Win 8.1 Refresh/Remove isn't working

alek

New Member
Messages
1
Hi guys,

My PC started off on Win 8 and I upgraded to Win 8.1 .

I want to do a completely fresh installation. I do not mind going back to Win 8 and redownloading Win 8.1 afterwards.

My problem is that when I go to PC Settings > "Remove everything and reinstall Windows", I get the error: "Insert media. Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files."

I have a partition on my computer "HP_RECOVERY (F:)". It states 1.24 GB free of 10.6 GB. When I open it, it contains a folder called "Recovery" and "HP_WSD.dat" -- the .dat file is 1 KB. When I open the folder, it says that it is empty (hidden folders and files are set to be shown). If I look at the folder properties, it states that it contains 1 file, 2 folders. The size is 69 bytes.

I have not touched this recovery partition ever since I got this PC. I have, however, run a partition software before because I split my (C:) into (C: and D:). I do not know if this may have somehow corrupted my recovery partition.

What is the best way for me to quickly and cleanly format my PC without losing my registration key? I do not have a copy of Win 8 or Win 8.1 on a CD or USB.


Edit:

I opened up cmd as admin and typed in "reagentc /info" and it output this:
Code:
[/FONT][/COLOR]

C:\WINDOWS\system32>reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
Information:


    Windows RE status:         Enabled
    Windows RE location:       \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition3\Recove
ry\WindowsRE
    Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: 8fc8db37-7d80-11e3-91ec-faa553f3f5
b4
    Recovery image location:
    Recovery image index:      0
    Custom image location:
    Custom image index:        0


REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.


[COLOR=#000000][FONT=verdana]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
I have not touched this recovery partition ever since I got this PC. I have, however, run a partition software before because I split my (C into (C: and D. I do not know if this may have somehow corrupted my recovery partition.

Here is info about reagentc /info -> link

Note: If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, you may not use the third-party partition software, because modifying the hard disk partition structure usually break the factory restore feature. But if you use Windows Disk Management to shrink the C: partition (see screenshots below), then refresh and reset should work, even if you have the 350 MB or 450 MB recovery partition after the C: partition.

Try this: (edit: if you have used the third-party partition software)
- move files from D: to C:
- delete D:
- extend C:

What is the best way for me to quickly and cleanly format my PC without losing my registration key? I do not have a copy of Win 8 or Win 8.1 on a CD or USB.

How to clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key?

Will this work? http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Windows 8.1 - Create a recovery drive.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Your Factory Image is not registered, so something has done that. If you used a third party Partition management software, which one was it? There is one which turns the Recovery Partitions into OEM partitions and causes the Recovery options to fail.

A picture of your Disk Management window may help. Attach it using the Advanced Replies options.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
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