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.

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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

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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

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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

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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"

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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.

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Legacy operating system information

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Quick Tips content is self-published by the Dell Support Professionals who resolve issues daily. In order to achieve a speedy publication, Quick Tips may represent only partial solutions or work-arounds that are still in development or pending further proof of successfully resolving an issue. As such Quick Tips have not been reviewed, validated or approved by Dell and should be used with appropriate caution. Dell shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profit or loss of revenue, which customers may incur by following any procedure or advice set out in the Quick Tips.