How to Reset Windows 8

   Information

This will show you how to use a new feature in Windows 8 to Reset your PC to completely start over back to default to remove all personal data, apps, and settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows. This is like doing a factory restore/recovery on a purchased computer or clean install, but a little faster.

Resetting your Windows 8 PC works like this:

* The PC boots into the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).
* Windows RE erases and formats the hard drive partitions on which Windows and personal data reside.
* Windows RE installs a fresh copy of Windows.
* The PC restarts into the newly installed copy of Windows.

You must have an administrator account on the computer to be able to reset Windows 8.

   Note

Which files will be affected?

When you reset your PC, the drive will be completely reset, and all your apps and files will be removed from it. Windows 8 will be reinstalled, and you'll need to change any settings and reinstall any apps that you want to get back after resetting. If you know if any files that you don't want to lose, then you should back those files up before starting the reset.

What if I have multiple drives?

You can choose whether to reset all hard drives or just the one with Windows 8 installed on it. Any drive that Windows 8 doesn't recognize, such as those with non-Windows operating systems, will not be affected.

OPTION ONE

How to Reset Windows 8 at Boot

1. Boot to the System Recovery Options using your Windows 8 installation DVD or USB thumb drive, or ISO file if in a virtual machine, and click on the Reset your PC option. (see screenshot below)

2. Click on Next. (see screenshot below)

3. If prompted, select and click on a listed administrator account to log on to it. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Standard user accounts and domain accounts on the computer will not be listed.

A) Type in the password for the selected administrator account, and click on Continue. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you need to change the keyboard layout (language), then do so before entering your password so it will be the same language that the password was set in and match.

4. If prompted, select the OS (ex: Windows Developer Preview) you want to reset. (see screenshot below)

5. If prompted, select if you would like to remove all files from all drives or only the Windows 8 drive. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only see this if you have more than one HDD or partition with a drive letter.

6. Select how you want to have your personal files deleted in this current installation of Windows 8. (see screenshot below)

   Note

Secure Erased = Thoroughly, but this can take several hours

Just marked as deleted = Quickly, but your files might be recoverable by someone else.

7. Click on Reset. (see screenshot below)

8. Windows 8 will now start resetting. (see screenshot below)

9. Enter the Windows 8 Consumer Preview product key number below, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

10. Check the I accept the license terms for using Windows box, and click on the Accept button. (see screenshot below)

11. From this point on, the steps are the same as doing a clean install. Go to and start at step 10 in the tutorial link below to finish resetting Windows 8.

Clean Install - Windows 8

OPTION TWO

How to Reset Windows 8 from within Windows 8

1. While logged in to an administrator account in Windows 8, insert or connect your Windows 8 installation DVD or USB thumb drive, or ISO file if in a virtual machine.


2. Do wither step 3 or 4 below depending on which option you would prefer to use. They both do the same thing.

3. Using "PC settings" to Reset

A) Open PC settings. Scroll down the left side, click on General., then click on the Get started button under the Reset your PC and start over section on the right side. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 5.

4. Using the Icons View Control Panel (old style) to Reset

A) Open the Control Panel (icons view), click on the Recovery icon. (see screenshot below)







B) To the right of Reset, click on the Get Started button. (see screenshot below)







C) Continue on to step 5.

5. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.


6. Click on Next. (see screenshot below)

7. If prompted, select if you would like to remove all files from all drives or only the Windows 8 drive. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only see this if you have more than one HDD or partition with a drive letter. If you like, click on the Show me the list of drives that will be affected link to see them.

8. Select how you want to have your personal files deleted in this current installation of Windows 8. (see screenshot below)

   Note

Secure Erased = Thoroughly, but this can take several hours

Just marked as deleted = Quickly, but your files might be recoverable by someone else.

8. Click on Reset. (see screenshot below)

9. Windows 8 will now start resetting. (see screenshot below)

10. Enter the Windows 8 Consumer Preview product key number below, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J

11. Check the I accept the license terms for using Windows box, and click on the Accept button. (see screenshot below)

12. From this point on, the steps are the same as doing a clean install. Go to and start at step 10 in the tutorial link below to finish resetting Windows 8.

Clean Install - Windows 8

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8
• How to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Refresh Windows 8 Using a Custom System Image
• How to Install "Windows 8 Consumer Preview" on VirtualBox
• How to Install "Windows 8 Consumer Preview" on VMware Player
• How to Run the "SFC /SCANNOW" Command at Boot or in Windows 8