How to Factory Reset Windows 10 and 11

A factory reset wipes your computer back to a clean Windows installation. It’s the nuclear option for persistent malware, accumulated slowness, or preparing a computer for sale. Here’s how to do it safely without losing anything important.

Before You Reset: Back Up Everything

A factory reset deletes all your files, apps, and settings. Back up before you start:

• Documents, photos, and videos — Copy to an external drive or upload to cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud)
• Browser bookmarks and passwords — Sync to your browser account (Chrome, Firefox, Edge all have built-in sync). Or export to a file
• Software license keys — Write down keys for paid software. Use a tool like ProduKey or Belarc Advisor to extract them
• App list — Screenshot your installed programs list (Settings → Apps) so you know what to reinstall
• Outlook/email data — If using desktop Outlook, export your PST file. Webmail (Gmail, Outlook.com) is already in the cloud
• Game saves — Steam cloud handles most, but check for local-only saves

Windows 11/10 Reset via Settings

The simplest method if Windows still boots normally:

1. Open Settings → System → Recovery (Windows 11) or Settings → Update & Security → Recovery (Windows 10)
2. Under “Reset this PC,” click Reset PC
3. Choose:
   • Keep my files — Removes apps and settings but keeps personal files. Good for fixing software problems without losing data
   • Remove everything — Full factory reset. Choose this if selling the computer or dealing with malware
4. Choose Cloud download (downloads fresh Windows from Microsoft — slower but cleaner) or Local reinstall (uses existing Windows files — faster but may carry over corrupted system files)
5. Review settings and click Reset

The process takes 30–90 minutes depending on your drive speed and whether you chose cloud download.

Reset When Windows Won’t Boot

If your computer won’t start normally:

1. Power on the computer and immediately force-shutdown 3 times (hold the power button). This triggers Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
2. Select Troubleshoot → Reset this PC
3. Choose “Remove everything” and “Cloud download”

If WinRE doesn’t work, create a bootable USB installer from another computer using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.

Clean Install (Most Thorough)

A clean install is more thorough than a reset — it wipes the drive completely and installs a fresh copy of Windows:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool on another computer
2. Create a bootable USB drive (8 GB minimum)
3. Boot from the USB (press F12, F2, or Del during startup to access boot menu)
4. Choose “Custom install”
5. Delete all partitions on the target drive and select the unallocated space
6. Windows installs fresh

After the Reset

1. Run Windows Update immediately — there will be many updates
2. Install your hardware drivers (check your computer manufacturer’s support page)
3. Set up Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus
4. Restore your backed-up files
5. Reinstall your applications from your saved list
6. Sign back into your browser to restore bookmarks and passwords

Selling Your Computer?

If you’re selling or giving away the computer, use “Remove everything” with the “Clean data” option. This overwrites deleted files so they can’t be recovered with data recovery tools. Takes longer but protects your data.