You generally should not rely on Command Prompt to factory reset a Windows PC. Microsoft documents the reset process through Reset this PC in Settings or Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE); Command Prompt is a separate advanced recovery tool. The command systemreset -factoryreset is not established as compatible across Windows builds, so use the supported reset flow below instead.
What a Windows factory reset does
Microsoft describes the process plainly: “Resetting your PC reinstalls Windows.” The option you choose determines whether personal files remain. A standard Windows reset is not necessarily the same as restoring a computer to its original manufacturer state: an OEM recovery image may also restore hardware-specific drivers or preinstalled apps. Microsoft’s Reset your PC guide explains the built-in reset choices.
Keep my files
This option reinstalls Windows and keeps personal files, while removing installed apps and settings. It is not a substitute for a backup.
Remove everything
This option removes personal files as well as apps and settings before reinstalling Windows. Choose it when preparing a PC for transfer or sale only after backing up anything you need.
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Before you start
- Back up important files. Verify that the backup opens and contains what you expect before resetting. Do not assume a recovery drive or Windows installation media contains your personal files.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key. If device encryption or BitLocker is enabled, have the recovery key available in case Windows asks for it during recovery.
- Keep the PC connected to power and allow the reset to finish without interruption.
- Decide whether you need an ordinary Windows reset or the manufacturer’s recovery image. The latter may restore OEM drivers and apps that a standard reset does not necessarily include.
Reset from Windows Settings
Use Settings when Windows starts and you can sign in. The menu names differ by Windows version.
- Open the reset page. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get started.
- Choose what to keep. Select Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Choose the reinstall source. Select Cloud download or Local reinstall, then review the prompts. Cloud download retrieves Windows installation files and needs an internet connection. Local reinstall uses files already on the PC; if those files are corrupted or missing, it may not work as intended.
- Review the final settings and start the reset. Confirm the displayed choices before proceeding. Do not turn off or manually restart the PC while the reset is underway.
Reset when Windows will not start
If you cannot reach Settings, use Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Choose the reset options and follow the on-screen prompts. Microsoft documents these recovery routes in its Windows recovery options.
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Ways to enter Windows RE include holding Shift while selecting Power > Restart from the sign-in screen or Start menu, using a device-specific recovery button, or starting from a recovery drive or Windows installation media. Windows RE may also appear automatically after repeated failed starts. Once there, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Can Command Prompt run the reset?
Command Prompt is available as an advanced troubleshooting option in Windows RE, but Microsoft lists it separately from Reset this PC. Do not assume that entering systemreset -factoryreset will launch a reset on your computer. A Microsoft Learn Q&A user reported that the command was unrecognized on their Windows 11 system; that individual report does not establish how it behaves across Windows versions or builds. Microsoft’s recovery-options documentation does not present it as the general reset procedure. Use Settings or Troubleshoot > Reset this PC instead.
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Cloud download, local reinstall, and external media
| Option | How it works | When it may help |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud download | Downloads Windows installation files; requires internet access. | When you want a fresh download or suspect the PC’s local installation files are damaged. |
| Local reinstall | Uses Windows files already on the PC; no download is required for the installation files. | When local files are usable and you prefer not to download Windows. |
| Recovery drive or installation media | Bootable external media used to access recovery or reinstall Windows when built-in recovery is unavailable. | As a fallback, not a requirement for the ordinary Settings reset. |
A recovery drive is not a backup of personal files. Creating one erases the selected USB drive, so copy off anything on it first. Microsoft says Windows installation media can be created on a USB drive of at least 8 GB. See Create a recovery drive and Windows recovery options for the relevant media guidance.
What “Clean data” means
When offered with Remove everything, the Clean data option is intended to make removed files harder for another person to recover. Microsoft says this consumer feature does not meet government or industry data-erasure standards. Do not treat it as certified sanitization or a guarantee that data is unrecoverable.
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While the reset is running
The screen can remain black for a prolonged period; Microsoft says this can occasionally last upwards of 15 minutes. That is a warning about a possible black-screen interval, not a promised total reset time. Do not manually restart the PC during this period: interrupting the reset could cause it to fail.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. A PC running Windows 10 can still work, but Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for it. A reset reinstalls Windows; it does not change that support status.
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