How reliable is PC Restore using CTRL-F11?

You should backup files, such as in "My Documents", "My Pictures", "My Music"

Or any files you've added since you received the computer. Bookmarks is another one.

But of course, only backup files you do not want to lose.

It is a good idea to do backups on a regular basis. Hard drives can fail, become corrupted, and files can just "disappear", by accident, or by a virus.

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@briceman23 wrote:

I would like to restore my PC to its factory installed software.  It is recommended i backup certain files, however, i don't know which ones.  My PC is only a month old and therefore there isn't that much stored on it, basically just downloaded music and a Microsoft Money file.  Is there anything else I should backup?  As far as software installed, I installed a HP printer, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Money.  I am going to have to re-install all software, correct? Please help

If you use the PC Restore, the computer will be EXACTLY as it was when you opened the box.  No music, no Money file, no printer setup, no anything.  Just like you got it.

Backup the data you don't want to lose.  Any software that you installed AFTER you got the computer will have to be reinstalled, it cannot be backed up.

I too wanted to do this on an 8400 I recently received but it failed? I believe it was because my brother had tried installing the OS on that partition causing it to become corrupt! What a bummer, but Iwhen I had found out that Dell includes an exact image on an additional partition I was pleased and amazed of that! I just wish I could have accessed that before bro accidently got in there since when you install restore disc it only restores OS not entire system and you also have to choose the middle partition which I doubt he did, he probably just hit Enter thinking Dell would have the correct partition as default already setup.