Sometimes, resetting Windows feels like the ultimate fix-all — when your PC’s acting up, freezing randomly, or just running painfully slow, and nothing else seems to get it done. And honestly, it’s kind of weird how the reset option is tucked away in all sorts of menus, making you wonder why Microsoft makes it so hard to find sometimes. But once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty straightforward, and can really give your system a fresh start without the hassle of wiping everything manually. Just be prepared to back up your stuff — because, of course, Windows has to make it slightly more complicated than it should be. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing, and on some setups, it can fix issues that you’ve tried everything else for.
How to Fix Windows Reset Issues or Just Run the Reset Properly
Method 1: Using Built-in Reset Options (Most straightforward way)
This method applies when you just want to reset your PC through Windows itself, especially if everything’s still somewhat responsive. It’s what most people try first, and it’s usually fine if your system isn’t totally borked. When you choose to reset, it’ll give you options to keep or wipe your files, which is nice. Expect the process to take anywhere from 20 mins to a couple hours depending on hardware and messiness.
- Head over to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Look for the “Reset this PC” section.
- Click Get Started. On some setups, clicking that refreshes and then hangs; on others, it works immediately. Depends on the day, the hardware, or maybe how Windows is feeling.
- Pick “Keep my files” if you wanna try fixing errors without losing everything. Or “Remove everything” if you’re pretty sure it’s time for a fresh start. Just remember: the latter wipes pretty much all your data and apps.
Once you’ve made your choice, Windows kicks off the reset routine, then reboots. It’s kinda weird how sometimes it gets stuck on “Preparing to Reset” for ages, especially if you have a bunch of external drives or peripherals connected. Disconnect anything unnecessary beforehand — let Windows breathe. After that, just wait and hope for the best. Sometimes it works on the first try, other times you have to restart the whole process or run it again from recovery options.
Method 2: Resetting from Windows Recovery Environment (Advanced, but sometimes needed)
If the normal reset is failing or hanging, boot into Windows Recovery Mode—sometimes called WinRE. It’s a little hidden, but it’s a godsend when your system refuses to reset normally. To get there, restart your PC and hold Shift + Restart while clicking on “Restart” from the login or power menu. Or, reboot multiple times forcing shutdowns until Windows offers recovery options.
- Once in recovery, go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. From here, the process is similar, but you’ll get more recovery options that might bypass the normal hang-ups.
- If that fails, try using a Windows 10/11 installation media (USB or DVD).Boot from that, then choose Repair your computer at the setup screen, navigate to troubleshooting, and run a reset or recovery from there. This often clears stubborn corruption and can fix the reset process if the OS in itself is bugging out.
This approach is useful because you’re doing a more “low-level” reset that might ignore issues caused by corrupted operating system files. No promises, but it’s worth a shot if regular methods fail.
Method 3: Command-line Reset – When GUI fails
Okay, this is kind of a last resort. If the reset menu refuses to do its thing, or you’re troubleshooting, you can try resetting via Command Prompt or PowerShell. Not for the faint of heart, but on a techy level, it’s pretty powerful.
- Boot into Recovery Mode again, or access via USB media.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
- Run the command:
systemreset -factoryreset
In some cases, this command will launch the reset process directly. If it doesn’t work, or throws errors, check your system files using commands like sfc /scannow or DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth first. Sometimes corrupt OS files just break the entire reset process.
Extra Tips & Cautions
- Always, always, always back up your important files before attempting any reset. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially since choosing “Remove everything” really nukes your data.
- Make sure your device is plugged in — losing power mid-reset can brick your system, and that’s just a headache nobody wants.
- If you see errors during reset, note down error codes, then look them up. Sometimes, hardware issues like bad RAM or SSDs can cause resets to hang or fail.
- Clean out external drives, printers, or other peripherals connected. Some of those can interfere with the reset process, especially if Windows tries to include or exclude certain drivers when resetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a reset normally take?
Usually 20 mins to a couple of hours, depending on system specs, drive speed, and whether it’s a full wipe or just trying to fix things. Patience is key.
Will I lose my personal files if I choose “Remove everything”?
Yeah. That wipes your entire drive — apps, settings, everything. Only do this if you’re sure you’ve backed everything up.
Should I reinstall Windows after a reset?
Nope. The reset process takes care of that. It reinstall Windows for you, ideally in a cleaner state.
What if I need to stop the reset?
It’s risky, and it can mess things up a lot. Best to let it finish unless it’s truly hanging indefinitely—then you might need recovery options or reinstall media.
Is resetting the same as reinstalling from scratch?
Not quite. Resetting keeps some system files or reinstalls Windows, but it’s designed to be quick and user-friendly. Full reinstallation using a media tool wipes everything and starts fresh.
Summary
- Back up your data first — it’s always safer.
- Access reset via Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
- If needed, try recovery environment or boot from media.
- Be patient during the process, some resets are slow or glitchy.
- Remember, disconnect peripherals to prevent interference.
Wrap-up
Resetting Windows isn’t perfect, but it’s a decent go-to when nothing else works. The process can be a bit finicky and sometimes downright annoying, but at the end of the day, it can breathe new life into a stubborn machine. Just make sure to back up first, and probably avoid doing it right before an urgent deadline. Sometimes, you gotta dance with the quirks of Windows to get things back on track. Fingers crossed this helps settle those stubborn issues or at least points in the right direction.