# How to Factory Reset a MacBook or Windows PC

**URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-factory-reset-a-macbook-or-windows-pc/
**Author:** Ayushi Chauhan
**Published:** 2022-11-04
**Updated:** 2022-11-04
**Categories:** Blogs
**Tags:** Apple Guides, Blogs Daily, Computer Guides, Computers Tips and Tutorials, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding12, How To Guide, How To Guides, internet tips and tutorials, macbook guides, Originals How to, Software tips and tutorials, Tips, Tricks, Windows 11, Windows Tips
**Reading Time:** 4 min

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Today, In this article we will show you **how to Factory Reset a MacBook or Windows PC.** In general, Macs are dependable. But issues can arise with computers just like any other device. Try a factory reset, which completely deletes your computer and reinstalls a fresh copy of macOS, before you spend a lot of money on a new Mac.

A factory reset is the best approach to make sure that no data is left on your old computer and that it is ready for a new owner. On Macs with Intel processors, the procedure has remained consistent for years; however, the switch to Apple silicon has slightly changed how the OS is deleted and installed again. The only surefire way to fix many Windows issues is to perform a factory reset.

A reset is the most practical choice if your computer is significantly slower than it once was, you have malware on it that you can’t get rid of, or you want to sell it. You may factory reset a Windows laptop or desktop in a number different ways, depending on your configuration and the version of Windows that is installed. We mentioned below are the steps to Factory Reset a MacBook or Windows PC.

## Steps to Factory Reset a MacBook or Windows PC

### Factory Reset a MacBook

Hold** **down the **Command** and **R keys** on the keyboard and turn on the Mac. Let go when the Apple logo pops up.

Select your **language** and continue.

Choose **Disk Utility** and click **Continue**.

Choose your **startup disk** (named Macintosh HD by default) from the sidebar and click the **Erase button**.

After you’ve chosen a name for the disk once it’s erased, select** Mac OS Extended (Journaled)** from the dropdown menu and then click Erase. (If you want to encrypt your disc for extra security, choose the “Journaled, Encrypted” option. You’ll be prompted to create a password.) Choose **GUID Partition Map**.

Click **Erase **then** Done** and exit the window.

If you haven’t done this already,** connect to Wi-Fi** in the top right-hand corner, just like you usually would on your Mac.

From the main menu, choose **Reinstall macOS** and then click **Continue**.

Press **Continue**. A pop-up window will appear; choose **Continue **there, too.

Read the software license agreement and click** Agree**.

Choose your **boot disk **and click**Install.**

Wait** **for the first step of the installation to occur. (This is a good time to take a break and stretch your legs. Getting a sandwich is encouraged, but optional.)

The computer will **restart** and **continue installing**.

### Factory Reset Windows PC

**Click Settings**. If you have it pinned in the Start menu, find it there. If not, you can find it by searching in Windows.

**Scroll down to “Recovery”**in the System menu. Settings defaults to the System menu in Windows 11, so just scroll and click.

**Click “Reset PC”** next to the “Reset this PC option.”

**Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.** The former option will keep the files but remove programs and any changes to settings. The latter gets rid of everything, but note that a very determined person with file recovery software might be able to restore your files.

**Pick to reinstall Windows 11 PC.**You can choose to download Windows from the internet, or to use a recovery copy that’s already on your device.

Approve the settings and click**“Next.”**

**Click “Reset”** one last time to confirm.

## Final Words

That’s it with our article on how to Factory Reset a MacBook or Windows PC. Before giving a laptop away or taking it to be recycled, you must perform a complete factory reset in order to make it work a little faster. You should clean the laptop and give it a fresh start even if you’re giving it as a present to a friend or family member. It’s not always as simple to clean the laptop as it is to remove all of your apps, files, folders, and other personal information from the computer.

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