Colin FosterBy Colin Foster

Updated November 2026

Resetting an Asus laptop wipes the operating system and returns the machine close to its factory state, which is the fastest fix for persistent crashes, malware or a system you want to hand off. Windows 10 and Windows 11 both include a built-in reset that can keep your personal files or remove everything. This guide walks through how to reset an Asus laptop safely, and when a reset is the wrong tool.

Before You Reset: Confirm the Problem Needs a Reset

A full reset is heavy. Before starting, check whether a lighter fix will solve the issue. Run Windows Update, restart in Safe Mode, or use System Restore if you created a restore point earlier. Reach for a reset when the system is unstable after those steps, when you have malware that won’t clear, or when you are selling or giving away the machine.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Hp Pavilion Laptop 15 Cc5xx Review: Features and Performance.

How to Reset an Asus Laptop Using Windows Settings

This is the most common method and works when Windows still boots.

  1. Back up anything you cannot replace to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Plug the laptop into power. A reset that loses power partway through can corrupt the install.
  3. Open Settings > System > Recovery (on Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Recovery (on Windows 10).
  4. Select Reset this PC and choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
  5. Pick Cloud download for a fresh Windows image or Local reinstall to use the copy already on the drive. Cloud download is slower but gives a cleaner install.
  6. Confirm, then leave the laptop alone until the process finishes and restarts several times.

How to Reset an Asus Laptop When Windows Won’t Boot

If the laptop fails to start, use the Windows recovery environment. Power the machine off, then press the power button and interrupt the boot sequence three times. On the Automatic Repair screen, choose Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Asus models also commonly support a dedicated recovery key, usually F9, during startup. The exact key varies by model, so check the label on your laptop or the Asus support page for your serial number.

Factory Reset Methods and Their Trade-Offs

Method Keeps Personal Files Needs Internet Best For
Reset this PC (Keep my files) Yes Only for cloud download Fixing software problems
Reset this PC (Remove everything) No Only for cloud download Selling or repurposing the laptop
Asus recovery partition (F9) No No Restoring the original factory image

Owners often report that the recovery partition restores the software the laptop shipped with, including preinstalled drivers, which can be useful if you want an unaltered setup.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the backup. “Keep my files” can still lose apps and settings.
  • Unplugging the charger mid-reset, which may corrupt the installation.
  • Assuming a reset removes all data. If you sell the laptop, use “Remove everything” and consider a drive wipe.
  • Ignoring BitLocker. If encryption is on, save your recovery key first or you may get locked out.
  • Resetting for a problem a driver update or Windows update would fix.

An external USB drive gives you a place to store backups before the reset. View on Amazon works well for smaller document and photo backups.

A USB recovery drive lets you boot into Windows recovery if the internal drive fails. View on Amazon is a practical choice for this purpose.

FAQ

Does resetting an Asus laptop delete everything?

It depends on your choice. “Remove everything” erases files and apps, while “Keep my files” preserves personal documents but removes installed programs.

How long does an Asus laptop reset take?

Most resets take between 30 minutes and a couple of hours, depending on whether you use cloud download and the speed of your drive.

Will resetting remove viruses?

A full “Remove everything” reset typically removes malware from the system drive, but back up files carefully and scan them afterward.

Conclusion

To reset an Asus laptop, start with a backup, then use Reset this PC from Windows settings or the recovery environment if Windows won’t start. Choose “Keep my files” for software fixes and “Remove everything” before selling. If the problem is hardware-related, a reset won’t help, so consider a professional diagnosis.

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Colin Foster

About Colin Foster

Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our consumer tech how-to & troubleshooting guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.