2 Simple Ways to Reset Windows 10 to Factory Settings

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Wipe your PC or laptop clean with a factory reset

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: December 3, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Reset from Settings
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• Reset from WinRE
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Do you need to factory reset your Windows 10 computer? While this seems like a difficult and scary task, Microsoft actually makes it super easy to do. In this article, we'll go over two ways you can reset your Windows 10 (as well as your Windows 11) computer. Keep reading to learn how!

Factory Resetting Windows 10

You can factory reset your Windows 10 (or 11) computer from either the Settings app or the Windows Recovery Environment. Either way, you'll be able to choose between wiping your computer clean or keeping your files. Make sure to wipe your computer fully if you're selling or giving it away.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Resetting from Settings

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1. 
   1
   Back up any files you don't want to lose. While there are options to keep your files, it's always best to make a backup in case of unforeseen circumstances. Back up any files you want to keep to an external drive or the cloud.
2. 
   2
   Open the Settings app. There are a few ways to do this:

   • Press ⊞ Win+i.
   • Type settings into the taskbar search bar and click Settings from the Start menu.
   • Click the Windows icon in the taskbar and choose Settings.
   • Right-click the Windows icon in the taskbar and click Settings.
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3. 
   3
   Click Update & Security. If you're on Windows 11, you'll click System in the sidebar instead.
4. 
   4
   Click Recovery. You may have to scroll to find this option.
5. 
   5
   Click Get started under "Reset this PC." If you're on Windows 11, you'll click Reset PC.
6. 
   6
   Choose whether to keep your files or erase them. If you're just refreshing your PC, choose Keep my files. If you're wiping your computer to sell, choose Remove everything.

   • If you choose Keep my files, you can also choose Restore preinstalled apps to install any of the default apps that your computer manufacturer added alongside the basic Windows apps.
   • If you choose Remove everything, you can also choose Clean data to fully wipe your computer. If you are selling or giving away your PC, choose this option.
7. 
   7
   Choose how to reinstall Windows. You can choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.

   • Cloud download will download a fresh copy of Windows from the internet. This is a good option to choose if your computer has been glitchy and your operating system has corrupted or missing files.
   • Local reinstall will use the OS files already on your computer to reinstall Windows. It's a good option if you're on a slower internet connection.
8. 
   8
   Wait for your computer to finish resetting. During the reset process, your computer screen may go dark, and it may restart itself a few times. It's important not to restart your computer manually during this process, as it can cause the factory reset to fail.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Resetting from Windows Recovery Environment

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1. 
   1
   Back up any files you don't want to lose. While there are options to keep your files, it's always best to make a backup in case of unforeseen circumstances. Back up any files you want to keep to an external drive or the cloud.
2. 
   2
   Enter the Windows recovery environment. There are a few ways to do this, but the easiest is to click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen, click the Power menu, and then hold down ⇧ Shift while you click Restart.

   • You can also enter the Recovery Environment by going to Update & Security > Recovery > Restart now (next to Advanced Startup).
     • If you're on Windows 11, you'll click System instead of Update & Security.
3. 
   3
   Click Troubleshoot once you're in the Windows RE. It's the bottom option, with the icon of a wrench and screwdriver.
4. 
   4
   Click Reset this PC. It's the top option, with an icon of a hard drive with an arrow above it.
5. 
   5
   Choose whether to keep your files or erase them. If you're just refreshing your PC, choose Keep my files. If you're wiping your computer to sell, choose Remove everything.

   • If you choose Keep my files, you can also choose Restore preinstalled apps to install any of the default apps that your computer manufacturer added alongside the basic Windows apps.
   • If you choose Remove everything, you can also choose Clean data to fully wipe your computer. If you are selling or giving away your PC, choose this option.
6. 
   6
   Choose how to reinstall Windows. You can choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.

   • Cloud download will download a fresh copy of Windows from the internet. This is a good option to choose if your computer has been glitchy and your operating system has corrupted or missing files.
   • Local reinstall will use the OS files already on your computer to reinstall Windows. It's a good option if you're on a slower internet connection.
7. 
   7
   Wait for your computer to finish resetting. During the reset process, your computer screen may go dark, and it may restart itself a few times. It's important not to restart your computer manually during this process, as it can cause the factory reset to fail.
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