Summary: Microsoft is readying some under-the-hood changes for reset/restoring Windows 8 PCs, some of which will be part of the February 2012 beta.

It feels like eons ago, but back in June 2010, when the first massive batch of information about Windows 8 leaked, one of the most anticipated new features was the promised “push-button reset” capability.

On January 4, on the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft officials shared more details about what to expect on the PC-reset front — including information on a few of the under-the-hood changes coming in the one-and-only Windows 8 beta, due out by late February 2012.

Microsoft will be providing two related features, as post author Desmond Lee, Program Manager on the Fundamentals team, outlined:

Reset your PC: Meaning, “remove all personal data, apps, and settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows”
Refresh your PC: i.e., “keep all personal data, Metro style apps, and important settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows”

More on Windows 8's new refresh and reset options | ZDNet

For more information, see also:

Refresh Windows 8 Using a Custom System Image

How to Refresh Windows 8

How to Reset Windows 8