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JoshuaPK

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5 years ago

J

JoshuaPK

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33 Posts

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September 26th, 2021 12:00

How can I reset Windows 10 Pro without re-imaging the main partition?

I have a spare e7450 that I'm getting ready to sell.  When I first got this computer, I basically made a bit-for-bit image of the SSD before I used it.  When I decided to sell, I rewrote that image back to the SSD.  I found that it would not boot, so I changed boot mode to Legacy.  Lo and Behold, it did boot, but it re-imaged the drive from the restore partition.  Sadly it re-imaged a fresh Windows Pro with no drivers.  I went through the whole setup process and verified that the Windows install knows that it is activated.

Is there a way that I can install all of the Dell drivers, and the nVidia driver, and then "clean it up" so that upon next boot it starts fresh with that original "Hi this is Cortana let's get you set up" screen?

Better yet, is there a way I can also re-create that Restore partition, such that if the user decides to restore it at some point in the future, it is restored with the Dell and nVidia drivers?