What resetting Windows means and when to do it

Resetting Windows means erasing everything on your computer and reinstalling the operating system from scratch. It wipes your files, programs, settings, and user accounts, then puts Windows back to the state it was in when you first turned on the machine. You end up with a blank slate — no viruses, no clutter, no broken settings left over from years of use.

Most people reset Windows for one of three reasons: the computer has slowed to a crawl and nothing else fixed it, malware or a virus survived other removal attempts, or they are selling or giving away the machine and want to erase their data completely. Resetting is also useful if Windows itself stops working properly — won't start up, crashes constantly, or has corrupted system files that repair tools cannot fix.

The catch is that resetting deletes everything. If you have files you care about, you must back them up first. Programs you installed will be gone and need to be reinstalled. If you do not have your Windows product key or a way to sign back in, you may have trouble getting Windows to activate again after the reset.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows has a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC that you reach through Settings, and it takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer speed.
  • You can choose to keep your files and erase only programs and settings, or erase everything — choose based on whether you need your documents and photos afterward.
  • Back up anything you want to keep before you start, because the reset will delete it if you choose the full erase option.
  • You need your Microsoft account password or a PIN to sign back in after the reset, so write it down before you begin.
  • If Windows will not start at all, you can reset from a USB drive or recovery partition instead of from inside Windows.

Reset from inside Windows using Settings

If Windows still starts and you can log in, the easiest way to reset is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System in the left menu, scroll down, and click Recovery.

Under "Recovery options," you will see a button labeled Reset this PC. Click it. Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. If you choose Keep my files, Windows erases all your programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and other personal files in place. If you choose Remove everything, the entire drive is wiped — this is what you want if you are selling the computer or dealing with malware.

After you choose, Windows will ask where to get a fresh copy of Windows — either download it now or use the recovery files already on your computer. Downloading is slower but more reliable. Then Windows will show you a summary of what is about to happen. Review it, click Reset, and the process begins. Your computer will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it. The whole process usually takes 30 minutes to two hours.

What to do before you reset

Back up any files you want to keep. If you are choosing "Remove everything," this is essential — you will not get them back. If you are choosing "Keep my files," you still should back up anything critical, because bugs or power loss during the reset can sometimes erase files even when you chose to keep them.

The easiest backup is to copy your files to an external hard drive or USB stick. Plug in the drive, open File Explorer, go to your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and Downloads folders, and drag them to the external drive. If you have a lot of files, this may take a while. Alternatively, you can use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox — upload your important files there, and you can download them after the reset.

Write down your Microsoft account password or PIN before you start. After the reset, you will need to sign in again, and if you cannot remember your password, you will have a harder time getting back into your account. If you use Windows Hello (face or fingerprint login), that will not work until you sign in with your password first.

Uninstall any programs you do not want to reinstall afterward. This is optional — they will be erased anyway — but it saves you the step of uninstalling them later. You can also write down a list of programs you use regularly so you remember what to reinstall.

Reset when Windows will not start

If Windows crashes on startup or will not boot at all, you cannot use the Settings method. Instead, you can reset from a recovery partition or a USB drive. Most computers have a recovery partition built in — a hidden section of the hard drive that holds a copy of Windows.

Restart your computer and watch the screen carefully. As it boots, look for a message that says "Press F11" or "Press F12" or similar — the key varies by manufacturer. Press that key repeatedly as the computer starts. This should open a recovery menu. Look for an option like Reset this PC, Recover your PC, or System Recovery. Follow the prompts the same way you would in Settings — choose whether to keep files or erase everything, then let it run.

If the recovery partition is damaged or does not exist, you will need a Windows installation USB. You can create one on another computer by downloading the Windows installation tool from Microsoft's website, plugging in a blank USB drive, and running the tool. Then plug that USB into the broken computer, restart it, and press the key to boot from USB (usually F12, Delete, or Esc — check your computer's manual). The Windows installer will start, and you can choose to repair or reset Windows from there.

After the reset is complete

When the reset finishes, your computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen. You will need to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you have a Microsoft account, use that — it is easier to recover if you forget your password later. Enter your email and password, and Windows will sign you in.

Windows will then install drivers and updates, which may take another 15 to 30 minutes. Let it finish — do not restart or shut down during this time. Once it is done, you will have a clean Windows desktop with no programs except the ones that came with Windows.

Now reinstall the programs you use. Go to the websites where you downloaded them originally, or check your email for download links. If you bought programs, you may need your product keys or license information — this is another reason to write things down before you reset. Restore your files from your backup by copying them back from the external drive or downloading them from cloud storage.

Finally, run Windows Update to make sure you have the latest security patches. Press the Windows key, type "update," and click Check for updates. Let Windows download and install any updates it finds, and restart if prompted.

Troubleshooting reset problems

If the reset gets stuck or fails partway through, try restarting your computer and running Reset this PC again. Sometimes it picks up where it left off. If it fails repeatedly, the hard drive may be damaged, or Windows may be too corrupted to repair itself.

If you see an error message about not enough space, the drive may be too full. Delete large files or programs to free up space, then try again. Windows needs at least a few gigabytes free to reset properly.

If you cannot sign back in after the reset, you may have forgotten your Microsoft account password. Go to the Microsoft account recovery page on another computer, enter your email, and follow the steps to reset your password. Then use the new password to sign in on your computer.

If Windows will not activate after the reset, it may not recognize your product key. If your computer came with Windows pre-installed, the key is usually tied to the hardware and should activate automatically. If you bought a separate Windows license, you may need to enter the product key manually. Go to Settings, System, About, and look for "Windows activation." Click it and enter your key if prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Windows remove viruses?

Yes, resetting erases everything on the drive, including any malware. However, if the virus is on an external drive or USB stick, it will still be there. After you reset, do not plug in external drives until you have antivirus software installed and updated.

Can I undo a reset after it starts?

Once the reset begins, you should not stop it — interrupting it can leave Windows in an unusable state. If you change your mind before clicking the final Reset button, you can close the window and cancel. After the reset starts, let it finish.

How long does a reset take?

A typical reset takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your computer's speed and whether you chose to download Windows or use the recovery partition. Older computers or those with slow hard drives take longer. SSDs are faster than traditional hard drives.

Do I need the Windows installation disc or product key?

If your computer came with Windows pre-installed, you usually do not need the disc or key — Windows will activate automatically using the hardware ID. If you bought Windows separately, you will need the product key to activate after the reset.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Before you reset, write down your password or use the Microsoft account recovery page to reset it. If you reset without doing this, you can still recover your account on another computer, then use the new password to sign in on your reset computer.