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Restoring Windows 8 Operating System on a Dell Computer

Summary: Dell Backup and Recovery allows you to restore your computer to its original configuration. You can view information on this service in this article and also find out about our media backup page. ...

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Instructions

Get restore media

If you need to get media to repair or restore your operating system to its original factory image, visit the Media Backup page to get information on creating recovery discs from your Dell computer or downloading an image online.


Using Dell Backup and Recovery

Dell Backup and Recovery allows you to restore your computer to its original configuration. You can view information on this service on the Dell Back-up and Recovery site. You can also make a backup of your computer system. You can use that backup to restore your operating system to that point or to recover your personal date including photos, videos, documents, and music.

To restore your system to its original configuration:

  1. If you have made a Dell Backup and Recovery tile, just click on that tile and go to step 5.
  2. Click on the Windows Desktop tile.
  3. Swipe from the right or move the mouse to a right-hand corner to open the Charms bar and then click Search.
  4. Click Apps and find Dell Backup and Recovery, then click on that icon.
  5. On the Dell Backup and Recovery screen, click Recovery.
  6. On the left side of the screen, click System Recovery, then click Yes, Continue and choose Factory Image from the list.
  7. Click Restart and follow the appropriate directions.

To backup your system or your data:

  1. If you have made a Dell Backup and Recovery tile, just click on that tile and go to step 5.
  2. Click on the Windows Desktop tile.
  3. Swipe from the right or move the mouse to a right-hand corner to open the Charms bar and then click Search.
  4. Click Apps and find Dell Backup and Recovery, then click on that icon.
  5. On the Dell Backup and Recovery screen, click Backup.
  6. You may choose between a System Backup which will allow you to recover the entire operating system, a Data Backup which allows you to restore your personal data, or a Cloud Data Backup which allows you to store your data backup in the Dell Cloud, rather than taking up your own storage space.
  7. The page allows you to set up scheduled backups and choose where those backups will be stored.
  8. When you have all the options set the way you wish, click Backup Now and follow the appropriate directions.

To restore your system or data to an earlier backup:

  1. If you have made a Dell Backup and Recovery tile, just click on that tile and go to step 5.
  2. Click on the Windows Desktop tile.
  3. Swipe from the right or move the mouse to a right-hand corner to open the Charms bar and then click Search.
  4. Click Apps and find Dell Backup and Recovery, then click on that icon.
  5. On the Dell Backup and Recovery screen, click Recovery.
  6. If you wish to do a system recovery, choose that option and then select the backup you wish to restore from the list.
  7. If you wish to do a data recovery, choose that option and then click Yes, Continue.
  8. Choose the backup you wish to restore from the list. Follow the appropriate directions.

Using the Windows System Restore option

Windows can return your computer system to an earlier point before changes were made. You can create a system restore point manually but Windows should also create one automatically when you make changes to the computer's software.

  • To create a System Restore Point:
    1. Change the Windows 8 display to the traditional Windows desktop.
    2. Swipe from the right or move the moust to a right-hand corner to open the Charms bar, then click Settings.
    3. Click Control Panel.
    4. Click System and Security and then click on the Action Center.
    5. At the lower right of the Action Center window, click Recovery.
    6. Click Configure System Restore and click Create.
    7. Type in a name for this restore point and click Create.
  • To restore your system to a previously created System Restore Point:
    1. Change the Windows 8 display to the traditional Windows desktop.
    2. Swipe from the right or move the moust to a right-hand corner to open the Charms bar, then click Settings.
    3. Click Control Panel.
    4. Click System and Security and then click on the Action Center.
    5. At the lower right of the Action Center window, click Recovery.
    6. Click Open System Restore and click Next.
    7. Click on the restore point you wish to use.

In the event that System Restore did not resolve the issue, you may undo the last system restore:

  1. Change the Windows 8 display to the traditional Windows desktop.
  2. Swipe from the right or move the moust to a right-hand corner to open the Charms bar, then click Settings.
  3. Click Control Panel.
  4. Click System and Security and then click on the Action Center.
  5. At the lower right of the Action Center window, click Recovery.
  6. Click Open System Restore and you will have the option to undo the last system restore.

Using Windows automatic recovery options

If there was a problem with the Windows operating system, Windows will attempt to perform automatic system recovery when you re-boot the computer. This process may take several minutes but will often repair problems that occurred with the operating system. Allow the process to run and respond to the on-screen prompts as needed.

Additional Information

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Last Published Date

05 Jan 2024

Version

4

Article Type

How To