Refresh Windows 8

How to Refresh Windows 8 and Windows 8.1​

   Information

This will show you how to use a new feature in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 to refresh your PC to keep all personal data, Metro style apps, and important settings from the PC, and reinstall Windows.

If a recovery image provided by your PC's manufacturer is present, Windows 8 will use that image when you refresh your PC. Otherwise, Windows 8 will use your installation media when you refresh your PC.

This refresh feature is something close to like what doing a repair install in Windows 7 and Vista was for, but made a lot easier, faster, and safer to do now in Windows 8.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Refreshing your PC goes like this:

• The PC boots into Windows RE (Recovery Environment).
• Windows RE scans the hard drive for your data, settings, and apps, and puts them aside (on the same drive).
• Windows RE installs a fresh copy of Windows.
• Windows RE restores the data, settings, and apps it has set aside into the newly installed copy of Windows.
• The PC restarts into the newly installed copy of Windows.

   Note

Which Settings will be Preserved

• All user accounts.
• Files in all users' C:\Users\(user-name) folders. (ex: Desktop, My Documents, My Music, etc...)
• Wireless network connections
• Apps from the Windows Store will be kept.
• Mobile broadband connections
• BitLocker and BitLocker To Go settings
• Drive letter assignments
• Personalization settings such as lock screen background and desktop wallpaper
• Choices you made during Windows Welcome, such as computer name and user accounts, will not change.
• Network, Libraries, and Windows Update settings will not change.
• Customer Experience Improvement Program settings will not change.
• Windows Error Reporting settings will not change.
• Some drivers may or may not be removed.

Which Settings will be NOT be Preserved

• File type associations
• Display settings
• User settings
• Windows Firewall settings
• App settings
• All installed 3rd party desktop programs (not Store apps). A list of removed apps will be saved on your desktop after the refresh is finished to let you know which programs were removed.
• You PC settings will be changed back to their defaults.
• Installed Windows Updates will be removed.
• Some drivers may or may not be removed.

   Tip

If you create a custom recovery image, a refresh will also contain the desktop apps you've installed, and the Windows system files in their current state. If you would like to be able to refresh Windows 8 with a custom recovery image, then you would need to create and register a custom image first.

Refresh Windows 8 - Create and Use Custom Recovery Image

OR

Refresh Windows 8 - Set a Custom Recovery Image as Active

   Warning

If you set UAC to Always notify me, then you will not be able to use the refresh and reset Windows 8 features. These features require UAC to be set to the default or lower level to work.

If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and updated to Windows 8.1, then when you refresh Windows, it will restore Windows 8. Afterwards, you will need to update to Windows 8.1 via the Store again.

OPTION ONE

How to Refresh Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 at Boot

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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/tap on the Refresh your PC option. (see screenshot below}​

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2. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

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3. If prompted, select the Windows 8 or 8.1 that you want to refresh. (see screenshot below)​

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4. Click/tap on Refresh. (see screenshot below)​

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5. Windows 8 or 8.1 will now start to be refreshed.​

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6. When it's finished, you can now log back on to a refreshed Windows 8 or 8.1. (see screenshots below)​

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   Note

If any apps were removed during the refresh, you will find a Removed Apps.html file on the desktop detailing what it removed and at what time.

   Note

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You will also now have a Windows.old folder that has been placed in the root directory of the Windows 8 or 8.1 drive that contains a copy of the previous Windows 8 or 8.1 installation before it was refreshed. This folder can be quite large in size, so the tutorial below will show you how to delete it if you like.​

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How to Delete the "Windows.old" Folder in Windows 8​

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OPTION TWO

Refresh Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 from within Windows 8 and 8.1

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1. While signed in as an administrator in Windows 8 or 8.1, do step 2 or 3 below depending on which option you would prefer to use.​

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2. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Recovery icon, click/tap on the If you're experiencing problems with your PC, you can refresh it in PC settings link, and go to step 4 or 5 below. (see screenshot below)​

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3. Open PC settings, and do step 4 or 5 below for the Windows 8 you have installed.​

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4. If you have Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1​

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A) On the left side in PC settings, click/tap on Update & Recovery. (see screenshot below)​

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B) On the left side in Update & Recovery, click/tap on Recovery, click/tap on the Get started button under the Refresh your PC without affecting your files section on the right side, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below​

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5. If you have Windows 8 or Windows RT​

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A) Click/tap on General on the left side, click/tap on the Get started button under the Refresh your PC without affecting your files section on the right side, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)​

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6. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​

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7. If prompted to Insert media, insert or connect your Windows installation DVD or USB, or ISO file if in a virtual machine.​

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8. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)​

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9. Click/tap on Refresh. (see screenshot below)​

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10. Windows 8 or 8.1 will now start to be refreshed.​

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11. When it's finished, you can now log back on to a refreshed Windows 8 or 8.1. (see screenshots below)​

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   Note

If any desktop apps (programs) were removed during the refresh, you will find a Removed Apps.html file on the desktop detailing what it removed and at what time.

You will also now have a Windows.old folder that has been placed in the root directory of the Windows 8 or 8.1 drive that contains a copy of the previous Windows 8 or 8.1 installation before it was refreshed. This folder can be quite large in size, so the tutorial below will show you how to delete it if you like.

How to Delete the "Windows.old" Folder in Windows 8

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Refresh Windows Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Do a Repair Install of Windows 8 without Losing Anything
• How to Refresh or Reset Windows 8 without Installation Disk
• How to Create a Custom Recovery Image to Use to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Set a Custom Recovery Image as Active to Use to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Display Path of Current Active Recovery Image Used to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Deregister the Current Custom Recovery Image to Refresh Windows 8
• How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8
• How to Create a Recovery PC settings Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Reset Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• How to Delete the "Windows.old" Folder in Windows 8
• How Run a "Automatic Repair" to Fix Windows 8 Startup Problems
• How to Run the "SFC /SCANNOW" Command at Boot or in Windows 8
• How to Do a System Image Recovery in Windows 8
• How to Use DISM to Fix Component Store Corruption in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012
• How to Fix "You've been signed in with a temporary profile" Error in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Fix "User Profile Service service failed the sign-in. User Profile cannot be loaded." Error in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[timserious]

Cannot refresh win 8 without affecting files

This is an excellent tutorial, however, it did not help me with my problem. I have a custom built PC, with retail windows 8 pro. Currently running 8.1 and all updates are current as of 3:00PM today, 5/14/2014.

• I have a few programs that will not install properly, 2 that are extremely important and critical are:

• Sony PlayMemories Home (cannot install latest update, it gets to the very end and fails; Sony support tried all they could remotely and so have I, including performing complete uninstall and reinstall with the same results). Without this update I cannot retrieve videos from my Sony camcorder using this system. I can use my 2nd system which is also a custom build but was upgraded to win8 pro from win7 using a d/l win8 pro upgrade.
• Nero Platinum 2014 installs but many features will not function. We (I am working with Nero ts) have worked on this problem for over 2 weeks including uninstalling everything from Nero, I have 3 versions Nero Platinum 10, 11 & 2014, cleaned the registry, appdata, every trace of Nero. But cannot get it to install properly.

• Windows blue-screened on Mon, 5/12/2014, sorry I did not record the error.
• My monitor goes to sleep but will not awaken if left idle for 2 or more hours. I have this system networked with 4 other systems and was still able to access the drive to perform a backup so I know the system is still operating. I did update the drivers (I do this often to make sure old drivers are not the issue; I do realize have the latest is not always the answer).
• My system is extremely slow at times; I routinely perform maintenance using McAfee cleaner, ccleaner, system mechanic, advanced system care ultimate and other utilities as needed.

As a result of all of the problems that I mentioned, I decided to attempt to "refresh the pc without affecting your files" it requested the installation disc,but produced an error "the media inserted is not valid" (I tried both the retail 64-bit disc and the upgrade disc {just to see if it would work}). BTW, I have UAC at the lowest level and did log in as administrator. I then tried booting from the install disc, the only refresh option to keep was "nothing".

I have exhausted all options and need help. It would take 3 days to wipe the system and re-install everything, I really do not want to do this if it can be avoided. HELP!!! (Hopefully it is appropriate to post my problem here)

 

[Brink]

Hello Tim, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Did you use Windows 8.1 Pro installation media to match what you currently have installed?

 

[timserious]

Thank you and yes I did.

 

[Brink]

In that case, you might see if you may be able to do a repair install instead.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/26095-repair-install-windows-8-a.html

 

[timserious]

OK, I think I tried doing this a few months ago, the option was not available. I will try it now. One more thing, I upgraded from 8 to 8.1 with the 8 disc work, I believe that has been the problem?

I reviewed your info, in step 12 the only option I get is "nothing"

 

[Brink]

If you still get "nothing" while using Windows 8.1 Pro installation media, then yeah it'll just about be the same as a clean install then.

 

[timserious]

No other option or nothing that can be done to fix this?

 

[Brink]

With all the issues your installation is having, I would recommend a clean install when you have time to.

Be sure to stay away from those registry cleaners though. They often cause issues.

 

[timserious]

OK thanks, I have been using them for many years but I accept the advice, I really appreciate your efforts.

 

[Peter2]

Brink
Thank you for jumping in. If you can't do it, it can't be done.
Was any of my advice close to home? I learn by criticism. You have to feel for Tim and wish he could be helped.
Peter

 

[Brink]

Hey Peter,

Sure your advice is good as always.

The main monkey wrench for a refresh or repair install is the update from 8 to 8.1 to 8.1 Update, and the installation media no longer matching or working to do it with the current installation because of the way these OS updates work.

When you have these kind of issues thrown on top, it's almost a miracle that you are able to do a refresh and not only have the "Nothing" option.

@Tim,

In addition, be sure that the Windows 8.1 Pro installation media you try the repair install with is also the same language as your current installation.

 

[Peter2]

I have a Win 8.1 dvd I made from the iso and I have yet to see if it works with a refresh.
I upgraded from 7 to 8 then used the store to get 8.1 with the media center.
All is well now and I have sufficient images of 7, 8 and 8.1 so time will tell if the dvd works for refresh.
Good tip about the language.
Thanks again for jumping in and luck to Tim.
Peter

 

[varga]

Users folder

Hi Brink.
First of all i wanna say that i run windows 8 (or atleast i ran).
I have been reading this tutorial and these comments from post #1 until the end and i am still a bit confused about the part with :
"Files in all users' C:\Users\(user-name) folders. (ex: Desktop, My Documents, My Music, etc...)".
The problem that i have is that my windows doesn't start-up anymore and i really need some files (Word docs, notepads etc) that i had on my desktop since they were the stuff that i've been working on daily (fast acces from desktop).
My question is: i am attemting a repair install from windows 8 disc and i have the option to refresh my PC. Let's say that along with the apps icons i had on desktop i also have a .doc file or a folder with .doc files. ​Will that file remain saved anywhere on my computer?

 

[Brink]

Hello Varga, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Files in your C:\Users\(user-name) folders should remain intact when you refresh Windows. However, I would always recommend to back up anything that you do not want to lose to be safe.

You might see if you can connect the hard drive to another computer to backup what you like. If you are not able to, then you might see if you area able to back up using a Live Peppermint DVD/USB.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[varga]

Desktop

Hi Brink and thanx for the reply. I have been really waiting
Edit*: For the back-up thing, i can't do that because windows doesn't even start-up anymore.
I already tried to acces my files using an Ubuntu live CD and i was able to copy some stuff i had on : D but the things that i really need to recover are those that i had on my desktop. After Ubuntu mounts my partitions it shows my Users folder but for some reason it didn\t show anything inside the folder. Could it be because of Windows somehow hiding these files, because "Users" folder wasn't the only folder empty in :C ?
2nd thing i wanted to ask you. I also thought about buying a rack and connecting the hard disk to another laptop or PC through USB. How exactly does that work and will it show all my files, even those on :C ?
3rd thing: If i install a new Windows on : D, can i install it without formatting the partition if i have enough free space? I have enough space for sure on : D, i am not sure if i can install without format. Just as a momentary solution, because i only need 5 minutes for the laptop to work so that i can recover the files that i need, after that i will format everything and do a clean install, i know installing it like this can be problematic.
4th and final One of my friends told me that i can find online something called "Hyren", if i recall well, wich is an image of windows that can allow you to run the windows from the cd/dvd, but he told me that this thing was for vista and XP and he doesn't know for sure if it exists for windows 8.

Sorry for all these questions, but i had my license paper on my desktop and i know it was kinda stupid of me to only keep it on my desktop, but i will be dead without it and i really need to recover it
Bbye and thanks in advance.

 

[Brink]

Varga,

It's odd that you couldn't see anything in your "C:\Users\(user-name)\Desktop" folder using the Ubuntu live CD. Did you move your user folder to another location?

If you have another desktop computer (or a friends), you could connect the hard drive internally to access the files on it.

Sure, you could also connect the hard drive using an external hard drive case, but it would cost a bit for the external case.

That would be a Hiren's BootCD or USB. It says it supports Windows 7, so I would imagine that it'll work on Windows 8 as well.

Download Hiren?s BootCD 15.2 | HBCD Fan & Discussion Platform

What's the issue with your Windows not booting anymore? Perhaps there may be a way to help with this.

 

[varga]

desktop

hi and again thx for taking your time, it's of great help.

2 days ago i was using my laptop normally, nothing fancy, not even running any big apps, just browsing the internet, when i got a blue screen with KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR. After it restarted, i browsed the net a bit to look for info on that error. windows website said that one sollution was to perform a dskchk from an elevated command promt to look for the reason of that error. i did that but it got stuck on the 3rd step, freezing the entire laptop then it just shut down. after that moment it never started again. For example, dunno if i can write it here, but i have an ASUS laptop. K54C for that matter. When i power the laptop, it shows the ASUS logo, then the screen turns black and it doesn't do anything else. It actually happened that sometimes the windows logo appears and it loads but it doesn't go further from that point. I also tried to boot in safe mode but it doesn't react to me pressing F8 or Shift-F8

Just for the sake of it, at this point i really don't mind spending some money just as long as i can recover my files. Will buying an external rack and connecting it to another laptop be the easiest way to solve this now? Once again, i just need acces to my files for like 5 minutes so that i can take everything i need on a flash.
Another nasty problem that i have things that i need both on C: and D:

I didn't move the "Users" folder.

 

[Brink]

The easiest and free way would be to connect the hard drive internally on a desktop PC, but yeah you could just as easily connect it the hard drive using an external drive bay as well.

 

[varga]

internally

the thing is that i don't know how i could be able to connect a laptop HDD to a desktop unit, i would still need adaptors and that will bring me back to shopping, but buying a rack would actually get me a rack wich i could use later on
Thankx for all the answers, you have relieved me a bit, i really appreciate taking your time. Once again, thank you, great man!

 

[Brink]

You would need a SATA data cable, and a SATA or Molex to SATA power cable to connect the laptop drive to the desktop's motherboard SATA port and PSU.

Usually the PSU will have a SATA power cable already available unless it's an old PSU. If needed, you could disconnect the SATA data cable from an extra drive in the desktop and use it on the laptop's drive.

It really just depends on what you would prefer to do for either an external drive bay or internal.