Factory reset, restore, or reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell computer

Reset, Restore or Reinstall Windows 7, 8 & 10 on your Dell PC using the instructions shown below.

Table of Contents:

1. Restore your factory operating system
2. Alternate recovery and reinstall options
   • Windows 10
   • Windows 8.1
   • Windows 7
3. Legacy operating system information

Restore your factory operating system

To repair or restore your operating system to its original factory image, visit the Dell Media Backup page to create and use recovery discs directly from your Dell computer or how to download a Dell factory image for your product.

Restore your operating system

Alternate recovery and reinstall options

Windows 10

For a list of options for restoring or reinstalling Windows 10, refer to Dell support article "Reset or reinstall Windows 10 on your Dell computer".

Video (English Only) - How to Run System Restore Windows 10

Windows 8.1

To manually reinstall Windows 8.1, refer to Dell support article, "Windows 8.1 Upgrade and Installation Instructions".

To perform a system restore in Windows 8.1, refer to Dell support article, "How to run System Restore in Windows 8.1 on your Dell PC"

Windows 7

To learn how and when to use a system restore point, do a factory reset, or manually install Windows 7 on your Dell Computer, refer to Dell Knowledge base article, How to use a Restore Point, Factory Reset, or Manually Install Windows 7 on your Dell Computer.

Legacy operating system information