How to Factory Reset a Windows PC

To factory reset a Windows PC, open Windows recovery settings, select Reset this PC, and choose whether to keep personal files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything when transferring the PC to another person; choose Keep my files when troubleshooting but retaining documents and photos.

What should you do before factory resetting a Windows PC?

A factory reset reinstalls Windows and can remove files, apps, settings, and accounts. Prepare before starting because erased data may not be recoverable.

• Copy documents, photos, downloads, browser bookmarks, and other important files to a separate drive or trusted cloud storage.
• Confirm that the backup opens from another device or location.
• Sign out of work, school, email, browser, cloud-storage, and licensed software accounts when possible.
• Have your Microsoft account password ready. A Windows Hello PIN is not the same as the account password.
• Save the BitLocker recovery key if device encryption is enabled. Windows recovery may request it.
• Connect a laptop or tablet to its charger. Do not start with a weak battery.
• Disconnect unnecessary external drives so that you do not erase or reinstall Windows on the wrong device.

How do you reset a Windows PC from Settings?

Reset this PC is the built-in Windows recovery feature. Menu names differ between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. In Windows 10, open Settings, select Update & Security, select Recovery, and choose Get started under Reset this PC. In Windows 11, open Settings, select System, select Recovery, and choose Reset PC.
2. Select Keep my files or Remove everything.
3. Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall if Windows offers the choice. Cloud download obtains fresh Windows installation files; Local reinstall uses files already on the PC.
4. Review the summary carefully. Select Change settings if you need to inspect options such as cleaning data or removing files from additional drives.
5. Confirm the reset and leave the PC connected to power. The screen may go blank and the computer may restart several times.

Keep my files reinstalls Windows while preserving personal files in user folders, but it removes installed apps and resets many settings. Remove everything deletes personal files as well as apps and settings. When another person will receive the PC, review the data-cleaning option instead of accepting the default without reading it.

How do you factory reset Windows from the lock or sign-in screen?

Use the Windows Recovery Environment when Windows reaches the sign-in screen but cannot start normally. The Windows Recovery Environment is a separate set of repair and reset tools.

1. On the sign-in screen, select the Power icon.
2. Hold the Shift key while selecting Restart.
3. After the recovery menu appears, select Troubleshoot.
4. Select Reset this PC.
5. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything, then follow the displayed prompts.

If Windows cannot reach the sign-in screen, repeated failed starts may open Automatic Repair and provide Advanced options. Select Troubleshoot only after confirming that you are working in Windows recovery. An encrypted PC may ask for its BitLocker recovery key.

How do you reset Windows with USB installation media?

Use USB installation media when the built-in reset is unavailable, repeatedly fails, or relies on damaged recovery files. Create the media on a working computer with Microsoft’s official Windows media-creation process, then start the affected PC from that USB drive.

Installation media performs a fresh Windows installation rather than simply running Reset this PC. A clean installation can remove existing partitions, manufacturer recovery tools, bundled apps, drivers, and all personal data. Confirm the correct Windows edition and target drive before deleting or formatting anything.

1. Back up recoverable files and save the BitLocker recovery key.
2. Insert the prepared Windows USB drive.
3. Open the PC’s boot-device menu or firmware settings and select the USB drive. The key and menu name vary by manufacturer.
4. Start Windows Setup and select the installation option appropriate for a clean installation.
5. Read every drive and partition choice carefully. Stop if you cannot identify the correct internal drive.
6. Complete Windows setup, then check activation, updates, and missing drivers.

What happens to files and apps after resetting Windows?

• Keep my files preserves personal files but removes installed desktop apps, resets many settings, and reinstalls Windows.
• Remove everything erases personal files, accounts, installed apps, and settings from the selected drive or drives.
• Apps installed by the PC manufacturer may return when the reset uses the manufacturer’s recovery image. A clean USB installation may omit them.
• Windows includes many basic drivers after reinstallation, but specialized hardware may require drivers from Windows Update or the PC manufacturer.
• Files stored only in an app, browser profile, encrypted folder, or unsynchronized cloud folder may not be preserved by Keep my files.

Neither reset choice should replace a verified backup. Read the final confirmation screen because it states what the selected options will remove.

What should you do after factory resetting a Windows PC?

1. Complete Windows setup and connect to a trusted network.
2. Sign in with the intended Microsoft, work, school, or local account.
3. Run Windows Update until no required updates remain, restarting when prompted.
4. Check Device Manager for hardware that lacks a driver.
5. Reinstall essential apps from their official sources.
6. Restore personal files from the verified backup, then confirm that they open correctly.
7. Check Windows activation in Settings. A PC with a digital license normally activates again after it connects to the internet, provided the installed Windows edition matches the license.

What should you do if a Windows reset fails or gets stuck?

A reset can pause on a percentage screen, show a blank display, restart repeatedly, or report that no changes were made. Do not interrupt the PC merely because progress appears slow, especially if the drive activity light, fan, or screen is still changing.

1. Keep the device connected to power and disconnect nonessential USB devices.
2. If Windows reports that the reset failed, return to the Windows Recovery Environment and try Startup Repair before repeating the reset.
3. If Keep my files fails, confirm that the backup is complete before considering Remove everything.
4. If Local reinstall fails, try Cloud download when a stable internet connection is available. If Cloud download fails, try Local reinstall.
5. If recovery cannot load or every reset attempt fails, create official Windows USB installation media on another computer.
6. If the PC cannot stay powered on, the internal drive is not detected, or Windows Setup repeatedly fails, stop and seek support from the PC manufacturer or a qualified repair provider.