don't unplug it or close the lid while it's running.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your files before starting a reset, because the process erases everything on your laptop.
  • Windows laptops use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC, while Mac laptops use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
  • You can choose to keep your files and erase only programs, or erase everything — pick the option that matches what you need.
  • After the reset completes, you'll need to sign back in with your Microsoft account (Windows) or Apple ID (Mac) and reinstall your programs.
  • If your laptop won't start at all, you may need to use a recovery USB stick or take it to a repair shop instead of using the built-in reset tool.

How to reset a Windows laptop

On a Windows laptop that still starts up, the easiest path is the built-in reset tool. Click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left), then type "reset" into the search box. Click "Reset this PC" when it appears. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" if you're selling the laptop or trying to fix a serious problem. Choose "Keep my files" only if you want to erase programs but save your documents, photos, and downloads.

Windows will then ask where you want to reinstall from: cloud or local. Cloud is faster if your internet is reliable. Local takes longer but works if your connection is spotty. Click your choice, then click "Reset." The laptop will restart and begin the process. You'll see a progress bar. Don't interrupt it — let it run to completion, which usually takes 45 minutes to two hours.

When the reset finishes, your laptop will ask you to sign in. Use the Microsoft account (the email address) you used before, or create a new one. Windows will then download and install updates, which can take another 20 to 30 minutes. Your laptop is ready to use once that's done, but you'll need to reinstall your programs from the Microsoft Store, their official websites, or wherever you originally got them.

How to reset a Mac laptop

On a Mac, the reset process is called "erase and reinstall." Click the Apple menu in the top left, then click "System Settings." Scroll down and click "General," then click "Transfer or Reset" on the right side. Click "Erase All Content and Settings." macOS will warn you that this erases everything — click "Continue" if you're sure.

Your Mac will ask for your Apple ID password. Enter it, then click "Continue." The Mac will restart and begin erasing. You'll see a progress bar that says "Erasing." This can take 30 minutes to an hour. Once it finishes, your Mac will restart again and ask you to set it up as if it were brand new. Sign in with your Apple ID, choose your language and timezone, and create a user account. Your Mac will then download and install the latest version of macOS, which takes another 20 to 30 minutes.

If your Mac is older and doesn't have "Transfer or Reset" in System Settings, use the older method: restart your Mac and hold Command + R while it boots. This opens Recovery Mode. Click "Erase" in the Disk Utility window, then "Reinstall macOS" from the Utilities menu. The process is the same, just accessed differently.

What to do if your laptop won't start

If your laptop won't turn on or gets stuck on a black screen, you can't use the built-in reset tool. Instead, you'll need a recovery USB stick — a flash drive with the operating system on it. On Windows, you can create one on another computer by going to microsoft.com/software-download/windows and following the instructions. On Mac, you can create one by going to support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372 and following Apple's steps.

Once you have the recovery USB stick, plug it into your broken laptop. Turn the laptop on and immediately hold F12 (on most Windows laptops) or Option (on Macs) to boot from the USB stick. Then follow the reset instructions above — the process is the same, just started from the USB instead of from inside Windows or macOS.

If you don't have another computer to create the recovery stick, or if the laptop still won't start after you try this, take it to a repair shop. They have the tools to diagnose whether the hard drive is broken or whether the problem is something else.

Reinstalling your programs after a reset

After your reset finishes and your laptop is back to factory settings, you'll have only the programs that came with it. Everything else — Chrome, Slack, Photoshop, your password manager — is gone and needs to be reinstalled. Make a list of the programs you use regularly before you reset, so you don't forget any.

For most programs, go to their official website and download the installer. For Windows, many programs are also in the Microsoft Store — click the Start button, search for the program name, and click "Install." For Mac, many programs are in the App Store — click the App Store icon in the dock and search for the program. Some programs, like Microsoft Office, require a subscription or license key. Have that information ready before you start reinstalling.

Your files are still gone even after you reinstall your programs. If you backed them up before the reset, restore them from your backup now. If you didn't back them up, they're not recoverable.

Protecting your data before you reset

The most important step is backing up your files before the reset starts. Plug in an external hard drive or USB stick, then copy your Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and Desktop folders to it. On Windows, you can also use File History — go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Options > Backup Options and turn on File History. On Mac, you can use Time Machine — go to System Settings > General > Time Machine and click "Set Up Time Machine."

If you use cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud, your files there are already backed up — they won't be erased by a reset because they live on the company's servers, not on your laptop. But files that are only on your laptop's hard drive will be gone forever if you don't back them up first.

After the reset, restore your files from the backup. Plug in the external drive or USB stick, open it, and copy your files back to your laptop. If you used File History or Time Machine, those tools can restore everything automatically — just follow the prompts when you set them up again after the reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my laptop remove viruses?

Yes, a full reset (choosing "Remove everything" on Windows or "Erase All Content and Settings" on Mac) removes viruses because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. The virus has nowhere to hide. However, if you choose to keep your files, viruses in those files may come back after the reset.

Can I stop a reset once it starts?

You can stop it by restarting your laptop, but this can damage your system and leave it unable to start. Only stop a reset if something is clearly wrong — like your laptop is overheating or making unusual noises. If it's just taking a long time, let it finish.

Do I need my password to reset my laptop?

Yes. On Windows, you need your Microsoft account password. On Mac, you need your Apple ID password. If you don't remember either one, you can reset them on the Microsoft or Apple website before you start the reset process.

What if I reset my laptop and it still doesn't work?

If your laptop still won't start or runs slowly after a reset, the problem is likely hardware — a failing hard drive, bad RAM, or another component. Take it to a repair shop for diagnosis. A reset can't fix hardware problems.

How long does a reset actually take?

The reset itself usually takes 45 minutes to two hours. After that, Windows or macOS downloads and installs updates, which adds another 20 to 30 minutes. The total time depends on your internet speed and how much data your laptop has to erase. Older laptops with slower hard drives take longer than newer ones with solid-state drives.