Solved Windows 8.1 Can't use Factory Reset, Drive/Partition miss

Hello, I've been having a lot of trouble with this for a while and was putting off posting my own topic for a long time because I'm stubborn and was hoping I could fix it myself, but now I'm just at a loss and want to pull my hair out .

As the title says, I've been having trouble getting my Windows 8.1 to Factory Reset. I can get into the Recovery Environment just fine, the computer resets, then when it enter the Advanced Boot Menu. I select Reset, and the computer will wait a bit, then it says it was unable to Reset due to a missing drive or partition.

I'm not sure what information would be required on my end, but I've tried to create a recovery drive on a USB, I do not have the recovery disks. I've tried lots of things from multiple sites and seem to have made a little progress, but I've sort of hit a brick wall here.

open a command prompt(admin)

type> reagentc /info
post a pic of reagentc

type> diskpart
type> select disk 0
Type> list partition
post a pic

type> list volume
post a pic

Here we go.

browse drive D and verify you have an install.**m in the recoveryimage folder

that could be install.wim or install.swm(s)

It also appears you already used Control Panel > recovery > create a recovery drive

You need to boot from the recovery media and select reset this pc..

If that is not working for you please post a pic of the folder contents inside "sources" on the recovery USB

You recovery registration is valid - and should work via right charm - pc settings - recovery - remove everything

I browsed D: and there was a install.wim under the recoveryimage folder.

I booted from the recovery media and, I selected the Keyboard layout, selected troubleshoot, Reset your PC, then chose Windows 8.1 (My only option). It then waited a bit, then gave me the "Unable to reset your PC, a required drive or partition is missing." message again.



Here's the screenshot with everything under the Sources folder from the USB.

Using the Right Charm menu to recover always leaves me with the same message as above; "Unable to reset your PC, a required drive or partition is missing."

Edit: I'll elaborate a bit more on what happens when I use the Right Charm to Reset:
It gives me the option to reset and I click it. I choose to fully clean the drive and to reset it. The computer restarts, begins preparing. I get the option to Continue to Windows 8.1, Troubleshoot, or Turn off the PC. I click Troubleshoot and choose 'Reset your PC.' It waits a bit then gives me the Drive Missing message. I then go to continue to Windows 8.1, the computer resets, and when I log in to Windows I get a message prompt saying there was an error with resetting my computer.

ok the install.wim is there..

unhide all system files via VIEW tab - Options

we are looking for Boot.wim in the sources folder

That recovery and recovery\old folder are a new to me folders..

You are missing two files from the sources folder.. no big deal small files..

how many GB is that install wim?

Alright, sorry. I thought I had the files to view, but I guess I didn't! Here are the screenshots with the files shown:

recovery USB root folders

View attachment 57126

Sources Folder

View attachment 57127

You have install.wim - I have install.swm(s) same differance

how may GB is that install.wim

About 3.16 GB.

here are the two missing files - you do not need the "recovery" folder on the USB

copy these two files to the Sources folder and then you can reset pc from usb

These two files tell windows what partition to put the system files and what size to make the partitions

You where missing these two files, thus could not reset pc.. You basically have just a refresh image

My friend, you are amazing! The PC is resetting right now, and it'll take some time for it to finish. As soon as all goes well I'll mark the thread as solved. Thank you!

it will also fix the recovery issue within windows too.. for some strange reason UEFI systems create those two files when creating a recovery drive.. MBR systems do not.. And whom ever created the recovery Image and recovery partition should of known to add them..

OK, looks like everything's fine! It worked perfectly after downloading those two files. Thank you very much for all the help!

Your Welcome

thank you ,

Hello KYHI.swm but my source folder also does not contains those file you have mentioned and have attached to the post which ultimately solved this problem. so i wanted to know will they also work for me too?

what is in that sources\recovery folder ??

your recovery and recovery images are properly registered.. All you need to do is go into control panel > recovery > create a recovery drive..

This will create the factory windows 8 recovery media on a usb drive..

when ever i use usb drive or my recovery partition all it does is give me the same error Unable to reset your PC, a required drive or partition is missing. Although when i use usb i do see windows 8 in troubleshoot > reset > windows 8 but when i click that option it gives me the error Unable to reset your PC, a required drive or partition is missing. and when i use recovery partition then in troubleshoot > reset > it does not even gives me the windows 8 option it straight away says Unable to reset your PC, a required drive or partition is missing. but when i try refresh it says the drive is locked or something like that.