Easily Reinstall Windows 8 Using Refresh or Reset Utility

Is advised that Windows 8 Refresh or Reset repair utility should only be used if your system doesn’t respond properly and shows unexpected fatal exceptions or becomes slow.

Normally on previous Windows to start fresh you need to format and re-install the Operating System, well, not anymore. One of the new features in windows 8 is the Refresh or Reset repair utility. The best part is Windows installation disk is NOT required.

Video Tutorial:

Reset Windows 8:

Think of it as restoring it to the state you first installed Windows 8, or how you received your PC when you bought it.

Note: All your personal files will be deleted and all configuration changes will be reset to default.

  1. From the Metro Style Click on Control panel.
  2. Once the control panel has opened scroll through the list on the left hand side, and Click the General category.This will load snap the General settings panel.
  3. On the right hand side. Navigate to the bottom of the settings.
  4. From here we can See Reset your PC.

Reset = Everything – apps, applications, files, settings – are junked and the system is back to a fresh install.

5. Click the Get Started button, a banner will inform you on what will be changed.

7. Click the Next button.

8. If you have more than one drive, you will be asked which drives you want to remove files from. You can choose just the drive which Windows resides on or all drives.

9. You will be prompted for confirmation that you want to reset your PC. Click the Reset button to get started.

10. Your PC will then reboot.Once it reboots Windows will Start the Reset process.

Once it has finished, your PC will appear as you are booting the PC for the first time.

To Refresh Windows 8:
  1. From the Metro Style Click on Control panel.
  2. Once the control panel has opened scroll through the list on the left hand side, and Click the General category.This will load snap the General settings panel.
  3. On the right hand side. Navigate to the bottom of the settings.
  4. From here we can See Refresh your PC.

Refresh = Gives the OS a refresh but leaves all your files and settings untouched. Apps downloaded from the Windows Store will be kept but other applications will be lost.

5. Click the Get Started button, a banner will inform you on what will be changed.

6. After clicking the Next button, you will be informed that Windows will reboot your system.

7. Click the Refresh button which will restart your PC.

8. When your PC reboot, it will start Refreshing your system.

Note: The differences are pretty self-explanatory:

  • Refresh
    Gives the OS a refresh but leaves all your files and settings untouched. Apps downloaded from the Windows Store will be kept but other applications will be lost.
  • Reset
     Will Delete Everything !! – applications, Personal files, settings – are Deleted and the system will be fresh installed.

Miguel

I started this tech blog back in 2011 as a place to write down processes I took to fix my client systems and network. Now I write some tips and tricks to help others with the tech issues that one might encounter.

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