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    1 min read 5 stepsFebruary 11, 2026Verified February 2026

    How to Reset Windows to Factory Settings

    Start fresh by resetting your Windows PC to its original state — useful for selling or fixing major issues.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Windows Guides
    Difficulty
    Advanced
    Read Time
    1 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    advanced
    windows
    factory-reset
    troubleshooting

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Back up your data first
    2. 2.Open Recovery settings
    3. 3.Choose reset type
    4. 4.Choose reinstall method
    5. 5.Confirm and wait
    1

    Back up your data first

    ~15s
    Copy all important files to an external drive or cloud storage. A reset will erase everything.

    Warning

    A factory reset permanently deletes everything on your computer. Make sure all important files are copied to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin.

    2

    Open Recovery settings

    ~15s
    Go to SettingsSystemRecoveryReset this PCGet Started.
    3

    Choose reset type

    ~15s
    "Keep my files" reinstalls Windows but keeps personal files. "Remove everything" wipes the drive completely.

    Quick Tip

    If you are selling or giving away your PC, always choose "Remove everything" for privacy.

    4

    Choose reinstall method

    ~15s
    Select "Cloud download" for a fresh copy from Microsoft, or "Local reinstall" to use existing files.
    5

    Confirm and wait

    ~15s
    Click Reset. The process takes 30-60 minutes. Your PC will restart several times.

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    advanced
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    Official Resources

    Microsoft SupportHow-To Geek — WindowsGCFGlobal — Windows Basics

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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