How to perform a factory reset on a laptop

Sometimes, your laptop might encounter persistent issues that slow it down, cause errors, or make it unstable. A factory reset can be a powerful solution, essentially wiping the slate clean and returning your laptop to its original manufacturer settings. I’ve guided many users through this process, and while it’s effective for resolving many problems, it’s crucial to understand that all your personal data, installed applications, and settings will be erased. Therefore, backing up your important files before proceeding is absolutely essential. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to perform a factory reset on a laptop running either Windows or macOS in April 2025.

Crucial First Step: Back Up Your Data!

Before you do anything else, back up all your important files, documents, photos, videos, and any other data you want to keep. You can use an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, a cloud storage service, or your operating system’s built-in backup tools (like File History in Windows or Time Machine in macOS). This step cannot be emphasized enough – a factory reset is irreversible data loss if you haven’t backed up.

Step 1: Performing a Factory Reset on a Windows Laptop

Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer built-in options to perform a factory reset. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings:
   • Windows 10: Click on the Start Menu (Windows icon) and then click on the Settings icon (gear icon).
   • Windows 11: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Recovery:
   • Windows 10: Click on “Update & Security” and then select “Recovery” in the left-hand menu.
   • Windows 11: Click on “System” in the left-hand menu and then select “Recovery.”
3. Click “Get started” Under “Reset this PC”: You’ll see a section titled “Reset this PC.” Click the “Get started” button.
4. Choose Your Reset Option: You’ll be presented with two options:
   • Keep my files: This option will remove apps and settings, but keep your personal files. ¹ However, for a true factory reset, you’ll want the next option.   
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   • Remove everything: Select this option to perform a full factory reset. This will erase all your personal files, apps, and settings.
5. Choose How You Want to Reinstall Windows: You might be asked how you want to reinstall Windows:
   • Cloud download: Downloads the latest version of Windows from Microsoft’s servers. This requires an internet connection.
   • Local reinstall: Uses the existing Windows installation files on your laptop. Choose the option that suits you. Cloud download is generally recommended as it ensures you have the latest version.
6. Review the Settings and Click “Reset”: You’ll see a summary of what will happen. Carefully read the information and click the “Reset” button to begin the factory reset process.
7. Wait for the Reinstallation to Complete: Your laptop will restart several times during the factory reset process. This might take a significant amount of time, so be patient.
8. Go Through the Initial Setup: Once the reset is complete, your laptop will boot up as if it’s brand new. You’ll need to go through the initial Windows setup process, such as choosing your language, keyboard layout, and connecting to Wi-Fi.
9. Sign In or Create an Account: You’ll be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account or create a new one.

Step 2: Performing a Factory Reset on a macOS Laptop

The process for factory resetting a macOS laptop involves using the Recovery Mode.

1. Shut Down Your Mac: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “Shut Down…”
2. Boot into Recovery Mode: Turn your Mac back on and immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe:
   • Command (⌘) + R: Installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
   • Option + Command (⌘) + R: Upgrades to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.
   • Shift + Option + Command (⌘) + R: Installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. Choose the option that best suits your needs. For a true factory reset, the third option might be preferable.
3. Enter Your Password (If Prompted): You might be asked to enter your administrator password.
4. Open Disk Utility: In the macOS Utilities window, select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.”
5. Select Your Startup Disk: In the Disk Utility sidebar, select your startup disk (usually named “Macintosh HD”).
6. Click “Erase”: Click the “Erase” button in the toolbar.
7. Enter a Name and Choose a Format: Enter a name for your erased drive (you can use the default “Macintosh HD”). For the format, choose “APFS” (for newer Macs) or “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” (for older Macs). Click “Erase.”
8. Quit Disk Utility: Once the erasing process is complete, click “Done” and then quit Disk Utility by selecting “Quit Disk Utility” from the Disk Utility menu.
9. Install macOS: In the macOS Utilities window, select “Reinstall macOS” and click “Continue.” Follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system. Your Mac will restart several times during this process.
10. Go Through the Initial Setup: Once the installation is complete, your Mac will boot up as if it’s brand new. You’ll need to go through the initial macOS setup process.

Step 3: Post-Factory Reset Steps

After the factory reset is complete, you’ll need to set up your laptop again.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi: Follow the prompts to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Sign In or Create an Account: Sign in with your Microsoft account (for Windows) or Apple ID (for macOS).
3. Restore Your Data: If you created a backup (and you definitely should have!), follow the instructions for your chosen backup method to restore your personal files.
4. Reinstall Applications: You’ll need to reinstall all the applications you were using before the reset.

My Personal Insights on Factory Resets

I’ve performed factory resets on countless laptops over the years for various reasons, from troubleshooting stubborn software issues to preparing devices for new owners. It’s a powerful tool for bringing a laptop back to a clean state. Just remember that it’s a destructive process for your data if you haven’t backed up. Always take that crucial first step to safeguard your files. A factory reset can often make your laptop feel like new again, improving performance and resolving persistent problems.