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To reset your laptop, back up your files, plug the device into a power source, and use the built-in recovery options. For Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. For a Mac, restart and hold Command + R to access macOS Recovery.
Resetting Windows 10 or 11
- Prepare: Back up all necessary personal files, as resetting will wipe your drive if you choose “Remove everything”.
- Open Settings: Click the Start Menu and select Settings (gear icon).
- Navigate to Recovery: Go to System (or Update & Security in Windows 10) and click Recovery.
- Start Reset: Click Reset PC (or Get started in Windows 10).
- Select Options:
- Keep my files: Removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files.
- Remove everything: Completely wipes all personal files, apps, and settings.
- Reinstall: Choose between Cloud download (uses more data but is fresh from Microsoft) or Local reinstall.
Resetting a MacBook
- Back Up: Ensure all data you need is saved or backed up via Time Machine.
- Sign Out: Sign out of iCloud (or your Apple Account) in System Settings.
- Enter Recovery Mode: Shut down your Mac. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R (Intel Macs) or press and hold the power button until you see startup options (Apple Silicon Macs).
- Erase the Drive: In the utility window, select Disk Utility, click Continue, and erase your main drive using the APFS format.
- Reinstall macOS: Exit Disk Utility and select Reinstall macOS on the main recovery window.
Resetting a Chromebook
- Sign Out: Click your account photo in the bottom right corner of the screen and sign out.
- Access Powerwash: Click on Settings (gear icon) > Advanced > Reset settings.
- Confirm: Next to “Powerwash,” click Restart.
- Confirm Reset: A box will appear; select Powerwash > Continue.
Pro Tip
Before resetting, check whether your slowdown is actually a software problem at all. If your laptop is running hot, the fan is unusually loud, or the screen shows discoloration, a reset will not fix any of these, since they are hardware issues rather than software ones.
Reset vs Format vs Reformat: What Is the Difference
These three terms often get used as if they mean the same thing, but they describe different processes.
| Reset | Format | Reformat |
| Uses built-in recovery | Requires installation media | Repeats a manual format |
| Fast | More advanced | Same process again |
| Good for software issues | Good for clean installations | Good for reinstalling Windows/macOS |
- A reset uses a hidden recovery partition built into the laptop to restore it automatically to its original state, keeping the manufacturer’s preinstalled operating system
- Formatting means preparing a drive from scratch using installation media, giving you full manual control over the operating system, drivers, and software you install afterward
- Reformatting describes repeating that same manual formatting process again on a drive that already has an operating system installed
If you want full manual control over your installation, such as removing manufacturer bloatware entirely or setting up a brand new drive, our guides on how to format a laptop and how to reformat a laptop cover that manual process step by step. For most everyday slowdowns, the built in reset covered in this guide is simpler and faster.
Before You Start: The Full Backup Checklist
A reset removes your personal files along with the software causing problems, so prepare in advance.
- Copy documents, photos, and important files to an external drive or cloud storage
- Write down license keys for any paid software you will need to reinstall afterward
- Note your Microsoft account or Apple ID login details, since you will need them again after the reset completes
- Export browser bookmarks and saved passwords if they are not already syncing through an account
- Make a note of any Wi-Fi network passwords you rely on regularly, since these are also cleared during a reset
- Confirm your laptop is plugged into power throughout, since a reset that loses power part way through can cause serious problems
- If the laptop is a work device, check with your IT department first, since domain joined or company managed laptops often have separate reset procedures
How to Reset a Windows Laptop
- Open Settings and go to System, then Recovery
- Under Reset This PC, click Reset PC
- Keep My Files preserves your personal documents, photos, and other user files, but removes installed apps, drivers that are not included with Windows, and system settings. Remove Everything erases all personal files as well, making it the better choice before selling or donating a laptop.
- Choose Local Reinstall for a faster reset using files already on the laptop, or Cloud Download if the local files seem damaged or missing
- On the next screen, click Change Settings to review additional options, including whether to clean the drive thoroughly, which takes longer but is recommended if you plan to sell or give away the laptop
- Follow the remaining prompts and allow the laptop to restart several times during the process
Once complete, Windows boots into the initial setup screen, ready to be configured again from scratch. Afterward, reconnect your accessories, and our guide on how to connect AirPods to a laptop covers pairing Bluetooth audio devices in just a few steps.
Resetting a Windows Laptop That Will Not Start Normally
If the laptop will not boot into Windows at all, you can still reach the reset option through Advanced Startup.
- Turn the laptop off completely
- Turn it on, then hold the power button as soon as you see any sign of startup to force it off again, and repeat this two or three times until Windows automatically enters the Recovery environment
- Choose Troubleshoot, then Reset This PC, and follow the same prompts as the standard process above
If the laptop uses BitLocker encryption, you may be asked for a recovery key during this process, so it is worth locating that key beforehand if you know your device has encryption enabled.
How to Reset a Mac
The exact process depends on whether your Mac has an Apple silicon chip or a T2 security chip, since these models support a much simpler in system option.
Newer Macs With Apple Silicon or a T2 Chip
- Open System Settings
- Go to General, then Transfer or Reset
- Click Erase All Content and Settings
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted to confirm the reset
- Follow the remaining prompts and allow the Mac to restart automatically once finished
Older Intel Macs Without This Option
Older Intel based Macs that do not have a T2 chip will not show Erase All Content and Settings, and need to be reset through macOS Recovery instead.
- Shut the Mac down completely
- Turn it on and immediately hold Command and R until the Apple logo appears, entering macOS Recovery
- Open Disk Utility, select your main drive, and click Erase
- Close Disk Utility, then choose Reinstall macOS and follow the prompts to install a fresh copy of the operating system
If your Mac will not accept your password before resetting, our dedicated guide on factory reset a MacBook Pro without a password covers that specific situation using recovery mode instead.
Preparing a Laptop for Resale or Handover
Once you choose the thorough erase option, recovering personal files is extremely difficult. Double-check your backups before confirming the reset.
- Sign out of iCloud, Find My, or your Microsoft account completely before resetting, since a device still linked to your account can remain locked to the next owner
- On Windows, disconnect the laptop from your Microsoft account under Settings, Accounts, before starting the reset
- Choose the thorough data cleaning option during setup rather than the quick option, since a thorough wipe makes recovering old files significantly harder
- Remove any physical accessories, chargers, or documentation you plan to include separately, so nothing is left behind on the device itself
What to Expect During the Reset Process
- Most Windows laptops complete a reset in 30 to 90 minutes, while newer Macs using Erase All Content and Settings often finish within 20 to 45 minutes, depending on storage size and the reset option selected., depending on whether you choose a quick or thorough option and how much data was previously stored
- Expect the laptop to restart automatically several times, which is completely normal and should not be interrupted
- A progress percentage is usually shown on screen throughout, though it can appear to pause at certain points for several minutes without indicating a problem
Common Errors During a Reset and How to Fix Them
Stuck at a Specific Percentage for a Long Time
This is usually normal, particularly around common pause points, and simply requires patience rather than restarting the process. Only intervene if the laptop shows no activity at all for well over an hour.
There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC
On Windows, this error often means a system file needed for the reset is missing or corrupted. Trying the Cloud Download option instead of Local Reinstall usually resolves it, since it downloads fresh files directly from Microsoft rather than relying on files already on the laptop.
The Reset Will Not Start at All
Confirm the laptop is plugged into power, since some systems block the process on battery alone if the charge is too low. Also confirm there is enough free storage space, since a reset needs room to temporarily store files during the process.
After Resetting Your Laptop
- Expect several restarts during setup, which is completely normal
- Run all available system updates immediately after setup completes, since the reinstalled operating system will be missing months or years of accumulated updates
- Reinstall any software you noted down before starting, since none of your previous applications carry over
- Reinstall or reactivate antivirus software promptly, particularly before reconnecting to public Wi-Fi networks
- Reconnect peripherals and accessories one at a time to confirm everything is working correctly
If your work regularly moves between a laptop and other devices, it is also worth checking how to check laptop specs after a reset, particularly if you are unsure whether an older laptop can still comfortably handle current software.
When a Reset Will Not Fix the Problem
A reset addresses software issues only. If your laptop is overheating, running an unusually loud fan, or showing discoloration on the screen, resetting the operating system will not help. Our guides on fixing laptop overheating and why your laptop screen is green cover those hardware related problems separately.
Resetting Multiple Laptops for a Business or Team
Businesses returning or reassigning laptops across a team often need to reset several devices at once, and IT departments typically want a consistent, repeatable process across every unit rather than resetting each one differently. Documenting the exact reset steps, backup checklist, and post reset software list used in this guide can serve as a simple internal standard for that kind of rollout.
When to Consider Renting Instead of Resetting
If your laptop is several years old and still struggles even immediately after a clean reset, the hardware itself may simply be the limiting factor rather than anything fixable through software. For short term projects, events, or office setups across Dubai and the wider UAE, our laptop rental Dubai service supplies devices that arrive properly configured and ready to use immediately, without the time investment of resetting or rebuilding an aging machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does resetting a laptop delete everything?
It depends on the option you choose. Windows lets you keep personal files while removing apps and settings, or remove everything for a completely clean laptop. Mac’s Erase All Content and Settings removes everything by default.
Is resetting the same as formatting a laptop?
No. A reset uses a built in recovery partition to restore the laptop automatically, while formatting requires installation media and gives you full manual control over the operating system and drivers afterward.
Can I stop a laptop reset once it has started?
It is not recommended. Interrupting a reset by turning off the laptop or disconnecting power can corrupt the operating system and leave the device unable to boot properly. If the reset appears paused, wait until there has been no activity for an extended period before considering troubleshooting.
Do I need a USB drive to reset a laptop?
No. Resetting works directly from the laptop’s own built in recovery tools, unlike manual formatting, which does require installation media, except in cases where the built in recovery partition itself has been damaged or removed.
Will resetting fix a laptop that overheats or runs loudly?
No. Resetting only addresses software problems. Overheating, loud fan noise, and screen discoloration are hardware issues that a reset cannot resolve.
What should I do before resetting my laptop?
Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage, note down any software license keys, sign out of your account services, and confirm your login details before starting, since a reset removes personal data and installed software.
Why does my Mac not show Erase All Content and Settings?
This option is only available on newer Macs with Apple silicon or a T2 security chip. Older Intel Macs without this chip need to be reset manually through macOS Recovery using Disk Utility instead.
How long does resetting a laptop usually take?
Typically between twenty minutes and just over an hour, depending on whether you choose a quick or thorough reset and how much data was previously stored on the device.
Do I need to be connected to the internet to reset a laptop?
For most standard resets, no, since the process uses files already stored on the laptop. However, Cloud Download options on Windows and certain macOS Recovery steps do require an internet connection.
