It happens that Windows 7 starts to function with errors. There are many possible reasons for this, such as virus infection or malfunction of computer components, as well as damage to system files. In this case, the PC often reboots or even worse does not boot at all. In this situation, there is a significant risk of losing important data that has been stored on the computer.
Windows 7 recovery methods
Fortunately, we have the ability to roll back Windows 7 and do a factory reset. For this purpose, you can use the following methods:
- Use the boot disk;
- Use "System Restore";
- Boot with a previous working version of the system.
How to fix the OS using a boot disk?
Using the disk, we can perform a factory reset or roll back Windows and return the computer to working capacity. To do this, you need to boot into safe mode and enter into "Computer Troubleshooting", then install the CD in CD-rom. A menu will appear where you need to click "OS Recovery".
Next, Windows will recommend the following options:
- System memory analysis;
- Windows recovery;
- System startup fix;
- Performing work on the command line;
- Restoring from a Windows image.
We select the option indicated in the screenshot above, then there is a procedure similar to that described in the section below.
How to use "Windows Recovery"?
Windows creates points in case patches are required, and the user can also create them on their own and determine the save time. During the creation of such a point by the user, it is imperative to disable all applications. Next, enter "Control Panel"- "System" . Then enter the window "System Protection" and press "Create a restore point"(you need to come up with and print her name). A notification will appear - "The restore point was created successfully."
To fix Windows, click "Start", enter "Control Panel" and further into "Recovery - Start System Restore". In the menu that appears, click on a point (it is recommended to select a point a few days before errors occur).
Next, a reboot will occur.
Also in this window, it is possible to reset the settings and roll back the OS using a pre-created image that is pre-written to a disk or other external media. Flash drives are popular these days. It is recommended to use the default settings.
How to boot from the previous working version of the system?
This method is the easiest way to return to a successful configuration. Need to download to "Safe Mode". To this end, when the launch occurs, you need to press the "F8" button and press "Last Known Good Configuration". Next, you will return to the working version.
Using the rollback to the working version, it is possible to correct errors when the software is installed incorrectly on the computer. Fix files damaged by viruses. This method is effective and convenient in case of not very serious errors, in other cases it will not help and more effective methods are required.
How to perform a hard reset to factory settings
If the above three methods fail, it is possible to perform a factory reset. For this purpose, computers are equipped with a partition with a factory image. This section has the status of "system" and is usually not visible to the user.
There are special programs for resetting and rolling back the settings to the factory settings. In order to use the utility, you need to press a special button provided by the PC developer. A menu will open where you need to click "Restore to the state at the time of purchase". Further, everything will happen without the participation of the user, and after a reboot, he will only need to create a new account.
It should be noted that the data in the computer memory will be erased. It is recommended that you first transfer the necessary information to an external hard drive.
Coming to a computer equipment store, a large assortment opens before the buyer, from which it is difficult to choose a decent computer. But professional consultants will select exactly what you need based on an individual approach. When choosing a computer, consultants set the factory settings on a computer or laptop. These are the most basic and simple settings that are available to almost everyone.
Further installation or reinstallation of the Windows system is carried out by the buyer independently or by contacting specialized companies to carry out such a procedure.
General points
Personal computer failure can occur due to a wide range of reasons. The very first such reason is the presence of virus programs that not only clog up the computer's memory, but also destroy its files and documents. How can I restore my computer to factory settings?
When this situation happens, the best and alternative installation of the operating system is to automatically reset Windows to the factory settings that were received in the store. This option will simplify the work of restoring the operating system. It will reset it completely, allow you to troubleshoot and install a new operating system. But not all computers have automatic reset, so some will need to manually apply a system reinstall.
In the event that the system is reinstalled manually, it is necessary to transfer all available information from the computer to other media, since information may be lost at the time of reinstallation. It is possible to recover information if this suddenly happens, but not everyone can do this, and this possibility does not always exist.
If you decide to install an autonomous heating system in your home, we recommend that you read this article. We talk about the heating convector.
The question of how to restore the computer to factory settings also worries users in other moments, not only in case of breakdowns. And here users ask themselves the task of how to reset the computer to factory settings, because this is the best option in many cases.
There are times when resetting the Windows 7 system will be useful to the computer.
The first point is the sale of the computer. It will be very convenient for the new owner to receive a computer with factory settings, as in a store.
The second point is the transfer of a personal computer to another employee in the organization.
The third point is the slow operation of the computer, drivers stop loading, some programs work.
And in these few moments, it is precisely this attitude that applies. And now, having learned several causes of breakdowns and malfunctions, it is time to study how to eliminate them. The question arises, how to return Windows 7 to factory settings?
There are three options for how to restore your computer to factory settings.
Let's make a reservation right away - a complete reset of the system is not always required. To save time and effort, you can try simpler options first.
Troubleshooting
The very first way to troubleshoot errors is to load a successful configuration.
The next option will work if the computer supports the built-in Windows recovery function.
And the third way is to use the system boot disk. Most users should know how to use any of the troubleshooting steps. This article offers a closer look at these three ways on how to factory reset your computer.
What should be done
So, the first way. Loading Last Known Good Configuration. This method is considered very simple, so even the most insecure personal computer user can master it. Before Windows 7 starts loading, you must use the F8 button and select the phrase "Last Known Good Configuration". At this point, the system will restore the previous version of the computer, which was the most successful and successful. This action will return all working system files.
If just a simple reboot of a successful configuration does not help, then you can immediately restore the system using restore points. They are fixed at certain moments in any state of the program and, choosing the most successful point, you can try to restore Windows 7. You can make such restore points yourself or set the frequency of their automatic saving in the settings of your personal computer.
Important! On some computers, the automatic creation of restore points is disabled by default. We recommend that you enable it, as it may help in troubleshooting in the future.
The next method suggests using the system boot disk. This option is used for more serious problems with the Windows 7 system. Basically, this is a severe computer infection with virus files. Only a disk can help here, which will help restore the computer's operating system. When the safe mode is enabled on the computer, you need to click on the item from the menu "troubleshoot on the computer", after which you need to insert the disk. In the open window, select the "restore system" function. The program will offer different recovery options. All of them are almost identical, so the choice is up to the user. The recovery procedure is the same as working with applications. But an important feature of using a disk is the exclusion of the effects of viruses on personal software. Disk manufacturers also provide special instructions that help you understand and properly reset the system. The principle of such programs is almost the same, so one disk will be enough to study such a moment as how to return the computer to factory settings.
If nothing helps
If all of these above options do not help restore the computer and do not give positive results, then you can do a complete reset of the entire system. Some models of computers and laptops contain system partitions with a copy of their underlying Windows 7 software. There is no single recommendation on how to start this procedure. As a rule, at the moment the computer is turned on, a hint will light up at the bottom of the screen indicating the main active keys. If there is an item F (number) for recovery - feel free to press the indicated button and follow the instructions. If there is no such item, then we advise you to read the documentation for your computer. It should indicate what keys this procedure starts.
If all the recommendations do not help and the computer refuses to work as before, then we recommend contacting specialists. Always remember that in the event of a more serious breakdown, there is a risk of causing even more damage if you do not follow the instructions at your own peril and risk.
Today we will look at how to reset Windows 10 to factory settings and roll back the system to the state of only the installed operating system. The topic requires detailed consideration due to the virtual absence of these functions in previous editions of Windows and the concept of storing an image to roll back the state of the operating system.
The beauty of the "dozens" here is that the implementation of the above procedure does not require an installation disk, a bootable USB flash drive with software like True Image, or an image of a working system.
Attention, you should proceed to the execution of the instructions only as a last resort, when the only solution to the problem can be a re-installation of Windows 10. When the instructions fail, just install the operating system, making sure that no data is affected in the process.
All emerging and possible problems that accompany the process of rolling back the “dozens” are discussed in the last section. If you encounter one of them - move to the bottom of the page.
Why is this needed?
Before you learn how to reset Windows 10, you should know why reset it at all. Returning the operating system to its original state is necessary in cases where it does not function properly, and a return to normal operation is not possible.
Also, the function is a full-fledged replacement for reinstalling Windows 10, but with some advantage: saving personal files (documents, application settings).
Performing a reset from a running system
This method of resetting the "tens" is possible only when it starts. Everything is carried out quite simply.
1. We call the new menu "Options" (the fastest way to do this is through the combination "Win + I").
2. Click on the item "Update and Security".
3. Go to the "Recovery" subsection.
4. In the first section of the window that appears, click on the "Start" button.
It happens that the operating system reports that it cannot find the files required to perform the operation. In this case, go to the next section of the article.
5. We choose the most suitable option from the proposed ones (the first one is recommended, but it all depends on the situation).
Next comes branching: if you choose the second method, you will be prompted to format the disk or simply clean it. It also depends on the situation. For example, when you are going to sell a computer, the option of completely cleaning the disk is better, but the process can take a long time if the hard drive is large or there are many bad sectors on the surface of the magnetic platter.
6. In the last window, click "Reset" if you have not changed your mind.
The button will start the process of automatic installation of the operating system, during which the PC will restart 2-3 times. As a result, the computer will start with the new operating system.
If you choose the option with saving personal data, the Windows.old directory will appear on the system partition, where a copy of all the files of the previous Windows 10 is stored (for example, the contents of the desktop, the Downloads, My Documents directories).
Clean installation of "dozens" using the Refresh Windows Tool
One of the first Windows 10 August 2016 updates introduced the Refresh Windows Tool, which allows you to roll back the operating system or reinstall it while preserving user documents.
The utility copes with the rollback of the system in situations where the first method did not work for any reason.
1. As before, go to the recovery options.
2. In the last section, click on the icon "Learn how to start over with ...".
3. After that, the Microsoft website will open in the browser, where at the bottom you need to click: “Download tool now”.
4. After downloading, launch the application, agreeing to the terms of its use.
5. We choose the option to save personal information or set the method for deleting it, which we read in the previous section.
All other actions are carried out automatically.
The end of the process may be delayed due to many factors (computer performance, no fragmentation of files on the system volume, damage to some sectors of the system disk, a significant amount of saved information has been selected).
After booting a computer with clean Windows 10, it is useful to perform the following procedure:
- call the command interpreter Win + R;
- enter "cleanmgr";
- execute the command;
- Click on the "Clean up system files" icon.
As a result, you can free up to 23 GB or more of disk space.
Reset the system when it does not start
In the section, we will look at how to reset Windows 10 if it refuses to boot. This is where the motherboard or laptop manufacturer's tools, or a bootable flash drive or system recovery disk, come in handy.
For devices whose users acquired licensed Windows 10 at the time of purchase of the computer, there is an elementary method to reset it. This is the use of a combination of certain keys to roll back the device.
In most cases, when a system rollback is required, the computers were not purchased with a licensed "ten", so you will need a recovery disk / flash drive. It needs to boot into recovery mode.
1. Starting in the recovery environment, click on the search and troubleshoot item.
4. In the operating system selection menu, select Windows 10.
5. If you are sure of your actions, click on the icon "Return the computer to its original state."
6 After we get acquainted with the list of actions that will be done in automatic mode.
This is the removal of applications, resetting the system settings to factory settings, followed by the installation of Windows 10.
7. Click "Revert to original state" if you are sure that the operation is necessary.
This will start the system recovery process, which is followed by a computer restart.
Tip: if you changed the BIOS settings to boot from bootable media (changed the priority of boot devices), change their order back.
Possible problems resetting Windows 10
It happens that when you try to roll back the “top ten” to its original state and restart the computer, a window appears with the text “There was a problem when returning the computer to its original state. Changes have not been made." The error indicates problems with the resume files located in the WinSxS directory (they are damaged, missing, or have been modified by the build author). If, after an unsuccessful attempt, the “ten” starts up properly, be sure to check the system files for integrity, and check the hard drive for bad sectors.
If all else fails, perform a clean installation of the operating system, remembering to take care of important information on the system drive.
The second common mistake is a request to insert a CD (flash drive) with the operating system installation files. For these cases, the Refresh Windows Tool was developed, which was discussed in the second section of the current article. Also, the solution may be to use a flash drive / disk with Windows 10 installation files of the same bit depth and edition as the operating system installed on the computer.
The second option for the algorithm of actions, if it was not possible to return the operating system to its previous state due to the lack of media with recovery files, is to register your own image with a snapshot of the system to resume it. But at the same time, the “ten” should work properly, because operations are carried out in its environment.
- Download the disk image file from Windows 10.
- We mount it through the virtual drive emulation tool and copy the “install.wim” file located in the “sources” directory to the “ResetRecoveryImage” folder created on any partition other than the system partition.
- Instead of a physical drive emulator, you can use any archiver.
- Run the command line with administrator privileges and enter a command like "reagentc /setosimage /path "D:\ResetRecoveryImage" /index 1", where the path to the directory created in the third step is "D:\".
These actions create and register the system's recovery image.
After the successful completion of the operations, we restart the automatic reinstallation of Windows 10, having previously called it a backup copy. This will speed up the process of returning to the current state of the OS in case of problems.
If you have any questions, other problems or new solutions, feel free to write about it in the comments.
Many users ask the question: how to reset the BIOS to factory settings? I’ll answer right away, there are no factory settings in the BIOS as such. It all depends on the firmware version. But there is still some truth in the question. Let's see what the point is.
Thanks to the BIOS, we can configure the operation of the devices of our computer, regardless of whether it is a desktop computer or a laptop and which operating system is installed. How it will begin its work, from which the system will be booted first. We can increase the power of our personal computer (though at our own peril and risk, as this can lead to equipment failure) and change the operating modes of our system.
But it happens that over time we forget where and in which sections we made changes, or the changes did not improve the work, but vice versa. Therefore, there is a need to return the system to the optimal configuration, or make it the default in accordance with the firmware
To do this, go to the Exit section, this is the very last tab where we save our settings after changes. In return, save, select Load Setup Default (load the default settings), confirm by pressing OK and reboot the system. That's all.
Resetting the BIOS settings will allow you to return it to the factory state, depriving all user and other settings. Often, such a step can solve many computer problems.
There are three ways to reset to factory settings: through the BIOS menu, through the computer's motherboard, and using the motherboard's battery. Each method will lead to the same result, but their implementation is fundamentally different.
Reset BIOS through its menu
Log in to BIOS. If you do not know which key on your computer is responsible for entering this settings menu, we cannot answer 100%, since different keys can be used for different motherboards and BIOS versions. However, as practice shows, most often F1, F2 or Del can act as a hot key. To find out which button is in your case, you can only empirically.
To do this, send the computer to reboot or just turn it on. As soon as the computer starts to turn on, you will need to repeatedly and quickly press the key responsible for entering the BIOS (for a faster result, you can alternately and also quickly press all three of the keys we have listed). If you failed to enter the BIOS with one button or another, you will need to try again using a different key this time.
Entering the BIOS, we need to open the menu responsible for resetting the settings. Again, for different versions of the BIOS, the menu item we need can be called differently and be located in a completely different place, for example, in older BIOS versions, the main screen may contain items that contain the word “Defaults”, for example, “Load Optimized Defaults", which allows you to reset the settings to optimized ones, or "Load Fail-Safe Defaults", which will reset the settings to eliminate failures. By choosing a similar option, you just have to agree with the further procedure and wait for it to end.
On more modern BIOS versions, which are usually found on laptops, for our task you will need to open the "Exit" tab, where you will need to select an item like "Load Setup Defaults".
And, finally, the most modern BIOS versions (UEFI), which already support working with a mouse, and also have a more pleasant looking interface, can return the factory settings in the “Save and Exit” tab, where the “Load Defaults” item is located.
Reset BIOS via motherboard
This method is suitable if in your case the BIOS does not start. It is not particularly difficult, however, here we already need to look under the case of the system unit.
Turn off the computer and be sure to turn off the power by limiting the power supply with a special button on the back of the system unit.
Open the case of the system unit. Having found the motherboard, you will need to find a jumper (jumper) on it, which, as a rule, is located next to the battery. As a rule, such a jumper is signed with the word "CMOS".
In most cases, the jumper is equipped with two or three contacts. If there are two pins, then you only need to move the jumper for a few seconds to the second position (15 will be enough), and if there are three pins, the jumper should be moved to the second pin.
At the end of the procedure, you will need to hold down the computer's power button for 15 seconds (the computer will not turn on because it is not powered).
After completing all the steps, return the computer to its previous state, that is, assemble the system unit case, and then provide power to the computer.
Reset BIOS via battery on motherboard
The third way to return the BIOS to the factory settings, which will also require "implementation" under the system unit case.
Turn off the power to the computer by moving the button to the "0" position on the back of the system unit.
Open the case of the system unit. On the motherboard you will find a small battery.
Try to carefully remove the battery for 15-30 seconds, and then replace it. Such an action will cause the BIOS to be reset.
Please note that some motherboards are equipped with non-removable batteries, so if you do not know which battery is in your case, proceed with the utmost care (to remove, it is often enough to press a special latch).
Reassemble the system case, and then return power to the computer.
Each of the presented methods is guaranteed to cope with the task. Which method to use is up to you, based on the type of problem, your skills and preferences.
