How to Reset a Laptop in 2026

A laptop reset is either a repair reinstall or a full wipe. Pick the wrong one and you erase more than you meant to or leave the problem in place. Use the current reset path for your laptop first, then move to recovery media when the normal reset screen is unavailable.

1. Choose the reset that fits the job

1. 1.Choose Keep my files on Windows to reinstall Windows without removing personal files.
2. 2.Choose Remove everything on Windows to remove files, apps, and settings.
3. 3.Choose Erase All Content and Settings on a supported Mac to use Apple's erase path.
4. 4.Choose Powerwash on a personal Chromebook to factory reset ChromeOS.
5. 5.Choose Repair my PC, Reinstall macOS, or Recover using internet connection when the laptop will not start normally.

The erase and remove-everything paths remove data, so stop at the confirmation screen unless the files you want are saved elsewhere.

2. Reset Windows 11 from Settings

On a Windows 11 laptop that starts normally, open Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Recovery options > Reset PC. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything, then choose Cloud download or Local reinstall and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Open Windows Recovery when startup fails

This gets you to Reset this PC without loading Windows.

1. 1.Hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
2. 2.Turn on the laptop, then press and hold the power button when the Windows logo or manufacturer logo appears. Repeat once, turn it on a third time, then select Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
3. 3.On a Windows laptop with a manufacturer recovery button or recovery key combination, use it to enter Windows Recovery Environment, then choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

4. Repair Windows 11 without wiping

For a repair reinstall that preserves apps, files, and settings, open Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now. Choose the automatic restart option, select OK, then use Restart now when Windows shows it. This reinstalls the current version of Windows 11; it is not a factory reset. If Fix problems using Windows Update is not there, the laptop is likely managed by a work or school, has its updates handled by Autopatch, the deployment service, or Windows update policies, or is running something older than Windows 11 with the 2022 annual update plus the February 2024 optional update.

5. Build Windows installation media

1. 1.On a working PC, open the official Download Windows 11 page.
2. 2.Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now.
3. 3.Run MediaCreationTool.exe to create USB or ISO installation media. Microsoft says the media creation tool cannot build media for Arm-based PCs and only creates media for x64 processors, so for an Arm laptop use the Windows 11 ISOs for Arm64 devices link on that same download page instead.
4. 4.To repair a laptop that will not start, boot from the media, choose language and preferences, select Next, then select Repair my PC and use the Windows Recovery Environment reset or reinstall options.
5. 5.To reinstall while Windows still runs, connect the media, open File Explorer, select the installation-media drive, open setup.exe, select Yes, select Change what to keep, choose Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or Keep nothing, then select Next > Install.
6. 6.For a clean install, boot the target laptop from the installation media, choose language and keyboard settings in Windows Setup, select Next, then continue through the installation and partition choices.

A clean install removes personal files, apps, OEM customizations, and Settings changes.

6. Erase a Mac laptop

1. 1.On macOS Ventura 13 or later with Apple silicon or an Intel Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. On macOS Monterey 12, open Apple menu > System Preferences, then choose Erase All Content and Settings from the System Preferences menu in the menu bar. Apple supports the feature on macOS Monterey 12 or later only, and only on those Macs.
2. 2.In Erase Assistant, enter administrator information and click Unlock.
3. 3.Review the items that will be removed, click Continue, then follow the on-screen instructions.
4. 4.If Erase Assistant says other volumes must be erased and the Mac uses Boot Camp, use Boot Camp Assistant to remove Windows and its partition, then run Erase All Content and Settings again.
5. 5.On an Apple silicon Mac that needs recovery, turn off the Mac, hold the power button until Loading startup options or Options appears, choose Options > Continue, then select Disk Utility > Continue.
6. 6.Select Macintosh HD, click Erase, set Name to Macintosh HD and Format to APFS, click Erase or Erase Volume Group, then select Reinstall macOS > Continue.

7. Reinstall macOS without erasing

To repair macOS without removing apps or personal data, start from macOS Recovery and select Reinstall macOS > Continue. On Apple silicon, turn off the Mac, press and hold the power button until startup options appear, then select Options > Continue. On Intel, press and release the power button, then immediately hold Command-R until the Apple logo or spinning globe appears; if macOS asks you to choose a volume, select Macintosh HD.

8. Powerwash a Chromebook

This returns a personal Chromebook to a ChromeOS factory-reset state.

1. 1.Select Sign out on the Chromebook.
2. 2.Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r.
3. 3.Select Restart.
4. 4.In the box that appears, select Powerwash, then Continue.
5. 5.Follow the on-screen steps and sign in with your Google Account.

9. Use brand or admin recovery

1. 1.For a managed Windows laptop in Intune, open Microsoft Intune admin center > Devices > All devices, select the device, select Wipe, configure the available wipe options, then select Wipe again to confirm.
2. 2.For a managed Windows laptop where the organization allows user reset, sign in to the Company Portal website, open Menu > Devices, select the laptop, select Reset, or open More if Reset is hidden, then select Reset to confirm.
3. 3.For a supported Dell system, open SupportAssist OS Recovery, click Start Reset on the Reset tile, then choose Reset to factory settings or Reset and update when that option appears.
4. 4.For a Lenovo IdeaPad or idea model with a Novo button, power off the PC, press the Novo button, then choose System Recovery > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
5. 5.For a supported HP PC made in 2016 or later, install HP Cloud Recovery Tool, create HP recovery media on a USB flash drive, boot the HP PC from that USB, and follow the recovery prompts.
6. 6.For a lost Mac with Find My enabled, open Find My > Devices, select the Mac, then choose Erase or Erase This Device. From the web, sign in to iCloud Find Devices, select the Mac, choose Erase This Device, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chromebook Safety Reset change?

Safety Reset returns Chrome settings, Chrome shortcuts, and your network and input settings to safe defaults, disables extensions, and deletes cookies and other temporary site data, all without deleting local data and apps. Bookmarks, history, and saved passwords are not affected.

What do I need for Chromebook USB recovery?

Use another Chromebook, Windows PC, or Mac with Chrome, the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension, and a USB drive that is 8 GB or larger and ready to be erased.

Who resets a work or school Chromebook?

The administrator does. Google says work or school Chromebooks cannot be reset by the user.

What happens when a lost Mac is erased while offline?

Once the Mac has been erased, the erase cannot be undone. If the Mac is offline, the erase begins the next time it comes online, and if you find it before that happens you can cancel the pending request in Find Devices on iCloud.com with Stop Erase Request.