Restoring a computer, i.e. restoring the configuration settings that were in effect at the time of purchase, thus making it as good as new, is an ideal operation to perform when you need to reinstall the operating system due to an excessive decrease in performance or if you simply you want to sell it. The recovery procedure varies depending on the manufacturer of the computer, the model of the device, and the operating system being used.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Windows 10
Step 1. Back up all personal files using an external hard drive, USB stick, or clouding service
Restoring a computer deletes all current hard drive contents, including files and personal data.
Step 2. Enter the "Settings" menu and choose the "Update & Security" option
Step 3. Select the "Reset your PC" item, then choose the "Get Started" option
Step 4. At this point, choose one of the available options
The Windows 10 operating system allows you to reset your computer, without deleting personal data and files, by formatting the hard drive or simply restoring the factory configuration settings.
- "Keep my files": In this case, Windows 10 will be reinstalled, the user's personal data and files will be preserved, but all drivers, applications and configuration settings installed or modified by the user will be deleted.
- "Remove all": in this case, the operating system will be reinstalled, the hard drive formatted and the computer's initial configuration (default apps, settings and drivers) restored.
- "Restore factory settings": the version of Windows that was present at the time of purchase of the computer (Windows 8 or Windows 8.1) will be reinstalled and all personal files of the user will be deleted, along with apps, configuration settings and drivers installed or modified by the latter.
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your computer
When the installation is complete, the Windows 10 initial setup wizard will be shown on the screen.
Method 2 of 4: Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
Step 1. Back up all personal files using an external hard drive, USB stick, or clouding service
The procedure for restoring a computer deletes all the current contents of the hard drive, including files and personal data.
Step 2. Enter the "Settings" menu and choose the "Change PC settings" option
Step 3. Choose the "Update and Repair" option, then select the "Recovery" item
Step 4. Press the "Get Started" button located within the "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" section
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows 8
At the end of the computer reset procedure, you will see the Windows 8 initial setup window appear on the screen.
If Windows 8 was installed on your computer at the time of purchase, the recovery procedure will reinstall this version of the operating system, even if it was later upgraded to Windows 8.1. Once the recovery is complete, you will be prompted to update your operating system again with the new version of Windows 8.1
Method 3 of 4: Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Step 1. Back up all personal files using an external hard drive, USB stick, or clouding service
The procedure for restoring a computer deletes all the current contents of the hard drive, including files and personal data.
Step 2. Restart your computer, then identify the key to press to access the "Advanced Boot Options" menu on the initial boot screen, the POST ("Power-On Self-Test")
The key to press to access this menu varies according to the manufacturer and model of the computer. For example, in the case of a Dell computer, you must repeatedly press the F8 function key, while in the case of an HP computer, you must press the F11 function key.
Alternatively, insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's optical drive, access the "Control Panel", choose the "Recovery" item, select the "Advanced recovery methods" option, then choose to reinstall the operating system using the installation disc. Windows will walk you through the entire process of formatting your computer's hard drive and reinstalling the operating system
Step 3. Press the indicated key to enter the "Advanced Boot Options" menu or the "Recovery Console"
Step 4. Select the option to "Reset" or "Repair" your computer
These options may be labeled differently, depending on the manufacturer and model of your computer. In most cases you will find an option similar to "Restore factory settings".
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your computer
When this procedure is complete, you will see the initial computer setup wizard window appear, which will be as good as new when finished.
Method 4 of 4: Mac OS X
Step 1. Back up all personal files using an external hard drive, USB stick, or clouding service
The process of restoring a Mac deletes all the current contents of the hard drive, including files and personal data.
Step 2. Go to the "Apple" menu, then choose "Restart"
Step 3. Press and hold the "Command + R" key combination, after the Mac has booted up and the relevant gray screen appears on the screen
This way, you will have access to the "Recovery" menu.
Step 4. Choose the "Disk Utility" option, then hit the "Continue" button
Step 5. Use the panel on the left of the appeared screen to select the boot partition or hard drive you want to format, then go to the "Initialize" tab
Step 6. Choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" from the "Format" drop-down menu
Step 7. Name your chosen disk or volume, then press the "Erase" button
The operating system will begin formatting the indicated disk. This step can take some time to complete.
Step 8. Enter the "Disk Utility" menu, then select the "Close Disk Utility" option
This will close the application window.
Step 9. At this point, choose the "Reinstall OS X" option, then press the "Continue" button
Step 10. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the OS X operating system on your computer
At the end of the procedure, the factory default settings will have been successfully restored.
