How to Restore Windows 10 to Factory Settings

Restoring Windows 10 to factory settings wipes your personal files, installed apps, and custom settings, returning the PC to a clean, out-of-the-box state. This is useful when you’re selling the device, fixing persistent software issues, or starting fresh. Before you begin, back up any important files to an external drive or cloud service, as the reset process will remove them.

What You’ll Need

Backup of personal files (documents, photos, videos) to external storage or cloud
Product key for Windows 10 (optional, but helpful if you need to reactivate)
List of installed software you’ll need to reinstall
Charged laptop or connected power supply (do not let the PC shut down during reset)

Step-by-Step

Back up your files. Copy everything you want to keep to an external drive, USB stick, or cloud storage. Double-check folders like Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Downloads.
Open Settings. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and select the gear icon (Settings). Alternatively, press Windows + I.
Go to Update & Security. In the Settings window, click on “Update & Security”.
Select Recovery. In the left sidebar, click “Recovery”.
Start the reset. Under “Reset this PC”, click the “Get started” button.
Choose an option. You’ll see two choices:
- Keep my files: Removes apps and settings but keeps personal files. This is not a full factory reset, so if you want the cleanest state, choose the next option.
- Remove everything: Wipes all files, apps, and settings. This is the true factory reset.
For a full factory reset, select “Remove everything”.
Choose how to reinstall Windows. You’ll be asked how you want to reinstall Windows:
- Cloud download: Downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft servers. Requires internet connection and may use several GB of data.
- Local reinstall: Uses the existing Windows files on your PC. No internet needed, but may not fix corrupted system files.
If you have a stable internet connection, “Cloud download” is generally more reliable. Otherwise, choose “Local reinstall”.
Review settings. Windows will show you a summary of what will happen. If you’re selling or giving away the PC, also click “Change settings” and turn on “Clean data?” to make files harder to recover. Then click “Next”.
Confirm and reset. Click “Reset” to begin. The PC will restart and show a progress screen. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on your hardware and the method chosen.
Complete the out-of-box setup. After the reset, Windows will boot to the setup screen. Follow the prompts to choose your region, keyboard layout, and Microsoft account. If you’re selling the PC, you can stop at the account creation screen and let the new owner finish.

Common Mistakes

Not backing up. Forgetting to save files to external storage is the most common error. Even if you choose “Keep my files”, it’s safer to have a backup.
Choosing the wrong option. Selecting “Keep my files” when you intended a full wipe leaves residual data and may not fix deep system issues.
Interrupting the process. Unplugging the laptop or pressing the power button during the reset can corrupt the installation. Always keep the device plugged in.
Ignoring the “Clean data” option. If you don’t enable it, deleted files might be recoverable with data recovery tools, which is a privacy risk when selling the PC.
Not noting down installed apps. After the reset, you’ll need to reinstall everything. Make a list beforehand to avoid forgetting essential software.

Tips

Use the “Cloud download” option if you suspect system files are corrupted, as it replaces them with fresh copies.
If you have a laptop, connect the charger before starting the reset to avoid battery drain.
Before resetting, deactivate licenses for software that have a limited number of activations (e.g., Adobe products) to avoid issues later.
After the reset, update Windows and install drivers from your manufacturer’s website before reinstalling other software.
If you’re giving the PC away, consider removing the hard drive and physically destroying it if you have extremely sensitive data, as even “Clean data” is not 100% secure.

Troubleshooting

Reset fails or gets stuck. If the reset doesn’t complete, restart the PC and try again. If it fails repeatedly, you may need to use the “Reset this PC” option from the recovery environment: restart the PC, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Windows won’t boot at all. If you can’t access Settings, boot from a Windows 10 installation USB drive (create one using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool on another PC), then choose “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Reset this PC”.
Stuck on a black screen after reset. Wait for at least 30 minutes; some resets take a long time. If nothing happens, force a restart and try again. If it persists, you may need to reinstall Windows using a USB drive.
Activation issues after reset. Windows 10 automatically reactivates if the hardware hasn’t changed. If not, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and click “Troubleshoot”. If that fails, enter your product key.
Missing drivers. After a fresh install, some devices may not work until drivers are installed. Visit your PC manufacturer’s support website and download the latest drivers for your model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I choose “Keep my files”?

No, “Keep my files” preserves personal files in your user folders, but it removes installed apps and settings. It’s not a full factory reset, so if you want a completely clean slate, choose “Remove everything”.

How long does the reset take?

Typically 30 minutes to 2 hours, but it can take longer on older hardware or if you choose “Clean data”. The progress screen shows a percentage, but it may appear stuck at certain points—be patient.

Do I need a Microsoft account to reset?

No, you can reset Windows without a Microsoft account. During the setup after reset, you can choose “Offline account” or skip sign-in if you prefer.

Will I need to reinstall all my drivers?

Windows 10 includes many generic drivers, but for optimal performance (especially graphics and network), you should download the latest drivers from your PC manufacturer’s website.

Can I cancel the reset once it starts?

No, once the reset begins, you cannot cancel it safely. Interrupting it can leave your PC in a non-bootable state. Let it finish.

What’s the difference between “Cloud download” and “Local reinstall”?

Cloud download fetches a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft servers, which can fix corrupted system files. Local reinstall uses the existing Windows files on your PC, which is faster but may not fix underlying corruption.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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