Windows 8 is an epitome of advanced technology in the crowd of operating systems, designed either for computers (desktops, laptops) or for tablets and Smartphones. It only became possible with Windows 8 that the same ordinary computers with touch-based functionality can work just like tablets, Smartphones, and other such smart devices. Microsoft has not only introduced new features in Windows 8 but has also improved some old utilities to help it perform better and give users more control on it.
System restore is one of such features which Microsoft has improved (rather improvised) to offer users more control on their computer settings, files, and programs etc. without the help of their computer manufacturers’ media (OEMs). Before Windows 8, only OEMs has had offered this option (restoring factory settings) to users on Windows-based computers. However, Microsoft handed over this control to users’ to enable them to completely wipe out their hard drives and restore their computers to factory settings without using the OEM disks. Great! Hence proved, that things have really changed.
Microsoft has renamed the System Restore (factory restore) feature to Reset in Windows 8. The System Restore Point which was used to roll back the changes and restore a computer to earlier date (time) has also been renamed as Refresh. So, now we have Reset and Refresh features in Windows 8 in place of factory defaults restore and restore point.
So let’s discuss about the Reset feature which you can use to securely blow out everything on your computer and reinstall Windows 8 afresh, and if desired you can sell it off further like a fresh system and make good money. I’ll leave that to you. Tap the Charms bar and tap Settings on it. If you don’t know how to bring up the Charms bar, press the Windows + C hotkey combination. The bar will show up instantly.
Tap or click Change PC settings at the bottom of the sidebar. On the PC Settings screen, click General in the left hand pane> click Get started under Remove everything and reinstall Windows. The Reset your PC screen pops now indicating what will happen to your computer settings and files if you proceed with the action. Click Next to proceed.
Here on the next screen, Windows 8 seeks your prompt to choose an option from Just remove my files and Fully clean the drive (both the options are self-explanatory). Click to select an option. On the Ready to reset your PC screen, Windows 8 shows a last-minute-before-reset message. If you want to proceed with the action, click Reset or else click Cancel if you want to drop your decision. That’s it and your computer will now wipe out your settings and files etc. and restore the default factory settings as if Windows 8 came straight out of the box for the first time.
You can choose to back up your files before you proceed with the Reset action. If you want to simply remove the recently installed programs but want to keep your personalized settings, you can go with the Refresh option. The feature will help you retain your personalized settings and Windows Store apps and remove all disk-installed and third-party apps (which were not downloaded from Windows Store) and restore your PC settings to defaults.
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