Almost all Windows users install and test new software, games, etc regularly in their computer systems. There are also many customization lovers who love to install new themes, transformation packs in their computer to change Windows look-n-feel.
Many times when we install such kind of things, our computer system starts slowing down and we start facing problems and random error messages. Sometimes it might be due to a missing or corrupt system file or an incorrect Registry value. Many times we can fix these kind of problems by uninstalling those problematic software or transformation packs as given here and here but sometimes reinstalling Windows might be the last option to do.
Formatting hard disk and reinstalling a fresh Windows is the ultimate solution to fix almost all PC problems but it requires some expertise and valuable time because you'll need to first install Windows and then you'll have to reinstall all device drivers, favorite software, games, etc. Oh yeah, you'll also need to customize all your settings again.
If you are using the new Windows 8 OS, here is something interesting information for you. Although many Windows 8 users might be aware of this built-in feature but there are many people who don't know about it. So today in this tutorial, we are going to share simple steps and information about a cool built-in feature of Windows 8 which helps you in reinstalling or repairing Windows quickly and easily.
Actually Microsoft has introduced 2 new features in Windows 8 which are called:
- Reset PC
- Refresh PC
How to Use "Reset PC" Option in Windows 8?
"Reset PC" feature is similar to "Reset to Default" or "Restore Factory Settings" feature found in mobiles and tablets. This feature removes everything from your PC and reinstalls Windows 8 from scratch. So if you use this feature, make sure to take a backup of your important data first.
Reset PC option deletes everything from your computer including personal documents, settings and Metro style apps. It first formats the hard drive partition and then reinstalls fresh Windows. Once you use this option, you'll get absolute new Windows as you got it when you purchased your computer or when you installed Windows 8 for first time.
To use this option, follow these simple steps:
1. Move your mouse cursor to top-right corner to show Charms Bar. Alternatively, you can press Win+C keys together to access it.
2. Now click on Settings and then click on "Change PC settings" option.
3. It'll open new Metro Control Panel screen. Click on "General" tab and in right-side pane, you'll see "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" option.
4. Click on "Get started" button and Windows will show you Reset PC wizard.
5. Just follow the instructions given on screen and your Windows 8 computer will reset to default settings i.e. it'll reinstall Windows from scratch.
How to Use "Refresh PC" Option in Windows 8?
If you are facing problems in Windows 8 but don't want to reset everything to default, then "Refresh PC" option will help you. It doesn't remove everything from your PC. It reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files, settings and Metro style apps, so you'll not lose them if you use this option.
You don't need to worry about your personal data and apps, "Refresh PC" option will automatically take care of them. It first copies your data to a different location and then reinstalls Windows from scratch. After reinstalling Windows, it restores the copied data. So after using this option you'll have a brand new Windows 8 OS along with your personal data and settings.
To use this feature, follow these simple steps:
1. Similar to "Reset PC" option, "Refresh PC" option is also present in new Metro Control Panel screen. So first follow the same 1-3 steps given above to access "General" tab present in PC Settings screen.
2. Now in right-side pane, look for "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" option.
3. Click on "Get started" button and Windows will show the Refresh PC wizard.
4. Follow the instructions given on screen and it'll repair Windows without removing your files, settings and apps.
How to Use "Reset PC" or "Refresh PC" Options When Your Computer Can't Boot?
Now one question arises if your Windows 8 computer can't boot, how will you access "Reset PC" or "Refresh PC" options to reinstall or repair Windows 8? Here is the answer!
Windows 8 allows you to use both these options from troubleshooting screen as well which is shown when Windows 8 can't boot. Its a part of the new advanced boot loader or advances startup screen introduced in Windows 8. You can read more about it in following topic:
How to Access and Use Windows 8 Metro Boot Loader and Advanced Boot Options?
So we can say that Reset and Refresh PC options are really very useful features present in Windows 8. Did you know about them? Have you tried them in past? Feel free to share your feedback and experience about them in your comment...
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Troubleshooting, Windows 8
sky
very useful tips for those who are new in w8 and like to try new software. but there I wanted to ask, can reset and refresh feature is used if it fails when booting on w8. as in the tutorial above seems to be used when w8 it has been running perfectly.
thank you
sky
sorry ...., I'm less careful in reading your article. just ignore my question earlier
sorry ...
Markus
Thank you so much VG for this article. Very useful.
Omega Man
I knew about these features but well written article. Thanks for your all tips. :)
zydrius32
"Have you tried them in past?"
Yeah, I used "Refresh PC" many times, because I got 'black screen' at logon plenty of times. -.-
Sam
Hi Vishal,
Will we loose the activation if we refresh the PC?
And is there any specific number of times that we can refresh the PC before loosing the activation?
zydrius32
@Sam
You won't loose the activation, I tested that. And why there should be a specific number for times to refresh PC without loosing activation? e_e
Pushkar Gogte
@Sam You Will Lose activation only if you change your PC/Laptop Config
Hubert
Does the product key remain activated?!
Kyle
@Hubert,
yes, it has already been asked and answered
Daniel
I used the refresh option but on my system has removed all the applications and I had to reinstall all from the beginning but after the refresh the system created a list for all these to know exactly what to reinstall.
Martin
Very useful info, been playing around with these two features for the last couple of weeks, and I have to say it's changes like this that are tempting me to move Windows 8 from my test machine to my main machine, we'll see.....
maxdamage
Why did Win 7 not have this feature or was because MS was already working on win 8?Thats one of the main reasons I did not want to upgrade from win xp pro to win 7 since it doesn't have that feature and I don't want to upgrade to win 8 as it is not that good at all. :( It seems I have to stay with win xp for a while longer... :(
Someone
In Release Preview, it was accessible from desktop Control Panel too. Looks like they removed it in RTM. :)
Ashwani
Hello, i recently downloaded windows8 transformation pack.it changed 'start' icon. But this icon is still there even when i've uninstalled the 'transformation pack'. How can i change 'start icon' to default? Plz help me.
Ashwani
I'm using win7 home basic.
VG
^^ It seems the Explorer.exe file was not restored thats why you are getting new Start button icon. You'll need to manually restore default files. Check following tutorial:
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-or-uninstall-3rd-party-transformation-packs-in-windows/
Ashwani
Bt i dn't hv windows cd.will thr b any prblm i change files.
moorpipe
Does a reset really clear everything or just the volume on which the OS resides? So, if I move all my personal stuff to a non-OS volume, let's say D:, and run reset my OS drive, let's say C:, everything on C: is gone and stuff on my D: remains intact?
Thanks!
maxdamage
@VG
You should also mention that any app that requires online activation should be de-authorized before going through either of these options if you can do so.
azz
hey VG, i used refresh PC option in windows 8, but when its done i lost all installed programs. how the hell does it happen???
VG
^^ Refresh PC option keeps the Metro apps not 3rd party software programs.
Rumbin
I lost app tilesand i cant see them in all apps. There is a way to restore it?
VG
^^ Please check following:
http://www.askvg.com/how-to-restore-accidentally-uninstalled-built-in-apps-in-windows-8/
CHINYERE
my windows 8 pro is booting only up to start screen and could not go past it. no other icon is working. not even desktop tile. am stranded.
Chy
Does anyone know what to do about my earlier comment? the refresh PC step is not working on my PC
VG
^^ You can boot using Windows 8 setup disc and repair the installation.