Restore your computer to Factory Default Settings

[jcgriff2]

By: Masterchiefxx17, Microsoft MVP

Restore your computer to Factory Default Settings​

This tutorial will guide you on how to do a system restore on your Windows computer. Make sure you read and follow only the tutorial that matches your computer. If an error occurs during the restore process, stop the process and post in the appropriate Sysnative forum for guidance.

** Read Here First! **​

WARNING: THIS TUTORIAL WILL RESET YOUR COMPUTER TO FACTORY SETTINGS! WINDOWS WILL BE WIPED AND RESET TO THE DAY YOU BOUGHT IT. BACK UP ALL IMPORTANT FILES BEFORE CONTINUING. ALL FILES, PROGRAMS, EMAILS, PHOTOS, ETC. WILL BE DELETED!

Before starting the restore process, make sure you backup your saved files; program data, emails, music, photos, and anything else that is important. Store it to a CD/DVD or a USB device.

Please be patient throughout the process. This will take some time to complete; at times the restore process may seem like it’s paused or stopped. Do not restart or shutdown during the process! A normal restore can be around 1.5 - 2 hours. The time depends on the size of the Hard Drive.

Please note, the exact method needed to enter the restore options for your PC may vary depending on the age and model of your computer.

Be sure to read all of the warnings displayed on the screen.

Once finished make sure you do the following:

• Update Drivers.
• Update Windows using Windows Update.
• Download and install your Security Software/Program.
• Copy over your saved files.
• Download programs such as: Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, Adobe Shockwave, and Java.

** End of Read Here First! **​

Acer Computer Restore:

1. Go to My Computer (Or Computer) > C: > Program Files. Find the Acer Folder and open it.
2. Double click on the Acer eRecovery Management. If Windows asks for permission to run, click Yes.
3. On the left hand Side of the program, click the Restore button.
4. Click Completely Restore System to Factory Defaults.
5. Acer eRecovery will ask you to confirm the action. Select the Yes option then click Start.
6. Click the OK option in the second confirmation dialog box. This will restart the computer.
7. After the computer restarts, click Next in the Warning window that appears.
8. Click Next again in the Restore Destination window. Then click OK in last popup Warning window about deleting your data.
9. The Restore Process will now begin.
10. Once the Acer eRecovery Management Utility is finished, click OK which notifies you that the restore is now complete.
11. The computer will now restart.

Asus Computer Restore:

**Important: DO NOT delete the RECOVERY partition on your computer! The Recovery partition is created at the factory and cannot be restored if deleted!

1. Restart the Computer.
2. As the computer is booting up tap F9 repeatedly on the keyboard, which will bring up Asus Recovery Partition Utility.
   a. You must start tapping F9 before the Windows Logo appears on the screen. If the Windows logo appears then restart the process.
3. Press Enter to select Windows Setup [EMS Enabled].
4. Select the language you want to recover in and click Next.
5. After reading the Asus Preload Wizard messages, click Next.
6. Restore Options:
   a. Recover Windows to first partition only.

   i. This option will delete only the first partition of your Hard Drive and allows you to keep other partitions safe. This will create a new system partition as the “C:” drive.
   ​
   b. Recover Windows to Entire Hard Drive:

   i. This option will delete all partitions from your Hard Drive and creates a new system partition as the “C:” drive.
   ​

   c. Recover Windows to Entire Hard Drive with two partitions:

   i. This option will delete all partitions from your Hard Drive and then create two new partitions called the “C:” Drive which holds 25% and the “D:” Drive which holds the remaining 75%.

   1. I recommend this option due to you can restore Windows in a later point but keep the “D:” partition safe.
   ​
7. Select a partition/option and click Next.
8. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the recovery process.
9. Once finished click Next or OK and the computer will restart.

Dell Computer Restore:

1. Restart the Computer.
2. As the computer is booting up Tap F8 repeatedly on the keyboard until the Advance Boot Options menu shows. This will start Dell’s Factory Image Restore Utility.
   a. You must tap F8 before the Windows Logo appears on the screen. If the Windows logo appears then restart the process.
3. Press the Down Arrow to select Repair Your Computer. Then press Enter.
4. Select the language you want to do the restore process in, then click OK.
5. Log into a user on the computer who has Administrative power and click OK.
6. Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7. In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8. Click to select the Yes, reformat Hard Drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9. Click Next. The computer will now start the default factory configuration.
10. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the recovery process.
11. Once finished click Finish and the computer will restart.

HP Computer Restore:

• Restart the Computer.
• As the computer is booting up Tap F10 repeatedly on the keyboard until the recovery menu appears. This will start HP’s PC System Recovery.
  a. You must tap F10 before the Windows Logo appears on the screen. If the Windows logo appears then restart the process.
• Select the: Perform Standard System Recovery, click Next and then click Yes.
• Read and follow each window that appears on the screen. This will guide you throughout the whole restore process.
• After the System Recovery is complete the computer will restart. Windows setup will how appear.

Sony Vaio Computer Restore:

1. Go to the Windows Start Menu of your computer and select the VAIO Recovery Center.
2. Underneath Choose a Program select the Restore Complete System.
3. Click the Start button next to Restore Complete System.
4. Check the box next to Yes under Recovery Drive then click Next.
5. Check Yes to use the default C: Drive. Click Next again.
6. A Warning will appear saying: “WARNING: This program deletes all files on your hard disk drive.” Click Next and then click Start.
7. Follow the onscreen prompts as it does the recovery process.
8. Once the recovery process if finished the computer will restart.

Toshiba Computer Restore:

1. Restart your computer.
2. As the computer is booting up Tap F8 repeatedly on the keyboard until the Advance Boot Option appears. This will start Toshiba Restore System Utility.
   a. You must tap F8 before the Windows Logo appears on the screen. If the Windows logo appears then restart the process.
3. Click on Repair Your Computer, and then press Enter.
4. Select your language you wish to restore in. Then click OK.
5. On the “System Recovery Options Screen” click Restore Application.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions.
7. A prompt should appear asking to begin. Click on the Full Factory Recovery.
8. Click Next to continue.
9. Follow the onscreen instructions, which will guide you throughout the restore process.
10. Once finished, click the Finish button.
11. The computer will now restart.

Gateway Computer Restore:

1. Go to My computer (or Computer) > All Programs > Gateway and then double click Gateway Recovery Management.
   a. This will begin Gateway’s Recovery Management.​
2. In the Gateway Recovery Management window, click Restore and then click Restore System to Factory Default.
3. In the confirm dialog box, select Yes and then click Start.
   a. If you have a computer password you will be prompted to enter it.​
4. Another confirm dialog box will appear, click OK.
5. The computer will now restart.
6. In the Restore from factory default dialog box, click Next.
7. In the Destination Disk Information box, click Next.
8. A Notice box will show, click OK.
9. In the Finished dialog box, click OK.
10. The computer will now restart.

Setting up Windows after the Restore Process:

1. After the computer restarts, in the “Set up Windows Screen”, click Next.
2. In the “Please read the license terms” screen, select the I accept the license terms check box for each item. Then click “Next.
   a. By checking each check box and pressing next, you are agreeing to all of Microsoft’s Terms and Conditions along with their EULA.​
3. In the “Choose a user name and picture” window, enter your information, and then click Next.
4. Type a computer name and choose a desktop background screen and then click Next.
5. In the “Help protect Windows automatically” window, click Use recommended settings.
6. Set up your time and date settings in the window. Then click Next.
7. In the “Select your computer’s current location” screen, click Home.
8. In the “Thank You” screen, click Start.
9. Windows will now check your computers performance. This may take up to 15 minutes.
10. Windows will finish preparing the desktop and complete the Restore process.
11. Once Windows has shown the desktop the Restore process is complete.

 

[jcgriff2]

If your HDD Recovery Partition is damaged, has files missing or simply does not work, you will need to obtain Windows DVD(s) from your system manufacturer (OEM).

Please see this sticky for further information - OEM + Microsoft Windows Replacement Media (OS DVDs)

If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to create a new thread in the appropriate Windows help forum - Microsoft Support & Malware Removal Forums - sysnative.com

Regards. . .

jcgriff2