How to Factory Reset a Windows PC
A factory reset wipes Windows back to a clean, like-new state — and it's one of the most useful tricks there is. It can clear a stubborn problem that nothing else fixes, sweep away years of accumulated clutter, or completely remove your data before you sell or recycle a PC. Done carelessly, though, it can also wipe files you needed. This guide shows you how to reset Windows safely, with your data protected, whatever your reason.
When a factory reset is the right move
A reset is worth considering when a PC is slow, crash-prone or riddled with leftover software and nothing simpler has helped; when you can't be sure a malware infection is fully gone; or when you're passing the machine on. It's a powerful tool, but not always the first one to reach for — if the PC is simply slow, an SSD upgrade or a clear-out (see our slow computer guide) often does the job with far less upheaval. If you've decided a reset is what you need, here's how.
Reset vs clean install — which is which?
Windows offers a built-in "Reset this PC" that can either keep your files or remove everything, reinstalling Windows from the files already on the machine. A true clean install goes a step further, wiping the drive entirely and rebuilding from fresh installation media — the surest way to clear a deep infection. For most people the built-in reset is exactly right; reach for a full clean install only when you want absolute certainty.
1. Back up your files first
A reset that removes everything is final, so before anything else, back up your documents, photos and anything else you want to keep to the cloud or an external drive. Note any software licence keys and make a list of the programs you'll need to reinstall — apps don't survive a reset, only your files (if you choose to keep them).
2. Open the reset tool
Go to Settings → System → Recovery and click "Reset this PC". (On Windows 10 the path is Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.)
3. Choose what to remove
You'll be offered two choices. "Keep my files" reinstalls Windows while preserving your personal files — ideal for fixing problems on a PC you're keeping. "Remove everything" wipes it all — the right choice when you're selling, gifting or recycling the machine. If you're parting with it, also choose the option to clean the drive fully, which makes your old data far harder to recover.
4. Follow the prompts and wait
Confirm your choices — you may be asked whether to reinstall Windows from the cloud or locally — then let it run. Keep the PC plugged in and don't interrupt it; the process can take anywhere from twenty minutes to over an hour and may restart several times. A reset that looks stuck on a percentage is usually still working, so give it plenty of time before worrying.
5. Set it up or hand it over
When it finishes, you'll reach the initial Windows setup screen. Sign in and restore your files and programs if you're keeping the PC — or, if you're passing it on, simply leave it at that setup screen and power it down so the new owner can set it up as their own. Never complete setup with your own account if someone else is taking the machine.
Common mistakes to avoid
- No backup. "Remove everything" means everything — double-check your files are safely copied first.
- Forgetting licence keys and logins. Note them before you wipe, or you'll be hunting for them afterwards.
- Not cleaning the drive when selling. A standard reset is fine for a PC you're keeping; tick the full clean option if it's leaving your hands.
If the reset won't run, or it's still slow afterwards
Sometimes a reset fails partway, gets stuck, or the machine is still frustratingly slow once it's done. That last one is the giveaway that the real issue isn't software at all — it's usually an ageing mechanical hard drive, too little memory, or a hardware fault that no amount of resetting will fix. An SSD upgrade in particular can make an old PC feel brand new. If you'd rather not risk losing data, or the reset won't behave, our computer repair team will back up your data, reset or reinstall Windows, fit any worthwhile upgrades, and set everything back up for you — with honest advice on whether it's worth keeping or replacing.