How to Reformat a Windows or MacBook Computer

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Troubleshoot your computer is get it ready to sell
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If you're going to sell or give away your computer, reformatting your laptop ensures that your data is erased and the new owner can set it up exactly as they want to. You can also reformat your laptop if you're having trouble with performance, have viruses or malware, or just want a fresh start. This wikiHow teaches you how to reformat your Windows or Mac laptop and reinstall the operating system, with expert tips from computer specialists Spike Baron and Garnik Ovsepyan.

How to Format a Laptop

On Windows, open Windows Settings and click System > Recovery . Then click Reset this PC and follow the prompts. On Mac, click the Apple Icon > System Settings > General > Transfer or reset > Erase All Content and Settings . Follow the prompts.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows Settings

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  1. Since reformatting your laptop can take a while, you'll need to make sure the battery doesn't die during the process.
  2. 2
    Back up your data. According to Baron, you should always back up your computer before reformatting it to ensure that you keep the files and data you want to keep. [1] You can back up your files to an external drive or a cloud storage service, like Google Drive or OneDrive .
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  3. You can do this by clicking the Windows Start menu and selecting the Settings gear icon. You can also press Windows key + i to open your settings. [2]
  4. 4
    Navigate to the Recovery section in the Settings menu. This will be slightly different depending on whether you are using Windows 10 or 11. Use one of the following steps to navigate to the Recovery section: [3]
    • Windows 11: Click System, followed by Recovery .
    • Windows 10 : Click Update & Security , followed by Recovery .
  5. It'll be under or next to the "Reset This PC" header. [4]
  6. It's the second option. This is the option that will clean all of the data from your hard drive.
    • If you are trying to troubleshoot problems with your computer, you can try selecting Keep my files first to preserve your data. If this doesn't fix this issue, you may need to remove everything.
  7. 7
    Select Cloud download or Local reinstall . A cloud reinstall will download a fresh copy of the latest version of Windows online. A local reinstall will reinstall Windows from your local hard drive.
    • A cloud download is recommended, especially if you are experiencing problems with your Windows installation. However, this will take a little bit longer and requires an active internet connection. If you are short on time and your Windows installation is okay, you can select a local reinstall instead.
  8. This is where you can tell Windows to "clean the drive," which is just another way to say "reformatting." [5]
  9. This option will completely zero out your hard drive, instead of doing a surface format. This ensures there is no data left behind on your hard drive.
    EXPERT TIP

    Garnik Ovsepyan

    Computer Specialist
    Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist

    For extra security, you'll want to completely zero out your hard drive. If you do a surface format, bits of data are left behind that can be recovered by someone who is tech-savvy.

  10. 10
    Click the Reset button. It's at the bottom of the window. This will start the process of reformatting your computer. Your computer may restart several times. Once the formatting process is complete, you will need to go through the process of setting up Windows again.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Windows Recovery Environment

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  1. Since reformatting your laptop can take a while, you'll need to make sure the battery doesn't die during the process.
  2. 2
    Back up your data. You should always back up your computer before reformatting it to ensure that you keep the files and data you want to keep. If you are able to access your system, you can back up your files to an external drive or a cloud storage service, like Google Drive or OneDrive .
    EXPERT TIP

    Spike Baron

    Network Engineer & Desktop Support
    Spike Baron is a Network Engineer & Desktop Support Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With over 25 years of working experience in the tech industry, Spike specializes in PC and Mac computer repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, and hardware and software upgrades. He has worked as an IT Systems expert for numerous companies, including Huntington Health, Blackbox, Honda, and Manufacturers Bank. In his spare time, Spike also builds and restores computers. He has his CompTIA A+ certification for computer service technicians and is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.
    Spike Baron
    Network Engineer & Desktop Support

    You can backup your hard drive using imaging software. If you can't boot into Windows, software like Macrium, Reflect, or Cronus allows you to create a bootable flash drive, which you can use to create a backup image of a problematic drive.

  3. 3
    Access Windows Recovery Environment. There are a few ways you can access WinRE. You can boot into it from the Windows Settings, or if you are not able to boot into Windows, there are ways you can boot into WinRE from startup. Use one of the following steps to do boot into WinRE: [6]
    • Windows Settings: Open Windows Settings on your computer and click System > Recovery (or Update & Security > Recovery on Windows 10). Select Restart Now next to "Advanced Startup."
    • Force Boot: If you are unable to boot into Windows, you can boot into Windows Recovery Environment by force-shutting down your computer three times during boot up. Power your laptop off. Power it on, and as soon as you see your computer logo, press and hold the power button to force it to shut down. Repeat three times.
    • Recovery Media: If you can boot into Windows or you have access to a computer with a working version of Windows, you can create a Windows Recovery Media disk from a USB drive. You can use the Windows Recovery Media to boot into Windows Recovery by booting from the Recovery USB drive.
    • Windows Installation Media: Alternatively, you can create a Windows Installation Media disk using a USB drive. You can download the media creation tool from here . Boot your computer from the installation media drive. Then you can select Repair PC to boot into Windows Recovery Environment, or select Install Windows 11 (or Install Windows 10 ) and follow the prompts to install Windows.
  4. 4
    Select Troubleshoot . It's the option that has an icon with a wrench and a screwdriver next to it.
  5. 5
    Select Reset This PC . It's the first option in the Troubleshoot menu.
  6. 6
    Select Remove Everything . Select this option to reformat your computer and erase all your data.
    • If you have not been able to back up your hard drive, or you want to try to repair a problem with Windows, you may want to select "Keep Your Files" and try to repair Windows. If that doesn't fix the problem, you may need to remove everything.
  7. 7
    Select Cloud download or Local install . A Cloud download will download the latest version of Windows from the internet. A local reinstall will install Windows from your computer or the recovery media drive.
    • A cloud download is recommended, especially if you are experiencing problems with your Windows installation. However, this will take a little bit longer and requires an active internet connection. If you are short on time and your Windows installation is okay, you can select Local reinstall instead.
  8. 8
    Select if it's a workplace laptop. If the laptop you are using is a corporate computer that belongs to your employer, select Yes . If it is a personal computer, select No .
  9. 9
    Select Fully clean the drive . This option will completely zero out your hard drive, instead of doing a surface format. This ensures there is no data left on the hard drive that tech-savvy individuals may be able to access. .
    • If you are keeping the laptop for yourself, you can select Just remove my files . This will do a surface format, which will go quicker.
  10. 10
    Click the Reset button. It's at the bottom of the screen. This will start the process of reformatting your computer. Your computer may restart several times. Once the formatting process is complete, you will need to go through the process of setting up Windows again.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using macOS System Settings

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  1. Since reformatting your laptop can take a while, you'll need to make sure the battery doesn't die during the process.
  2. 2
    Back up your MacBook. Reformatting your MacBook will erase all data on the hard drive. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep before reformatting it. You can back up your MacBook to an external hard drive or Time Machine, or you can use a cloud service, such as iCloud or Google Drive .
  3. 3
    Open the System Settings menu. To do so, click the Apple Icon in the upper-left corner and then click System Settings . [7]
    • If you are using an older version of macOS (Version 11 Big Sur or earlier), you will need to use Recovery Mode instead .
    • If you are using macOS 12 (Monterey), click System Preferences instead.
  4. 4
    Click General . It's in the menu bar to the left.
    • If you are using macOS 12 (Monterey), click Erase All Content and Settings in the System Preferences menu bar instead.
  5. 5
    Scroll down and click Transfer or reset . It's at the bottom of the "General" menu.
  6. 6
    Click Erase All Content and Settings . It's at the bottom of the "Transfer and Reset" menu.
  7. 7
    Enter your MacBook password. You'll need to enter an administrative password to confirm you want to reset your Mac.
    • You may also be asked to enter your Apple Account password in order to sign out of Find My Mac.
    • You may also be asked if you want to back up your Mac before reformatting it.
  8. 8
    Click Erase All Content and Settings . It's the red text at the bottom of the window. This confirms that you want to reset your MacBook and starts the formatting process. When it is finished, your MacBook will activate and ask if you want to restart. After restarting, you will need to go through the process of setting up macOS again.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using macOS Recovery Mode

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  1. Since reformatting your laptop can take a while, you'll need to make sure the battery doesn't die during the process.
  2. 2
    Back up your MacBook. Reformatting your MacBook will erase all data on the hard drive. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep before reformatting it. You can back up your MacBook to an external hard drive or Time Machine, or you can use a cloud service, such as iCloud or Google Drive .
  3. If you're using macOS Catalina or later, you can skip this step. If you're running macOS Mojave (10.14.6) or earlier, here's what you'll need to do before you continue:
    • Open iTunes . [8]
    • Click the Account menu and select Authorizations .
    • Click Deauthorize This Computer and confirm your Apple ID and password.
  4. Regardless of the version of macOS you're using, you will want to sign out of iCloud before you reformat your Mac: [9]
    • Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences .
    • Click Apple ID (Catalina or later) or iCloud (Mojave or earlier).
    • If you're using Mojave or later, click Overview in the sidebar.
    • Click Sign Out .
  5. Another place you'll need to log out is in the Messages app. Here's how: [10]
    • Open the Messages app.
    • Click the Messages menu and select Preferences .
    • Click iMessage and select Sign Out .
  6. The steps to reformat your Mac will be different depending on whether you have an Apple Silicon or Intel processor. If you are not sure what type of processor you have, use the following steps to figure it out: [11]
    • Click the Apple menu and select About this Mac .
    • Check for a line that begins with "Chip" and ends with a chip name, like Apple M1, M2, M3, M4, etc. If you see this, you have an Apple silicon processor.
    • If you don't see a "Chip" line, but do see a line beginning with "Processor" that includes an Intel processor name, you have an Intel processor.
  7. Since you'll need to boot into recovery mode, you'll want to start with a shut-down computer. Click the Apple menu and select Shut Down now.
  8. According to Ovsepyan, you can reformat your Mac using Disk Utility in Recovery Mode. [12] The way you boot into Recovery Mode is different depending on what type of processor your Mac has. Use one of the following steps to boot into Recovery Mode: [13]
    • Apple silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4): Press and hold the Power button until you see a hard drive with a gear. Click the gear, select Continue , and then sign in with your Apple ID if prompted.
    • Intel: Press the Power button once, and then press and hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo. If you're prompted to sign in, follow the on-screen instructions to do so.
  9. This is where you'll reformat your Mac. [14]
  10. It'll be under "Internal" in the left panel. [15]
    • If you changed the name of this drive, it will have the name you assigned it.
    • If you have an Apple silicon processor and have used Disk Utility to add volumes to your drive, you'll see other volumes under "Internal" (besides Macintosh HD). You should delete each of these volumes before you continue—select the volume and click the minus sign to do so.
      • Skip deleting other volumes now if you have an Intel processor—you'll do it later.
  11. It's at the top of the window.
  12. The recommended file system type is already selected from the "Format" menu, and it'll typically be APFS. If you have a reason to format it with another file system type, you can select that type from the menu.
  13. This starts reformatting your Mac.
    • If you have an Apple Silicon processor, click Erase Mac and Restart to continue.
    • If you have an Intel processor, you'll be given the chance to erase other volumes after erasing Macintosh HD. If any other volumes exist, select them and click the minus sign in the toolbar to delete them.
  14. Once you've formatted your Mac, the hard drive will be empty. If you want to reinstall macOS , follow these steps: [16]
    • Apple silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4): When your Mac restarts, choose your preferences and follow the on-screen instructions to connect to Wi-Fi for activation. Then, click Exit to Recovery Utilities , select Reinstall macOS , and click Continue to start the install.
    • Intel: Close Disk Utility, and then click Reinstall macOS on the menu. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How to format my laptop if I have forgotten my log in password?
    Community Answer
    If your laptop is running Windows 8 or higher, on boot, press and hold the F9 key on your keyboard. Eventually you'll enter Advanced Options, and then you can choose to reformat.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 21 Helpful 98
  • Question
    I want to backup my laptop before reformatting. Can I do an internal backup or does it have to be external?
    Community Answer
    It must be external as the system reserved partition is read only after the OS writes to it. Also the system reserved partition is normally clear of a letter path (for example C:).
    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 21 Helpful 62
  • Question
    How do I fix a black screened laptop?
    Community Answer
    If it's the physical screen, see if your manufacturer can source a new one or send it for repairs. If it's a boot error, you should probably reinstall Windows.
    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
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      References

      1. ↑ Spike Baron. Network Engineer & Desktop Support. Expert Interview
      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/reset-your-pc-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/give-your-pc-a-fresh-start-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e#ID0EBD=Windows_10
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/give-your-pc-a-fresh-start-0ef73740-b927-549b-b7c9-e6f2b48d275e#ID0EBD=Windows_10
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-recovery-environment-0eb14733-6301-41cb-8d26-06a12b42770b
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102664
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102773
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104958
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/messages/set-up-messages-on-mac-ichte16154fb/mac
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655
      3. ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Back up your hard drive.
      2. Plug in your laptop.
      3. Open your Windows Settings.
      4. Click Update & security .
      5. Click Recovery .
      6. Click Get started .
      7. Click Remove everything .
      8. Click Change settings and turn on the switch.
      9. Click Confirm .
      10. Follow the on-screen instructions.

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