Simple Ways to Erase and Reset Your Computer So You Can Start Over

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An easy guide to making your computer feel new again with a wipe clean

Co-authored by Spike Baron and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 7, 2023 Fact Checked

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Windows 11-10

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Older Windows

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Mac

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If your computer is getting sluggish, it may be time for a clean start. Regularly wiping and reinstalling your operating system can keep your computer running smoothly for much longer than you would expect. You'll also want to wipe your computer if you plan on selling, gifting, or donating it. Keep a backup of your files so you don't lose everything when you wipe your computer clean. This wikiHow article teaches you how to wipe clean a computer and start over.

Things You Should Know

If you're using Windows 10-11, go to Update & Security to reset your computer to like-new settings.
If you have an installation disk, flash drive, or file for any version of Windows, use that to reinstall your OS and clean your drive.
If you're using Mac, start macOS Recovery and go to "Utility Disk" to clean your computer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Windows 11-10

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Press Win + I to open Settings on your computer. Alternatively, click the gear icon in the Start menu.
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Click Update & Security (Win 10) or System (Win 11). For Windows 10, you'll see the option centered near the bottom of the menu. In Windows 11, this option will be in the menu on the left side of the window.
- If you're using an older version of Windows 10, a version older than 2004, you'll need to click "Windows Defender" instead to start "Fresh Start." Once you've navigated to Windows Defender, go to Device performance & health > Additional info (under Fresh Start) > Get Started. Using an older version of Windows comes with security and compatibility risks, so keep Windows updated.
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Windows 10 has an
icon while Windows 11 shows you an icon that looks like a hard drive with a refresh arrow on top of it.
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Click Reset this PC (Windows 10 only). Users with Windows 11 will see a "Reset this PC" section and don't have to click anything to expand that menu.
- Skip this step if you're using Windows 11.
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Click Get Started (Win 10) or Reset PC (Win 11). Select "Keep My Files" if you don't have a backup that you'd like to use. Follow any other on-screen prompts, then wait for the wipe process to initialize.^{[1]
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- Your computer will restart once the process is completed.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Older Windows

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1
Obtain or create a Windows installation disc or USB drive. The easiest way to wipe your computer and start over is to use a Windows installation disc or USB drive.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support

Expert Interview. 9 January 2019.} This will need to be the same version of Windows that you currently have installed. For example, if you use Windows 7 you'll need a Windows 7 installation disc. You can either use the disc that came with your computer, or you can create one yourself. You'll need a blank DVD or a USB drive with at least 4 GB of storage:
- Windows 7 - Use your product key to download the ISO file from Microsoft. Then download the Windows DVD/USB Download Tool to create an installation DVD or USB drive using the ISO file that you just downloaded.
- Windows 8 - Visit the Microsoft Windows 8.1 download page and click the "Create media" button. Run the tool and follow the prompts to download and create an installation DVD or USB drive.^{[3]
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- Windows 10 - Visit the Windows 10 download page and click the "Download tool now" button. Follow the prompts in the tool to download the Windows 10 files and create an installation DVD or USB drive.
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Back up any files that you want to save. When you wipe your computer and reinstall Windows, all of the files on the drive will be erased. Make sure that you save any important files to another location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service. Any programs that you have will need to be reinstalled after you're finished.
- See How to Back Up Data for instructions on backing up your important files.
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Boot from the installation disc or USB drive. After everything important has been backed up, you're ready to start the wipe and reinstallation process. You'll be booting your computer from the installation disc or drive instead of your hard drive. You'll need to set your computer to boot from the installation disc or drive that you just created. The process is different depending on if your computer came installed with Windows 7 or earlier or with Windows 8 or later (BIOS vs. UEFI).
- Windows 7 or earlier (BIOS) - Reboot your computer and then press the BIOS, Setup, or Boot key. This key will be displayed on the screen while your computer is booting before Windows loads. Typical keys include F2, F10, F11, or Del. Open the BOOT menu and set your DVD or USB drive to be the primary boot device.
- Windows 8 or later (UEFI) - Open the Start menu and right-click on the Power button. Hold down ⇧ Shift and click "Restart." Select "Troubleshoot" from the menu that appears, and then "Advanced options." Click the "UEFI Firmware Settings" button to open your UEFI menu. The Boot section of this menu will allow you to change the boot order so that your computer boots from the USB or DVD drive.
Press any key on your keyboard when prompted to load the Windows Setup program. It may take several minutes to load all of the necessary files.
Before installation begins, you'll be prompted to select your language preferences.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support

Expert Interview. 9 January 2019.} Click "Install now" to begin the installation after making your selection.
You'll be prompted for your Windows product key if you're installing Windows 8 or later. If you're installing Windows 7, you'll be asked for the product key after installation is complete. You can skip this step if you want to enter your product key later.
This will allow you to delete all of the data on your computer and start fresh.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support

Expert Interview. 9 January 2019.}
It will be listed as a "Primary" drive, and will usually be labeled with your Windows version.
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Click the "Drive options" button and then click "Delete." This will delete the partition and remove all of the data on the partition. It will be turned into "Unallocated space."^{[6]
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Expert Source

Matt Ham
Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
- You can repeat this for any other partitions that you want to remove and combine into your main one. Any data on these partitions will be deleted as well. Click "Extend" to combine block of unallocated space into a single partition.
- You can split your partition into multiple partitions if you want. This may be useful for file organization. Select the unallocated space and click "New" to create new partitions from the unallocated space. Just make sure the partition you intend to install Windows on is at least 20 GB in size.
This will begin the installation process for Windows. The copying and installation will take around 20 minutes.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Matt Ham
Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
After the files have finished copying, you'll be prompted to create your user account. This account will have administrator privileges. You'll also be prompted to enter a name for the computer. This is the name that will identify your computer on the network.
If you're installing Windows 7, you'll be prompted to enter your product key. You can skip this for now if you intend to enter your key later.
Most users should select the "Recommended" options to ensure that everything stays up to date and secure.
Your computer should automatically select the correct date and time, but you may have to make manual adjustments.
Choose the type of network that best matches your environment. This will affect your network security and sharing settings.
After selecting your network type, you'll be taken to the Windows desktop. If you didn't enter your product key earlier, you'll be prompted for it now.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mac

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When you reinstall OS X, all of your files will be deleted. Make sure you copy all of your important documents, pictures, videos, and other files to a safe location, such as external hard drive or cloud storage service. See How to Back Up Data for instructions on backing up your important files.
If you have an Apple Silicon processor (Macs from 2020 and newer), press and hold the "Power" button on your Mac, then click Options > Continue. For Macs with Intel chips (Macs older than 2020), press and hold Cmd + R.^{[8]
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Select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. You may be prompted to select the network you want to connect to. If you don't have Wi-Fi, you'll need to connect via Ethernet. You'll need an internet connection to reinstall your OS.
- You can also click the Wi-Fi icon in the upper-right corner and select the network you want to use.
This will open a new window displaying all of the installed drives on your computer.
You can leave the settings that appear at their default and give the drive a new name if you'd like. Click "Erase" to confirm. Close Disk Utility once the erasing process is complete to return to the Recovery menu.
This will open the OS X installer. You will be notified that your computer will be verified with Apple.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Matt Ham
Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
You'll need to confirm that you accept this to proceed with the installation.
Choose the drive that you just erased in Disk Utility.
The installer will begin downloading the files necessary to install OS X. The time this takes will depend on your connection speed.
These should be selected correctly by default.
Select your wireless network and enter the password to connect to it. If you are connected via Ethernet, you won't be prompted to select a network.
You can restore a Time Machine backup or transfer files from a Windows PC. If you choose either of these, follow the prompts to transfer the files. To set up as a fresh computer, select "Don't transfer any information now."
This will give you access to the Mac Store and your iTunes purchases.
By default, OS X will use your Apple ID as your computer account. You can choose to create a local account instead.
You'll be taken through a few more minor setup screens before you are taken to your fresh desktop.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What is a partition?

Matt Ham
Computer Repair Specialist
Matt Ham is a Computer Repair Specialist and the CEO and President of Computer Repair Doctor. With over a decade of experience, Matt specializes in Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Smartphone repairs and upgrades. Matt holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. Matt has expanded Computer Repair Doctor to seven different locations. He is also a Co-Owner of Repair Life, a full-scale marketing agency specializing in driving both online and offline leads to cell phone and computer repair shops and device retailers.

Matt Ham

Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

It's like a built-in drive. You can create new partitions in Windows, or delete old ones. I would only mess around with them if you're following these steps to restore your system, though.

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Question

How do I access the boot menu?

Matt Ham
Computer Repair Specialist
Matt Ham is a Computer Repair Specialist and the CEO and President of Computer Repair Doctor. With over a decade of experience, Matt specializes in Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Smartphone repairs and upgrades. Matt holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. Matt has expanded Computer Repair Doctor to seven different locations. He is also a Co-Owner of Repair Life, a full-scale marketing agency specializing in driving both online and offline leads to cell phone and computer repair shops and device retailers.

Matt Ham

Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

When you're restarting the machine, it'll say something like "Press F12 to enter the boot menu." That's where you access the menu to restore your machine.

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Question

Is it worth hiring a pro to do this?

Matt Ham
Computer Repair Specialist
Matt Ham is a Computer Repair Specialist and the CEO and President of Computer Repair Doctor. With over a decade of experience, Matt specializes in Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Smartphone repairs and upgrades. Matt holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. Matt has expanded Computer Repair Doctor to seven different locations. He is also a Co-Owner of Repair Life, a full-scale marketing agency specializing in driving both online and offline leads to cell phone and computer repair shops and device retailers.

Matt Ham

Computer Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

If you feel comfortable messing around with your machine, then yes. This is definitely one of those things you can pay someone to do, and it shouldn't be a big deal for a pro to do it.

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Tips

Be aware that wiping your computer clean will also get rid of any installed apps. Some pre-installed apps might be redownloaded to your computer after the restart, and you'll need to manually download your other apps and programs to use them. You might also lose the licenses to some of those programs, like Adobe Photoshop.

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