How do I completely restore my computer, removing everything?

Question

I really just want to completely delete everything off of my PC and restore it to its original settings as if I had just bought it from the shop again. I've backed what I want to a external hard drive and now I just can't find a straight forward way of restoring my computer. Please help thanks.

Answer 1

Did you backup all information on your hard disk drive?

If the computer works, make sure the Windows CD, Recovery CD, or accessing the hidden System Recovery partition works before erasing anything.

Do you have the necessary licensing and OEM numbers needed to register your software again?

If you added any new hardware (e.g. printer, video, card, etc.) since you bought your computer make sure to have the discs needed to install those devices again.

Be prepared to install dozens of patches after everything has been installed. It's very important that you do all Windows updates after installing a fresh copy of Windows on the computer.

Have installation discs or be prepared to download an anti-virus immediately after installing Windows.

Finally, realize that re-installing any operating system to the point of completion is going to take several hours to complete.

Answer 2

Your computer either has discs that came with it for installation, or more usually these days a restoration partition on the hard drive, usually D, in which case you might have been required to make some back up DVDs and CDs for use in the event of a reinstall of the operating system.

As you have not given us much information to go on have a read of this for restore partitions;

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/hiddpart.htm

And this for general advice;

http://www.officialwindowsmagazine.com/news/reinstall-windows-for-the-last-time/

You will probably have to Google "restore to factory settings make / model / Windows edition" etc and someone might venture a detailed opinion.

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=restore+factory+settings+computer&fr=ush-ans

Derek C has a good stock answer to these type of questions, but seems to be asking questions rather than answering them today!

Best of luck with it, Bert.

Answer 3

Well Ruby Heres what you need to do..



Look on the computer for the Make & Model Number.. (Write it down)



Then Either post that information here and hope someone returns..



Or Google the Make and model number followed by recovery tutorial.

Example: ACER GHY4668 Recovery Tutorial.



Follow the Instructions and do a.. 'Factory Reset/Restore'.



Hope it helps :)

Answer 4

If your computer shipped with a restore cd, just use that.

If it didn't, you'll either need to order them from the manufacturer, or just download all the drivers and buy a copy of the operating system(go oem if you can it's cheaper).

For the most part you could even buy a used copy without coa from ebay(i have some xp and vista discs i use specifically for reinstalls)

Answer 5

You can delete everything but you will need to re-install your operating system and your programs. Your external drive will have your data but probably not the installation files you need. If you have all your original CDs and assuming you have Windows, try Start, Run, cmd, format c:



This will ask for confirmation and then wipe absolutely everything, so long as you have administrator rights.



Then be prepared for a few hours restoring your files.

Answer 6

To restore your pc to factory(100%clean) condition, you will need to format it and reinstall your OS. To do so, you will need the original Windows XP/Vista/Win7 disc that came with your computer.



Once you have backed up all your important files, you may begin reformatting:



You'll find a detailed description on how to format your computer here:

http://howtoformatacomputer.com/

Answer 7

Carefully

Answer 8

Only use of software can solve the problem