If your PC is slow, unstable, full of problems, or ready for a new owner, a factory reset can give Windows a fresh start without using a separate USB installer.
Many people also call this process restoring a laptop or PC to factory settings. In Windows 11 and Windows 10, the built-in option for that is Reset this PC. It lets you reinstall Windows, keep your personal files or remove everything, and choose between Cloud download and Local reinstall.
These steps work for most Windows laptops and desktop PCs, including HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS models. The exact recovery screens may look slightly different depending on the manufacturer, but the main Windows reset options are usually the same.
This guide explains how to factory reset Windows from Settings, how to reset your PC when you cannot reach the desktop, and how to choose the right reset options before you start.
Before You Factory Reset a Windows Laptop or PC
Before you reset Windows, take a few minutes to prepare your PC. A reset is easier than manually formatting your computer, but it can still remove apps, settings, and personal files depending on the options you choose.
If your PC is only slow because it is running out of storage, you may want to free up disk space in Windows before doing a full reset. If the problem started after a recent update, driver, or system change, you may also want to try System Restore first before resetting the PC.
To get ready:
- Back up important files to an external drive, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another safe location.
- Make sure your laptop is plugged into power.
- Save passwords, license keys, or app installers you may need later.
- Check if you need your BitLocker recovery key, especially if your device is encrypted.
- Disconnect external drives you do not want to affect.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection if you plan to use Cloud download.
If you are selling, donating, or giving away the PC, do not use the option that keeps your files. Choose Remove everything instead.
Keep My Files vs. Remove Everything
During the reset, Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. This is the most important choice in the process.
- Choose Keep my files if you want to reinstall Windows but keep personal files such as documents, pictures, videos, and files stored in your user folders. This option removes installed apps and resets many system settings, so you will still need to reinstall programs like browsers, Office apps, games, printers, VPN tools, and other software you use.
- Choose Remove everything if you want to erase your files, apps, and settings before reinstalling Windows. This is the better option if you are selling, donating, or giving away the PC, or if you want the cleanest possible reset.
Windows may also show an extra option to clean the drive. If you are keeping the PC, a quick removal is usually enough. If someone else will use the device, cleaning the drive is safer because it makes deleted files harder to recover, although the process takes longer.
Even if you choose Keep my files, you should back up important files before starting.
Cloud Download vs. Local Reinstall
Windows will also ask how you want to reinstall the system: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- Cloud download downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft and uses it to reinstall your PC. It is usually the better choice if you have a stable internet connection, if Windows may be corrupted, or if Local reinstall failed before. The downside is that it can take longer and use several gigabytes of data.
- Local reinstall uses files already stored on your PC. It can be faster and does not require downloading Windows again, but it may fail if the local recovery files are damaged or missing.
For most users, Cloud download is the safer option when internet speed is not a problem. Choose Local reinstall if your connection is slow, limited, or unreliable.
How to Factory Reset Windows 11
Use this method if you can still sign in to Windows 11 and access the desktop.
Follow these steps to factory reset Windows 11 from the Settings app using Reset this PC.
- Open Recovery settings
Open Settings, go to System, and select Recovery.
- Start Reset this PC
Under Recovery options, find Reset this PC and click Reset PC.
- Choose what to keep
Select Keep my files if you want to reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files, or choose Remove everything if you want to erase files, apps, and settings.
- Choose how to reinstall Windows
Select Cloud download to download a fresh copy of Windows, or Local reinstall to use files already stored on your PC.
- Review and start the reset
Review the additional settings, click Next, and then click Reset when you are ready.
Windows 11 will begin the reset process. Your screen may go black during part of the process, and the PC may restart several times. Do not turn it off manually while the reset is running.
When the reset is complete, Windows will guide you through the setup process again.
How to Factory Reset Windows 10
Use this method if you can still access the Windows 10 desktop.
- Open Settings, go to Update & Security, and select Recovery from the left menu.
- Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
- Choose Keep my files if you want to reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files, or choose Remove everything if you want to erase files, apps, and settings.
- Choose Cloud download to download a fresh copy of Windows, or Local reinstall to use files already stored on your PC.
- Review the reset summary, click Next, and then click Reset to begin.
Windows 10 will reinstall the system using the options you selected. The computer may restart several times before the reset is complete.
Note: Windows 10 still works, but Microsoft ended free security updates and support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If your computer supports Windows 11, you may want to consider upgrading after the reset.
How to Factory Reset Windows from Boot When You Can’t Reach the Desktop
If Windows does not start correctly, you may still be able to factory reset the PC from boot using the Windows Recovery Environment. This method works for a Windows 11 factory reset from boot or a Windows 10 factory reset from boot when you cannot open Settings.
If your goal is to fix a recent system problem without reinstalling Windows, you may want to try System Restore when Windows won’t boot before using Reset this PC.
From the sign-in screen
If you can reach the lock screen or sign-in screen, hold down Shift, click the Power icon, and select Restart. When the recovery menu appears, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Then choose Keep my files or Remove everything, select Cloud download or Local reinstall, and follow the on-screen instructions.
If Windows will not boot
If Windows fails to start several times, your PC may open Automatic Repair or the Windows Recovery Environment by itself. From there, choose Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Select the reset options you want and follow the instructions on the screen.
Some PCs also include manufacturer recovery keys, such as F11, F12, or another key during startup. However, this depends on the brand and model, so it is better to use the Windows recovery options when available.
If Reset this PC fails with the message “There was a problem resetting your PC”, follow this guide to fix the Reset this PC error before trying a full reinstall.
If none of these methods work, you may need to create Windows installation media from another working PC and reinstall Windows from a USB drive.
What to Do After the Reset
After Windows finishes resetting, do not rush to install everything at once. Take a few minutes to confirm that the system is working correctly.
Start with the basics:
- Connect to the internet.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update and install available updates.
- Restart the PC if Windows asks you to.
- Check that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, keyboard, touchpad, and display brightness work correctly.
- Reinstall only the apps you actually need.
- Restore your personal files from your backup.
- Sign in to OneDrive or your preferred cloud service.
- Check Device Manager if something is not working.
Once the PC is updated and working well, it is a good idea to create a restore point in Windows while the system is still clean and stable.
If the PC belongs to you, this is also a good time to remove unnecessary startup apps and keep the setup light.
Quick Troubleshooting
The reset is taking a long time
A Windows reset can take a while, especially if you chose Cloud download or the option to clean the drive. The screen may also stay black during part of the process. Keep the PC plugged in and avoid forcing a shutdown unless it has clearly been stuck for a long time.
The reset failed
If Windows says There was a problem resetting your PC, try again using Cloud download instead of Local reinstall. If the problem continues, you may need to repair corrupted Windows system files or reinstall Windows using installation media.
I don’t see Reset this PC
On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. If Windows does not start, try opening the Windows Recovery Environment from the sign-in screen or Automatic Repair.
Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key
If your PC is encrypted, Windows may ask for your BitLocker recovery key before allowing the reset. You can usually find it in the Microsoft account linked to the device.
My files are missing after the reset
If you chose Remove everything, personal files are removed. If you chose Keep my files, check your user folders, OneDrive, and the desktop. Windows may also save a list of removed apps on the desktop after the reset.
FAQ
For most users, yes. Restoring a laptop or PC to factory settings usually means using Reset this PC to reinstall Windows, remove apps and settings, and optionally remove personal files.
Yes. Choose Keep my files during the reset process. This option is designed to keep personal files, but you should still back up anything important before starting because apps and many settings will be removed.
Choose Cloud download if you have a good internet connection or think your current Windows files may be damaged. Choose Local reinstall if your internet is slow, limited, or unreliable.
Yes. In most cases, you can factory reset an HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, or other Windows laptop using the same Reset this PC options shown in this guide. Some brands also include their own recovery tools, but the Windows reset method is usually the simplest place to start.
Final Tips
Factory resetting Windows is useful when your PC is slow, unstable, or ready to be sold or given away. If you plan to keep using the computer, Keep my files is usually the safer starting point. If someone else will use the PC, choose Remove everything and use the drive cleaning option when available.
After the reset, install Windows updates, restore only the files you need, and reinstall apps carefully so the PC stays clean and fast.
