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Toon Veldhorst

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4733

July 11th, 2013 14:00

Windows 8 factory clean

I've decided that i wanted to clean my computer..
So i think factory cleaning is the best option.. because ive got all my files that i wanted to keep on my laptop now..
But if i use this option will i need to buy the Windows 8 OS again?
Because when i bought this pc from the dell site, windows 8 was already installed.. so i had no OS disc or anything.

So to get it straight..
Do i need to buy windows 8 if i use this option? or will i be able to create everything again without buying a new OS?

PS, sorry for my english 

DELL-Sundeep B

874 Posts

July 11th, 2013 15:00

Hi Toon Veldhorst,

As you mentioned that the computer came pre-installed with Windows 8, you need not purchase the OS again. Dell systems are activated with OEM licencing. The systems are shipped with a hidden partition containing factory image of OS with drivers and applications pre-installed. If you factory reset the computer, Windows 8 will automatically activate itself.

If you wish to reset the system, you may restore the computer back to factory settings, i.e. take it to day one when you purchased the system, using Dell Backup and Recovery.

Note : This step leads to complete data loss if you select the option to Erase files in Step 11

Dell Backup and Recovery can recover the Operating system or backup from the recovery partition. To recover the OS from the recovery partition, you may follow the steps below :

  1. Plug in the AC adapter.
  2. Power on the laptop. 
  3. Press Windows + I to bring settings charm bar
  4. Click on Power button on right hand side bottom corner of the screen.
  5. Press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard and click Restart from the options provided. 
  6. Click Troubleshoot from the options onscreen after restart.






  7. Click the Dell Backup and Recovery icon.






  8. The system restarts and comes back up, click Next on the Dell Backup and Recovery Screen. 






  9. The system would be checked to see if the smart repair option can fix the issue, click Next once this is done. 






  10. You will be prompted to select the backup to be used, click the factory image option or select from one of the backups. Click Next. 






  11. You will be prompted to backup your files, if needed do so by selecting the option Yes, backup my personal files (Make sure to have an external backup hard drive handy.) or select No, Erase my files. 






  12. The system goes ahead and completes the restore of the operating system. Click Restart when prompted. 






  13. Follow the on-screen instructions to setup the system with windows.

Please reply if you have any further questions.

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