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Article Number: 000129133

Restoring Microsoft Windows Vista to Factory Configuration

Summary: The Dell Factory Image Restore option allows you to restore your hard drive to its original factory configuration as when you first ordered it from Dell. This option appears on Dell computers that were originally preinstalled with Windows Vista and do not include computers that are purchased through the Express Upgrade promotion or computers that were upgraded to Windows Vista from another version of Windows. ...

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Article Content

Symptoms

NOTE: As of April 11, 2017, Windows Vista customers are no longer receiving new security updates, nonsecurity hotfixes, free or paid assisted support options or online technical content updates from Microsoft. This article will no longer be updated and remains for information only. Go to the Microsoft site This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies. for the full end of the support statement.
 

Dell Factory Image Restore is an Option in the System Recovery Options Menu

The Dell Factory Image Restore option allows you to restore your hard drive back to its original factory configuration as when you first ordered it from Dell. This option appears on Dell computers that were originally preinstalled with Windows Vista and do not include computers that are purchased through the Express Upgrade promotion or computers that were upgraded to Windows Vista from another version of Windows.

Restore the Computer to the Default Factory Configuration
 

WARNING: When you restore the computer to the default factory configuration, all data on the C drive is deleted. Before performing this procedure, back up personal files. If you do not back up personal files, the data is lost.
 
  1. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
  2. As the computer restarts, press the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

    NOTE: You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press F8 after the Windows logo appears, the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.
     
  3. Press the SLN130396_en_US__3DownArrow(Down Arrow) to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press Enter.
  4. Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
  5. Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
  6. Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
  7. In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
  8. Click to select the check box for Yes, reformat hard drive, and restore system software to factory condition.
  9. Click Next. The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
  10. When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.

Pros and Cons of Factory Image Restore Applications

There are various pros and cons to using the factory image restore applications (Dell personal computer Restore by Symantec in Microsoft Windows XP and Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista) as troubleshooting tools.

Pros

  • Speed
Both Dell personal computer Restore by Symantec and Dell Factory Image Restore are considerably faster than manual operating system reinstallation methods. The average factory image restore takes less than 15 minutes; a complete manual operating system reinstall including drivers and applications can take 2 hours or more.
  • Simple Instructions
​​​​​​​Both personal computer Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore use fewer steps than manual operating system reinstallation methods.
  • Drivers and Applications Included
​​​​​​​Both personal computer Restore and Factory Image Restore restore all factory-installed drivers, applications and settings unlike the manual operating system reinstall method; this is a huge time-saver for both tech support and customers.

Cons

  • Troubleshooting Fix-All
​​​​​​​Personal computer Restore and Factory Image Restore are only intended to be used after all other attempts to identify and solve technical issues have failed.
  • High Repeat Problem Probability
It is important to identify the root cause of the customers technical issue before restoring the operating system to the factory image. Without a clear idea of what the problem is, the customer may experience or perhaps contribute to the same technical issues even after the restore.
  • Post-Restore Customization
​​​​​​​Even with the advantage of restoring factory installed drivers, applications and settings, it can take a customer many hours to get their data, applications, and settings back the way they want them.

Cause

  Not required

Resolution

  See above

Article Properties

Last Published Date

11 Dec 2023

Version

7

Article Type

Solution

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