To factory reset Windows 10 without a password, start from the sign-in screen. Click the Power icon in the bottom-right corner, hold Shift, and click Restart. When the blue Choose an option screen appears, click Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything, then follow the prompts. This erases all files, apps, and accounts on the PC and reinstalls Windows 10, so you can set it up again with a new account.
Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps still work on Windows 10, but upgrading to Windows 11 is the long-term way to keep getting security fixes.
Before resetting, try recovering your password, since a reset deletes everything stored only on the PC. Here’s how to do both.
Try this first: reset your password
- Microsoft account: Click I forgot my password on the sign-in screen, or reset it at account.live.com/password/reset from another device.
- Local account: Enter a wrong password once, click Reset password, and answer your security questions.
- Another admin account: Sign in with it and reset the locked account’s password.
See how to reset a Windows password for full steps.
How to factory reset from the sign-in screen
- On the sign-in screen, click the Power icon.
- Hold Shift and click Restart. Keep holding Shift until the blue menu appears.
- Click Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC.
- Choose Remove everything. (Keep my files asks for an administrator password.)
- Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall.
- If asked, choose Fully clean the drive when giving the PC away, or Just remove my files to keep it.
- Click Reset and wait. The PC restarts several times.
If you’re asked for a BitLocker recovery key
If the drive is encrypted, Windows may ask for a 48-digit recovery key. Find it at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey using the Microsoft account linked to the PC, or check any printed or saved copy. Without it, you’ll need to reinstall Windows from a USB drive and delete the drive’s partitions.
If you can’t reach the sign-in screen
- Turn the PC on and off three times during startup to open Automatic Repair, then choose Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Or on another computer, create a Windows installation USB with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, boot from it, and do a clean install.
Choices you’ll see during the reset
| Screen | Pick this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keep my files or Remove everything | Remove everything | “Keep my files” still needs an account you can sign in to afterward |
| Cloud download or Local reinstall | Cloud download if you have internet | It downloads a fresh copy of Windows and works even if local files are damaged |
| Clean data (under Change settings) | On, if you’re selling or giving the PC away | It overwrites the drive so old files are hard to recover; it adds hours |
Using your PC maker’s recovery instead
Many brand-name PCs have their own recovery option at startup, such as Lenovo’s Novo button or HP’s recovery menu, which can restore the original factory image. See factory resetting a Lenovo laptop without a password and factory resetting an HP Stream laptop. For the full Settings-based reset when you can sign in, follow restoring Windows 10 to factory settings.
After the reset
- Set up Windows with a new account.
- If Windows was activated before, it reactivates automatically when connected to the internet.
- Restore files from any backup, like OneDrive or an external drive.
Related: Restore Windows 10 to factory settings.
Related: Get back into a locked Toshiba laptop.
Frequently asked questions
Will a factory reset remove the password?
Yes. It removes all user accounts, so you create a new one during setup.
Can I keep my files without a password?
No. Keep my files requires an administrator password. If files are backed up to OneDrive, you can get them back after resetting.
Is this legal on a used computer?
Yes, on a PC you own. Don’t reset or access computers that belong to someone else.
How long does it take?
Usually 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the drive and whether you clean it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.