How to Format Any Computer: PC, Mac, & Chromebook

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Your guide for formatting Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks
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Formatting your computer means erasing all the data on the hard drive(s) and then reinstalling Windows or macOS for a fresh start. This can be useful if your computer isn't working right or you plan to sell it and don't want to risk someone recovering your data. Fortunately, both Windows and macOS come with easy-to-use formatting tools that make the process pretty painless. Read on to learn how to completely erase everything on your computer, with expert tips from desktop support engineer Spike Baron.

How to Format a Computer

  • Windows 11: Click Start and go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC . Follow the prompts to reset.
  • Mac: Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content & Settings > Continue . Follow the prompts to reset.
  • Chromebook: Sign out of your Chromebook. Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R and go to Powerwash > Continue . Follow the prompts to reset your Chromebook.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Windows 10 & 11

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  1. Although formatting your Windows 10 or 11 PC is super easy, the changes are permanent—you'll be deleting all of your apps, settings, and personal files and reinstalling Windows from scratch. You can back up your files to an external hard drive, or a cloud storage service like Google Drive , or OneDrive . [1]
  2. To do so, click the Windows Start menu and then click the gear icon.
    • If you can't boot into Windows, you can boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). To do so, power your computer on and immediately press and hold the Power button to shut it down as soon as you see the startup logo. Repeat three times to boot into WinRE. Once you boot into WinRE, select Troubleshoot and Reset this PC .
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  3. If you are using Windows 11, click System in the menu bar to the left. If you are using Windows 10, click the Update & Security icon. [2]
  4. On Windows 11, it's about three-quarters of the way down the System menu. On Windows 10, it's in the menu panel on the left. [3]
  5. If you are using Windows 11, click Reset PC next to "Reset this PC." If you are using Windows 10, click Get Started below "Reset this PC." [4]
  6. It's the second option on the blue screen. This option will completely erase your hard drive and remove all your files.
    • Baron explains that you can't erase the C drive when you're booted into Windows, as Windows is currently running on the drive. Because of this, Windows will reboot your computer before it erases the data on your C drive.
    • Clearing the drive is important if you're planning to sell or give away this PC. That's because formatting the hard drive makes it hard for someone malicious to restore your deleted files. But if you want to keep the PC, you can click Just remove my files to skip formatting the drive.
    • Another more serious option for cleaning the hard drive is to use a third-party data-wiping tool like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke). If you use a drive-clearing program, you'll need to make sure you have a Windows recovery drive or DVD so you can reinstall the operating system. See How to Clean a Hard Drive to learn more about this option.
  7. This option will download the latest version of Windows from the internet and provide a clean installation.
    • If you do not have an internet connection, you can click Local reinstall to reinstall Windows using a local installation file from your computer. This option tends to be quicker.
  8. You will get one or two warning screens: The first informs you that all your files will be removed and Windows will be reinstalled, and the second explains that you will revert to a previous Windows version and lose updates. Click Next on both screens. [5]
  9. Depending on the size and speed of your hard drive, this part can take a while (anywhere from several minutes to several hours). [6]
    • If you're using a laptop, make sure you plug it into a power source so the formatting is not interrupted.
  10. Your PC is now formatted. If you'd like to reinstall Windows , follow the on-screen instructions to do so.
    • Baron notes that you'll be asked where you want to install Windows during the installation process. If you want to do a clean install, delete all the partitions shown until it's all unallocated space. Then, click Next , and Windows will automatically create new partitions for you.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using a Mac (Apple Silicon or T2 Chip)

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  1. Formatting your Mac will erase all your data, so ensure you've backed up everything you want to keep. See How to Back Up a Mac to learn how to save your files to Time Machine or iCloud. [7]
  2. To do so, click the Apple icon in the menu bar at the top and select System Settings (or System Preferences on earlier macOS versions).
    • This method works for Macs that have an Apple T2 or Apple Silicon chip running macOS Monterey or later. [8]
  3. If you are using macOS Ventura or later, click General in the menu bar to the left.
  5. Type your password to log in to your Mac, then click Unlock or OK . This will open the reset assistant.
  6. The reset assistant displays all the content that will be erased by resetting your Mac. Review the information and click Continue in the lower-right corner.
    • If prompted, sign out of your Apple ID.
  7. The pop-up window gives you a final warning that this can't be undone. Click Erase All Content & Settings to continue.
    • If you are selling your Mac, you can stop once your Mac reboots to the setup process.
  8. When your Mac finishes restarting, you will be prompted to connect your keyboard and mouse again via Bluetooth (if needed). You may also be prompted to connect to Wi-Fi to activate your Mac. Once you're finished, click Restart to set up your Mac like new.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using a Chromebook

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  1. Formatting your Chromebook will erase all data you have saved on your device. Back up everything you want to keep. You can back up your files to Google Drive and sync your settings with your Google account.
  2. You'll first want to sign out of your Google account on your Chromebook:
    • Click the time in the lower-right corner.
    • Click the Power icon.
    • Click Sign Out .
  3. This will open the Reset menu.
    • Alternatively, you can click the time, select the gear icon, and go to System preferences > Reset .
    • If prompted, click Restart to continue.
  4. It's the lower-right corner. You will see a pop-up warning alerting you that this will erase all data on your computer.
  5. This will format your Chromebook and erase all data and settings. [9]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using a Mac (Intel)

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  1. Formatting your Mac will erase all your data, so ensure you've backed up everything you want to keep. See How to Back Up a Mac to learn how to save your files to Time Machine or iCloud. [10]
    • This method works for older Macs that have Intel processors.
  2. If your Mac is already turned on, reboot it and press this key combination as soon as it turns back on. This boots your Mac into Recovery Mode. [11]
    • You can release your fingers from the keys once you see the Apple logo or a startup screen.
  3. It's the last option on the "macOS Utilities" window. [12]
  4. It's at the bottom-right corner.
  5. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  6. This displays all disks connected to your Mac in the left panel. [13]
  7. For example, if you want to format the primary drive on which macOS is installed, you'll select the first disk at the top of the list (under "Internal"). In most cases, this will be called "Macintosh HD."
  8. It's near the top-center part of the window.
  9. [14]
    • Name: Enter a name to identify the hard drive.
    • Format: Unless you have a specific reason not to do so, leave the default format of your internal hard drive as APFS . [15]
    • Scheme: Select Choose GUID Partition Map .
  10. You may be asked to verify your Apple ID or password. Once the disk is erased and formatted, you'll return to the Disk Utility list. [16]
    • If you have additional hard drives, you can format them now using Disk Utility.
  11. You can do this by clicking the red circle at the top-left corner of the window.
    • If you want to reinstall macOS on this drive, just boot back into Recovery Mode by pressing Control + R at startup, and then select Reinstall macOS (to start from scratch) or Restore From Time Machine Backup (if you backed up the OS to Time Machine).
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Windows 8.1

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  1. Since formatting your PC will erase all your files and settings, you'll probably want to do a backup first. Check out How to Back Up a Windows Computer to learn how to quickly back up your PC before you proceed. [17]
    • If your PC came with Windows 8 instead of Windows 8.1, formatting and resetting will revert you to Windows 8. [18] But don't worry—you'll be prompted to install a free upgrade to Windows 8.1 soon after installing.
  2. This opens the Charms menu.
  3. It's the gear icon on the Charms menu.
  4. It's at the bottom of the menu.
  5. It's near the bottom of the left panel.
  6. It's on the right panel.
  7. It's in the middle of the right panel. Make sure you don't accidentally click "Get started" under a different option, as there are several. [19]
  8. This confirms that you want to delete your files, apps, and settings from this PC.
  9. If you only want to format the drive on which Windows 8 is installed, select Only the drive where Windows is installed . To format all drives on the computer, select All drives .
  10. This option (the second one) ensures that the drive is completely formatted.
    • If you plan to keep the PC and aren't worried about people accessing your deleted files, you can click Just remove my files . This won't format the drive, though.
    • A more serious option for cleaning the hard drive is to use a third-party data-wiping tool like DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke). DBAN and similar tools make it impossible for anyone to find fragments of your deleted files, so this might be useful if you plan to sell or give away your PC. Just make sure you have recovery media so you can reinstall Windows afterward. See How to Clean a Hard Drive to learn more about this option.
  11. Depending on the size and speed of your hard drive, this part can take a while (anywhere from several minutes to several hours).
    • If you're using a laptop, make sure you plug it into a power source so the formatting is not interrupted.
    • Once the PC is formatted, it will reboot and prompt you to reinstall Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions if you'd like to do so.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why would I need to format it?
    Community Answer
    Formatting is a process which cleans all your previous data. If you wanted your computer to be wiped clean (for example, to sell), you would want to format it.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 15
  • Question
    What can I do if I forget my password?
    Community Answer
    Use a password reset disk to edit and clear all passwords. Restart the system and log in with other users. The password isn't required - just your username.
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    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
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  • Question
    How do I format Windows 10?
    Community Answer
    Go to "Settings" and select "Update & Security." Click "Recovery" in the left pane and click "Get Started" under "Reset this PC." Click either "Keep my files," "Remove everything," "Just remove my files," or "Remove files and clean the drive." Click "Next," then "Reset," and then "Continue."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    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
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/backup-and-restore-in-windows-352091d2-bb9d-3ea3-ed18-52ef2b88cbef#WindowsVersion=Windows_10
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/give-your-pc-a-fresh-start-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e#ID0EBD=Windows_10
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/give-your-pc-a-fresh-start-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e#ID0EBD=Windows_10
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/give-your-pc-a-fresh-start-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e#ID0EBD=Windows_10
      5. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/factory-reset-windows-10
      6. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/factory-reset-windows-10
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/mac-backup
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102664
      9. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183084
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/mac-backup
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/erase-and-reformat-a-storage-device-dskutl14079/mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/erase-and-reformat-a-storage-device-dskutl14079/mac
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496#which
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-refresh-reset-or-restore-your-windows-8-1-pc-51391d9a-eb0a-84a7-69e4-c2c1fbceb8dd
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17085/windows-8-restore-refresh-reset-pc
      10. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-refresh-reset-or-restore-your-windows-8-1-pc-51391d9a-eb0a-84a7-69e4-c2c1fbceb8dd

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Back up your data.
      2. Open your Windows Settings.
      3. Click Update & Security .
      4. Click Recovery .
      5. Click Get Started under "Reset this PC."
      6. Click Remove everything .
      7. Click Remove files and clean the drive .
      8. Click Next . 9. Click Reset .

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      • Pratap Keshari Naik

        Mar 12, 2017

        "I can now format my computer without help of an expert. "
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