How to Reset Windows 10

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

If your Windows 10 PC is experiencing issues or you are selling it, you should reset it. Performing a reset lets you choose to keep or remove your files, removes all apps and settings, and installs a fresh copy of Windows. This can also fix many problems such as slow performance.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ab\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Open the Settings app . Press the Start

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png\/30px-Windowsstart.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":30,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

button which is located on the bottom-left of your screen and choose the settings gear

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/d\/d0\/Windowssettings.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d0\/Windowssettings.png\/31px-Windowssettings.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":445,"bigWidth":31,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Select

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/a\/ad\/Windows10-Update.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Windows10-Update.png\/30px-Windows10-Update.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":30,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Update & security from the list of categories.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Under the "Reset this PC" heading at the top, click or tap on the Get started button.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5
Choose whether to keep your files or not. After the reset, you can sign in to your Microsoft account. Any Windows Store apps purchased under this account will reinstall.
- Keep my files removes your apps and settings, but keeps all of your personal files.
- Remove everything erases your apps, settings, and personal files. If you don't have a backed up copy of your files, you may want to press Cancel , back them up , and begin this process again.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This should take under 30 seconds.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

7
If you've decided to remove everything, select whether to perform a secure erase of your files. This will only show if you selected "Remove everything" in the previous step.
- Choose Just remove my files if you are keeping the computer.
- Opt to Remove files and clean the drive if you are selling or getting rid of your PC. Note: This can extend the reset process by a few hours.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Click or tap Next if you are warned that you just upgraded to Windows 10 and won't be able to roll back to the previous operating system.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Windows will prepare to reset your device. Simply wait until you're taken to a blue screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Reset-Windows-10-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid8169973-v4-728px-Reset-Windows-10-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Windows will restart and begin resetting. Your PC may reboot several times as the reset is occurring.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

If I choose to remove everything, does it erase all the drives in/connected to my computer or only the one that I'm running Windows 10 on?

Community Answer

It'll only erase the Windows 10 OS drive (usually C: drive). Other drives in/connected to your computer won't be affected.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 19
Question

How can I do this if my screen is broken?

Community Answer

You can't, unfortunately. You will need to get a new screen.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
Question

If I've logged into any website, will that history be removed as well?

Community Answer

Yes, depending on what browser you are using. To remove your browser history, just go to your settings in the browser and delete your history. You can also use incognito modes to avoid having your history saved.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If you change your mind during this process, simply press Cancel .

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Even if you've selected to keep your files, something might go wrong during the process and your file might get damaged or deleted. It is always good to have them backed up .

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Device running Windows 10

Log in

How to Reset Windows 10

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories