How to Factory Reset a Windows Laptop (Windows 11 and 10)

Resetting Windows reinstalls the operating system and returns the laptop to a clean state. It’s the fix of last resort for a slow or misbehaving laptop, and an essential step before selling or giving one away.

Before you reset

• Back up your files, even if you plan to choose “Keep my files”. Copy them to OneDrive or an external drive.
• Plug in the charger. A reset that dies halfway can leave Windows unbootable.
• Have your Microsoft account password and BitLocker recovery key (account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey) handy.
• Note your installed apps. All apps are removed in every reset option.

How to reset Windows 11

1. Open Settings → System → Recovery.
2. Next to Reset this PC, click Reset PC.
3. Choose:
   • Keep my files: reinstalls Windows and removes apps and settings, but keeps your personal files. Try this first for performance problems.
   • Remove everything: deletes all files, apps and settings. Use this before selling the laptop, or for malware.
4. Choose how to reinstall:
   • Cloud download: downloads a fresh copy of Windows (about 4GB+). It’s the most reliable option, especially if Windows is damaged.
   • Local reinstall: rebuilds Windows from files already on the laptop. No download needed.
5. If you chose Remove everything, click Change settings and turn on Clean data when selling or giving the laptop away. It takes longer, but makes your files much harder to recover.
6. Click Reset. The laptop restarts several times. Allow 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Windows 10

Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Reset this PC → Get started. The options are the same. Note that Windows 10 is past its end-of-support date. See your options.

If Windows won’t start

1. Turn the laptop on and, as soon as the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to force it off. Do this three times. On the next boot Windows enters the Recovery Environment.
2. Choose Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.

Alternatively, hold Shift while clicking Restart on the sign-in screen. Many laptops also have a recovery key at startup (e.g. F11 on HP, the Novo button on Lenovo IdeaPads, F9 on ASUS).

Reset without a password (from the sign-in screen)

Forgot your password? You can reset a laptop you own without signing in. This removes all files. First try the account recovery steps in forgot your laptop password, which keep your files.

1. On the sign-in screen, click the power icon (bottom right).
2. Hold Shift and click Restart.
3. Choose Troubleshoot → Reset this PC → Remove everything.
4. Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall, and follow the prompts.

If the drive is encrypted, Windows asks for the BitLocker recovery key. See where to find it. School and work laptops may be locked to the organisation even after a reset.

After the reset

1. Run Windows Update until there’s nothing left to install.
2. Install your laptop maker’s support app or drivers (Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant).
3. Restore your files and reinstall only the apps you actually need.

Selling the laptop? Do this too

• Sign out of your Microsoft account and remove the device at account.microsoft.com/devices.
• Remove it from Find My Device.
• Deauthorise software licenses (Adobe, iTunes/Apple Music, etc.) before resetting.

Want the absolute cleanest start, with no manufacturer software? See how to clean install Windows 11.