Alienware 17 R4 Dell Stock Image Recovery Restore

Little did I know this was a fully Windows 10 Home Stock image and I lost all my Alienware software swag. 

Right. I think your one chance to save all that is gone now.

You might have saved it all by using the in-place Reset Recovery. That might have clean-installed from the Dell Recovery Partition (and saved all the pre-installed Alienware stuff).

https://community.dell.com/message/63214

There is also a "Recovery Media Creator" built-into Windows-10 that allows you to make a USB-Flash-Drive copy of it's "shipped software state", that can be later used as a bare-metal Recovery Drive. However, if you "clean installed Windows" instead ... that is likely either gone or diss-associated now.  

All you should be missing now is maybe:

Alienware wallpapers (easy to find)

Avatar pics (easy to find)

One Alienware Theme (not sure why Dell doesn't upload to Windows Theme repository)

With Windows 10, I don't think Alienware installs the "custom Windows BootScreen" any more (at least, my Aurora-R6 didn't have one). However, (if even possible) using 3rd party tool, I think it should be easy enough to embed your favorite.

Hi ‌,

Send me a private message with the service tag so I can assist you further.

and ran the Digital Delivery as well (which I felt didn't really install anything),

I think that is for (full application) Programs you might have purchased as "Digital Delivery" toward the bottom of the sales-config order page, when you bought your Alienware.

However, if you bought a pre-installed optical drive (DVD or Blu-Ray) I would be interested to hear if you find "CyberLink Media Suite" available there. 

I wonder at what stage does Alienware make customizations to the factory WindowsOS if there isn't a factory image with the Alienware customizations preinstalled. One would imagine a giant like Alienware/Dell to maintain and provide this all inclusive custom system image on the drivers page, based on service tags and not a generic OS installation (which you can get for free at Microsoft), so that you can go back to exactly how it was when you first hit that power button. At least that's what I thought before I shelled out a fortune on it. Alas! It's WindowsOS and not AlienwareOS

as91 wrote:

... if there isn't a factory image with the Alienware customizations preinstalled.

There is a customized Alienware factory Image with the software in a "as shipped" state. However, it's only on the main C: drive of each machine as a Recovery Partition. You just have to use it instead of doing a clean install. Or, before you accidentally erase it or de-associate it. Pretty sure there is a Utility or App to make a USB-Flash-Drive copy of it, that can be later used as a bare-metal Recovery Disc. 
 
Yes, I too remember those "ideal" scenarios as I have reloaded various (non-Dell) machines over the years. You might be surprised to see how other manufacturers handle it now-days. Things change ... including how Microsoft restricts the distribution of their OS by vendors.

I had the same problem restoring my Alienware m17 r4. The dumbasses at Alienware changed the industry standard of where the c and d drives go on the motherboard. C drive has always been pin  0 and D drive has always been pin 1. They have reversed and I was able to make a restoration cd off the computer. However it installs the operating system on Drive D instead of Drive C because of changing the pins and there is no way to change the drive in their old outdated and crappy BIOS. I have fought with Alienware since February 2017 and it is still not resolved. I took my computer to Microcenter, who is an approved Dell authorized repair store. They were able to restore the factory image by using start key and Ctrl or visa versa and it restored. However if the SSD C: drive ever fails I have not other way of retrieving my factory image. Making an image from the computer, off of Dell's website or having them mail you a usb recovery will not work. I have had to file a complaint with the BBB and still nothing is resolved. NOBODY from Dell headquarters in Round Rock, TX will ever talk to you, nor will you be able to contact them because all their phone number are unlisted. The only help you will get is from India where you have to explain your problem three times before they ever understand you and then they say its your fault or there is nothing we can do because your computer works fine. I spent $3300 on this damn computer and I will never buy another Dell/Alienware computer ever. I have spent $15,000 with them since 2010 and this is the treatment I get They should be kissing my ass and I will be hiring a lawyer. Alienware SUCKS.

Dude, I understand your frustration (being it's a new system and all) but if you are having that much trouble with provided Recovery solutions ... I suggest you just clean-install Windows-10/64bit with Microsoft.com ISO and get on with your life. There is likely even a downloadable ISO of Win-10 for you at support.dell.com .

Also, watch the language ... we like to keep posts civil and family-friendly around here. 

Haha we all have our different ways of venting it out I suppose. Anyway, my two cents as well having gone through this recently, there's absolutely no good that'll come out of contacting Dell or Alienware about this because the entire company/supply chain is just too big for their own good most of the time. I got rid of all the 'extras' Dell.com stock images/Alienware DUSB was giving me and simply wiped all partitions, got the latest ISO off Microsoft for Windows 10 Home, upgraded it to Pro, installed some AW specific things and the laptop is running much MUCH better now. Plus more free space, less clutter and no unwanted customizations which would also appear to be restrictions at times. My Creator's Update is too new for my system's good so it's been struggling with the Killer WiFi drivers and Razer Deathadder Elite drivers. But nothing that I cannot live with for the time being. Alienware reps around here, especially Rodrigo, is pretty active and courteous enough to follow up himself without you poking the stick too often. It's more than what I can expect from a giant really. Even Apple has its fair share of customer service issues. 

Alienware-Eimy‌allanh-SW2016micromedic-SW2016

I am having the same issues. I cant seem to get past this. What should I do?

If you've lost your OS that came with the system, there's absolutely no way of getting it back. Don't restore anything from Dell.com or DESB because they're both horrible. Your best bet is to download Windows straight off Microsoft and download all the Alienware customization and software from Dell Support

That is how I currently have it but I am missing a lot. I wanted to send Tha PC back because I paid 2700 dollars for it and it should have been this way in less than 4 months. I don't install crazy things in it and have only played some games. Alienware-Eimy‌ Alienware-Eimy‌can you help out with this? 

 I am having this same issue, is there a total restore disk/software that I can download to get all of my "bells and whistles" back? My issues was I did the update to creator and received a virus, I contacted Microsoft and they found corrupt files that couldn't be fixed. I had to do a factory wipe and re-install windows 10 and lost all of my Alienware software. I was able to download some of the software but I know that I am still missing a great deal. Please help!

So, I'm gonna seem super dumb but how do I PM you on this forum because I'm having the same issue and none of my function keys work my macro keys don't work and command center doesn't load

Hover the cursor over my username and hit Message. 

Don't worry. Messaging them isn't going to help much either.