Problem when returning the PC to its original state. What does it mean to return the computer to its original state? Problems appeared after installing a new program

The new version of Windows OS, like any other in this family, sometimes produces errors. But the problems that appear in the “top ten” are not critical, and the software itself has its own set of tools and tools that allow you to restore functionality. So, how to restore the “ten” after a failure, using only the internal mechanisms of the operating system itself is the topic of the article.

System Restore

If you installed or deactivated a program incorrectly, made an incorrect entry in the registry, or updated the software and received a crash, operating system can be restored using a special function.

With its help, previous, workable settings of the registry and system files are returned. The system is restored from a checkpoint saved when the computer was working stably.

In the “ten”, saving such recovery points is provided once a week in automatic mode and before applications, drivers, OS updates are installed. The user can create a control point manually.

Procedure

To run the OS recovery feature, follow these three steps:

You can restore the system even when the “top ten” does not boot. If the computer cannot boot, you will see the following picture:


IN " Additional options Actions" the user is asked to choose a solution. Click on "Diagnostics".


And then click on “OS Recovery”.


You will see the same window and can select one of the save points. Follow the instructions of the recovery wizard and wait until the procedure is completed.

Restoring your computer to its original state

If the system cannot be restored using a save point for working parameters or they do not exist (cannot be created), it is necessary to return it to the state with the original settings.

Restoring Windows 10 to initial state can be done:

  1. With the condition that user content and some pre-installed applications will be saved. But all programs that you installed, operating system and driver settings will be deleted.
  2. With the condition that no user data and settings will be saved. You will receive a clean operating system, just like after reinstallation.

Important information! If your PC, laptop or computer has the factory (from the manufacturer) “ten” installed, you have a third option - return the original, clean settings. The system will delete all user information and content of all hard sections disk.

How to reset Windows 10 to its original state

To return the previous “ten” settings, follow these five steps:

Step 1 From the Start menu, click Settings.


Step 2 Find “Update & Security” in the list.


Step 3 “Click on “Recovery”.


Step 4 Return your computer to its original state by clicking “Start”.


Step 5 Here you will be given two options to choose from. In the first, you can save all your information, and in the second, you can delete it accordingly.


It will take up to an hour for the operating system to return to its original parameters and settings.

Rollback to a previous version of the system (Windows 7 or 8)

This method can be used by those who upgraded to “ten”, having “seven” or “eight”. But if a system failure occurs a month after the update, this option is no longer available. If less than a month has passed, you can rollback and return to the “old” version of the operating system.

Any updates to the "tens" will be deleted, but personal information stored in folders, and all programs, drivers and settings of the "seven"/"eight" will be retained.

To roll back the operating system (go to a previous version), find the Settings tab in the Start menu. In it you need to select the “Update and Security” item, and then the “Recovery” function. Here you can return to the “seven” or “eight” by pressing the corresponding button.


If the item is missing on your computer, you will not be able to roll back (this means that more than a month has passed since the transition to new version operating system, or you deleted the Windows.old folder from the system directory).

Reinstalling Windows 10 from a recovery disc

For those who took care of a recovery disk in advance, this method will be relevant. After a successful update, it is better to save (copy) the operating system to disk so that after a failure you can easily return to working settings.

To create a recovery drive, follow these two steps:

Step 1 Connect the disk or flash drive to your computer.

Step 2 In the "Recoveries" section, select "Create a recovery disk" and complete all the steps.


Store the operating system recording securely, and do not use the flash drive for other purposes.

How to restore Windows 10 from a backup

If the computer boots, you can return it to its original state. To do this, in “Options” you need to open the “Recovery” tab. Loaded into recovery mode, open Diagnostics and restore the operating system image.



Next, connect the media with the backup a copy of Windows 10 and follow the instructions:
  • Select the OS image with the desired date.
  • If necessary, you can use additional options, for example, format the disk.
  • Agree to roll back the system and wait until the procedure is completed.
The operating system will automatically be restored to the form in which it was working when the backup was created, preserving all user content: settings, programs, personal data.

Windows 10 boot repair

The tens bootloader is launched in the same way, from a flash drive.

The procedure is as follows:

If startup is not restored in automatic mode, overwrite the bootloader and partition files manually by performing two steps:

How to restore Windows 10 system files

Team /scannow will launch special utility SFC.exe, which will restore protected operating system files. The utility first scans and then corrects all errors. The procedure will take up to 45 minutes.


At the end of the procedure, you can see all the damage repaired by the utility in the “Logs” folder of the system partition.

Resetting Windows 10 will allow you to use recovery to return your computer to its original state that it had when the system was installed. Using the built-in system tool, you can return your computer to its original state in the Windows 10 operating system (Windows 8.1, Windows 8).

Reset Windows settings 10 will help restore the system if problems and malfunctions occur in the computer, from which any user is not immune. If problems arise, you must try to restore the operating system to functionality in order not to lose personal data, or vice versa, in some cases, it is better to start with a “clean slate”, leaving all problems with the PC in the past.

The user has several options Windows recovery:

  • Recover your system using restore checkpoints.
  • Restoring Windows from a backup during archiving.
  • Reset settings to their original state (with or without saving personal files).

The method of restoring Windows using the system is not always successful. Most users do not use, with which they can restore the system and other data. Therefore, the user is left with the most radical way to start all over again - reinstalling Windows.

Installation (reinstallation) of Windows usually takes place using bootable flash drive or DVD with a recorded operating system image. In many cases, you can do without using external connected devices (USB flash drive or DVD), since the system has the necessary tool.

Resetting Windows 10 to factory settings is performed directly from the operating system. You can return Windows to its original state using 3 options:

  • Reinstalling Windows 10 while keeping or deleting personal files.
  • Restore systems using custom boot options.
  • Installing a clean Windows using advanced recovery options.

These options differ slightly from each other when used, but the result in all cases is the same: you will receive a clean reinstalled Windows 10, with personal files saved or without personal data saved, depending on the selected settings during recovery.

Now let's see how to reset Windows 10 in different ways.

How to reset Windows 10 to its original state

In the “Recovery” section, in the “Restore the computer to its original state” setting, click on the “Start” button.

After this, the “Select Action” window will open. Here you need to select options for returning your computer to its original state. There are two options to choose from:

  • Keep my files - removes programs and settings while preserving personal files.
  • Remove everything - removes programs, settings and personal files.

In the first case, you will receive a clean operating system, with some of your personal data saved. In the second case, returning the PC to its original state will lead to the installation of a completely “clean” Windows 10.

Select the desired setting.

Reset Windows 10 while keeping personal files

After selecting the “Keep my files” option, a window will open with information about the programs to be removed. After restoring the computer to its original state, remote applications will need to be reinstalled on your computer. List remote programs will be saved on your computer desktop in an HTML file (opens in a browser).

In the "Ready to reset this computer" window, you will see information about the following consequences:

  • All applications and programs will be removed.
  • The operating system settings will return to default values.
  • Windows will be reinstalled without deleting personal data.

To start the process of returning Windows 10 to its original state, click on the “Reset” button.

Return Windows 10 to its original state by deleting all personal files

After selecting the "Erase everything" option, a window will open asking "Are you sure you want to also wipe the drives?"

Here you need to choose one of two options:

  • Just delete my files - deletes files from disk.
  • Delete files and clean up disk - remove files from disk, clean up disk from deleted files.

If you continue to use this computer, choose the first option, which will take much less time to reinstall the OS.

The second option involves not only deleting files from the disk, but also erasing the space where the deleted files were located. In this case, another user of this computer, if you plan to sell or give away the PC, will not be able to recover your deleted files.

Keep in mind that the disk cleanup process can take many hours. Therefore, it makes sense to choose the first option in order not to stretch out the OS reinstallation for several hours. Then, if necessary, you can clear the disk of previously deleted files, without the possibility of restoring them, using third party programs, for example , etc.

After selecting the "Just delete my files" option, the "You're ready to reset this computer" window will open. When resetting, the following will be deleted on this computer:

  • All personal files and user accounts.
  • All programs and applications.
  • All changes made to the parameters.

Click on the "Continue" button.

Reset Windows 10 through special boot options

Go to the "Recovery" section, in the " Special options download" click on the "Restart now" button.

After restarting the PC, the Windows RE recovery environment will open, in which you need to select the “Troubleshooting” option.

In the Diagnostics window, select the Reset your computer option.

The “Reset the computer to its original...” window offers two options for resetting the operating system:

  • Removing settings and programs while saving personal files.
  • Delete applications, settings and personal files.

Select the desired option.

If you select “Delete everything”, after restarting the PC, the “Reset the computer to its original state” window will open, in which you must select the method of deleting files (simple deletion or complete cleaning disk).

Above in the article I already discussed the differences between these two options.

In the next window, click on the “Restore the computer to its original state” button.

Windows 10 will then begin to return to its original state.

Clean Installation of Windows Using Advanced Recovery Options

In the "Recovery" section, in the "Advanced recovery options" setting, click on the link "Learn how to start over with a clean installation of Windows."

In the window asking “Did you want to switch apps?” that tries to open Windows Defender Security Center, click on the “Yes” button.

Here the user is prompted to start with a clean installation and Windows updates. Personal files and some Windows settings will be saved, and most of the applications will be deleted, including the package Microsoft Office, third-party antiviruses and classic applications pre-installed on your computer. Only applications included in the standard distribution of the operating system will remain on the PC; Windows will be updated to the latest version.

Deleted programs will have to be reinstalled after a clean installation of Windows. Microsoft recommends doing backup copy important data so as not to lose the necessary information. Save the licenses and keys you will need for activation software, after new installation applications.

Click on the “Get Started” button.

Agree to launch Security Center Windows Defender. In the “Start Again” window, click on the “Next” button.

The "Your apps will be removed" window shows the apps that will need to be reinstalled. Click on the "Next" button.

In the “Let’s get started” window, click on the “Get Started” button.

After some time, a clean, reinstalled Windows will load on your computer’s desktop.

The previous version of the operating system will be saved on the “C” drive in the “Windows.old” folder, which can be removed from the computer so that it does not take up extra disk space. Read more about deleting the “Windows.old” folder.

Conclusions of the article

If problems arise with the computer, the user can use the system tool to reset Windows 10 to its original state: reinstall the system by performing a clean Windows installation with or without saving personal files, without using a bootable flash drive or installation DVD.

Experienced PC and Internet user

Hopefully, users have observed the factory reset feature on many systems. Windows 10 also has a similar option. This event is being held due to the inability to get rid of problems associated with Windows. Most often these include: slow work systems, damage to system data and the impossibility of their recovery, blue screens BSOD deaths and much more. possible in order to bring the computer into working condition. This can be done in two ways - with saving files and without saving files. In this article I will talk about both methods.

The method for storing personal data consists of the following steps.

On Windows 10 of any edition, you need to go to System Settings. This is done by pressing keys on the keyboard - Win + I. After opening the window, go to the section "Update and Security".

On the left side of the window we find the “Recovery” subsection. There is an option there "Return the computer to its original state". Click the button next to this item "Begin".


A blue window with actions will open. In this case you need to choose "Save my personal data". Thus, programs and other installed utilities and files located on the desktop should remain. That's how it was for me. There is an opinion that programs are deleted, but this should not be so because when reset they are only restored system files.


After pressing the button, wait for the computer to prepare for recovery.


A window may appear asking you to remove some programs. Unfortunately, we can only agree.


The next section will list the actions that will be performed during a system reset to factory settings. Click on the “Next” button.


The process of restoring Windows 10 to its original state is underway. All you have to do is wait while drinking tea or coffee.


The Windows logo and an inscription about returning the PC to its original state will appear on a black background.


After the reset, you will see your usual desktop and, hopefully, a completely working system without errors or system lags.

How to reset Windows 10 part 2

Here we will talk about returning your computer to its original state without saving personal data. Let's go!

Open the “Recoveries” subsection, as I described at the beginning of the material and click the “Start” button. A window appears where we are asked to select an action. Now select “Delete everything”.


The preparation stage will go through again, and then a window will appear where we are offered to clean only system disk, and, of course, reinstall the OS, or delete files from all disks. I would choose the first option since I have a lot of important data on the second partition.



A window will appear again with a list of changes that will be made during the return to the factory state.

Prepare the system and complete the system reset process.

What to do if Windows 10 won't boot and how to reset it

And here is the third part of the article, no less important. Here we will look at one important point. What to do if the system does not boot, how then can you return the system to its original state? But everything is actually simple and you will find out why.

Restoring to its original state is one of the system recovery options in Windows 8.1. It is advisable to use this function:

  • if you want to delete all your data and restore the computer to the state at the time of purchase;
  • when the computer cannot be restored in any other way.

What is the difference between resetting and reinstalling?

It differs in that you do not need to re-install drivers and enter serial number product. The recovery program will only fix problems in the system kernel and delete personal files.

How to reset Windows to its original state

Boot from installation disk Windows 8.1:

In the window Windows installation click Next:

Select an item Diagnostics:

Select Return to original state:

In most cases, there will only be one copy of the operating system on this list. If there are several of them, select the desired (or problematic) system that you want to restore:

At this point you have a choice: 1) clear only system partition; This option is suitable for you if your OS has become unusable and you want to restore it for further use. For a complete recovery, it is enough to restore only the system partition. 2) clean all computer disks if you have several. This option is suitable if you want to sell your computer and clear all data. Also, this option is desirable if you are restoring the system after a virus infection and have already saved all important documents to a flash drive.

In most cases, the option will do Just delete my files. This will give you a chance to recover some files. If you select the second option, the system will completely erase files to protect against recovery. This option will take much longer and is suitable if you are selling or giving away your old computer.

Click the button Return to original state to start the process of restoring Windows to its original state:

After this, wait until the progress reaches 100% and the system restores its original state:

After resetting the operating system, the computer will behave as if you had just installed the operating system on it (or as if you had just brought home new computer with WIndows 8.1 pre-installed). Select your region, language, time zone and keyboard layout:

Accept the license terms:

Select a color, name your computer, and click Next:


Login to your account Microsoft. To do this, you will need a hotmail.com login and password:

The system will request confirmation via mobile phone or mail. Complete the required steps:

Enter the received code:

At this point, you have the choice of either copying all settings and apps from the Microsoft Store,

or set up your computer as new:


Restoring Windows 10 is the process of returning the OS to a working state. You can restore the OS to its original state, or you can restore the system to a specific date. In this article, we will tell you all the ways to restore Windows 10. There are many ways, but you need to choose only one that matches your problem. Therefore, we have divided all recovery methods according to the problems that these methods cope with.

Problems appeared after installing a new program

If Windows system 10 didn't start working in the best possible way after installing new software, you need to restore from a restore point. This service is only available if you have created a restore point. Therefore, before installing suspicious software, we recommend that you manually create a restore point. If you haven’t done this, and problems have already arisen, then we recommend going to the computer’s recovery options and finding the restore point that is closest in date.


Of course, this method will only help if the problems really started because of the new software. Sometimes it's just a coincidence. And users begin to pay more attention to system behavior and problems in Windows 10 only after installing new software. But in fact, problems could have existed long before that. In this case, it is worth carrying out a full diagnosis, because A classic system restore will not help solve the problem.

The computer won't start

If yesterday the computer was still working, but today the device does not start, then the first thing you need to determine is the reason. Perhaps you simply do not have electricity or one of your computer parts has failed. If you are sure that everything is fine in terms of hardware, or you simply do not know how to check it, then you can resort to reverting to the previous state.


To restore a “dead” computer, you need to start from a flash drive. To do this, you will need a Windows 10 recovery image. You must create this image yourself while the system is still running. If you did not create such an image, and the computer does not start, then use a clean version of Windows 10. In this case, you will have to create a bootable USB flash drive, and start from it. The system itself will offer you to restore the OS installed on your computer.


In this case, you can recover without losing data. If the system is so damaged that recovery is not available even from a recovery image, then there is only one thing left - reinstalling the system. Please note that if you cannot even get into the BIOS, this means that you really have hardware problems. In this case, the tools available in Windows 10 will not help you; you need to sort out your computer.

Deleting personal data

One type of system recovery is deleting personal data. This tool should not be confused with a factory reset. In this case, you are not removing updates or global settings from your computer. You only delete all personal data. To do this, you just need to go to the “Return this computer to its original state” tab, and there select “Delete everything” and confirm deleting files and cleaning the disk. Many files available on the HDD will be deleted, but you will get a clean computer.


This recovery method does not solve computer problems in any way. It only deletes personal data. This is necessary, for example, if you want to give or sell your computer to another person.

An error occurred while resetting the computer

If the error occurred when returning the computer to its original state, that is, at the moment when you tried to restore the system, then you have only two options left:
  • Restore the OS from a clean build of Windows 10;
  • Reinstall Windows 10;
These two options differ in that in the first case you will save your data. And in the second case, you will lose them. Certainly, we're talking about only about the system disk. Most often, drive C. But if this is the only partition on your hard drive, then you will lose absolutely all information.

Return to previous OS version

Previously, we wrote how to delete the Windows.old folder. If you have already taken our advice and deleted this folder, then returning to the previous OS is only available by complete reinstallation. If you still have this folder, then you can use the official revert tool previous version OS, which is called that way, is located in the OS settings.