How to restore windows 7 to factory settings. Restoring BIOS settings to factory defaults. Hard reset methods and procedures may vary

This option will help return the system to a state recorded at a certain point in time - a restore point. If saving such points is configured and enabled, then before installing updates, drivers and applications, the system state will be written to HDD.

Returning Windows to a restore point will save all personal files, but the drivers and applications that appeared after the point was created will need to be reinstalled.

To start Windows Recovery, right-click on the "Start" (Win + X) and go to "Control Panel" → "System and Security" → "System" → "System Protection". Click "Restore" → "Next" and select the desired restore point.

Another path option: "Control Panel" → "All Control Panel Items" → "Recovery" → "Start System Restore".

If the restore point is not found, then system protection is disabled, and you will have to use other methods.

To avoid trouble in the future, enable the creation of restore points. To do this, in the same "System Protection" menu, select the system drive, click "Configure" and enable system drive protection.

2. Reset your computer

If there are no restore points or switching to them does not help, try returning the system to the initial state. You can rollback with saving files or completely delete everything and . Also in some computers - more often these are laptops - there is an option to restore factory settings.

In Windows 8 and 10, you can start a factory reset by going to Settings → Update & Security → Reset this PC → Get Started.

In Windows 7, to do this, go to "Control Panel" → "System and Security" → "Backup and Restore" → "Restore system settings or the computer" → "Advanced recovery methods" → "Return the computer to the state specified by the manufacturer."

3. Restore Windows using a disc

The recovery disk is useful, for example, to roll back to a saved point or return to its original state if Windows refuses. An ordinary flash drive, external hard drive or DVD is suitable for the role of such a disk.

The recovery disc must be burned in advance and stored in case of system failure. Under Control Panel → All Control Panel Items → Recovery, click Create Recovery Drive. In the menu that appears, select the item "Backup system files to the recovery disk", and you can use the USB drive not only for error correction and rollback, but also for reinstalling Windows installation.

You can create a recovery DVD in Windows under Control Panel → System and Security → Backup and Restore → Create a System Repair Disc. The same method works in newer versions of the system, only the name is different: " Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" instead of "Backup and Restore".

To correct errors, boot the system from disk. In the recovery environment that opens, click Troubleshoot. Start Reverting to a System Restore Point in the Advanced Options → System Restore menu.

4. Restore Windows using a full system image

Another option for restoring Windows is to roll back to a previously created system image. The image is written to a hard drive, to DVDs, or to a network partition.

Unlike a rollback or restore from a point, using a full image preserves all files, applications, settings, and drivers installed at the time it was created.

The most appropriate moment to create such an image may be the state when all the necessary applications are installed on the system, but there is nothing superfluous. So you can continue working immediately after recovery.

To create a complete system image, in the Control Panel, select "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" → "Create a System Image". (In Windows 7: Control Panel → System and Security → Backup and Restore → Create a System Image.)

In the menu that appears, you can choose which of the available partitions and files to include in the system image and what media to write it to.

Having at your disposal full image system, you can quickly return Windows to the state you need. You can start image-based recovery when you restart your computer: "Diagnostics" → "Advanced Options" → "System Image Recovery".

Soon the first of September is the second, and for some, the first and main starting point of the new year. And it is customary to enter the new year renewed. It's time to give newness to things around you. Here, for example, that old laptop with a lazy Windows - would take it and roll it back to the factory settings, so that it would be like just from the store.

Restoring to the original state at once eliminates all the problems of the operating system, but it is full of pitfalls that it is better to know about in advance. So, how to restore factory settings on a laptop without turning it into a "brick" and without losing valuable data.

What does resetting the system involve?

When you roll back a laptop, as well as another device to the factory state with hard drive removed:

• User accounts.
• Files, programs, settings, and partitions created by the user.
• Hardware drivers that are not included in the distribution.
• System updates.

And restored:

• Software integrated into the system by the device manufacturer.
• Manufacturer's settings.

When is it possible to rollback, and when not

You can restore factory settings only if the laptop has the same version of the operating system that was originally installed. For example, if you upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 7 or Windows 10, you can roll back only during the trial period of the new OS, as long as you can return to Windows 7. previous version. After this time, a return is possible only to the original state of the newly installed system.

It is also important that the recovery partition (Windows RE) is preserved on the disk, where the original copy of Windows and the system deployment utility are located.

In which cases it is impossible to restore the factory settings:

• When the laptop's system drive has been severely damaged or replaced.
• If Windows was reinstalled with a full disk format and partition re-creation, even when the new OS is absolutely identical to the old one.
• If the recovery function is not provided by the manufacturer of the device. Found on budget laptops and netbooks with low storage and RAM.

Preparing your computer for a system reset

Before proceeding with the recovery procedure, it is important:

• Copy valuable information from a laptop to another physical medium, as it will be cleaned from all disk partitions.
• Troubleshoot boot hardware issues, if any. If the machine does not turn on properly, or, running the rollback procedure can lead to even more problems, such as file corruption backup or a complete crash of the installed OS.
• Charge the battery. A sudden power outage during a reset also does not end well.

The order of the procedure for exhibiting on laptops of different brands

Universal way to rollback using Windows

This method is suitable for devices of any brand and model with pre-installed operating system Windows 8.1 or 10. It uses the rollback to the original settings built into the OS itself.

To start the procedure, do the following:

• Boot Windows in normal mode.
• Open the utility Options”, click the section “ Updates and Security". In the column on the left select " Recovery».
• At the top right side of the window is the item " Reset your computer", and below it - the button" Begin". She is what we need.

• After clicking on the button, a window for selecting a parameter, more precisely, a rollback option, will open. To fully return to the original state, select " delete everything».

• Next, we determine the cleaning area: only the system disk (it means a partition) or all disks. We prefer the second option.

• The penultimate step of preparation is the choice of one of two rollback methods: with or without disk formatting. Again, select the second: click " Delete files and format the drive».

• Finally, we confirm our consent to restore the computer to its original state by clicking the " Factory».

In about 30-60 minutes you will receive a laptop in all pristine virgin cleanliness.

Rollback from Windows RE

In case of problems with starting the operating system (namely it, not hardware) or in case of any other system problems, you can roll back to the factory settings from the recovery environment.

The recovery environment serves the same purpose when booting fails for a variety of reasons. During the installation of Windows 10, it is installed in a separate, private area on your hard drive. It has its own bootloader, which does not depend on the performance of the main system bootloader.

The Win RE environment includes various Windows troubleshooting tools. One of them - and there is a means of returning the computer to its original state.

Rollback procedure:

• Download the recovery environment.

From a running OS: open " Options» -> « Updates and Security» -> « Recovery» – > « Special download options' and click ' Reload Now” or, while holding down the Shift key with your finger, click the restart button in the Start menu.

If Windows does not boot: reboot the laptop twice by pressing the power button. On the third unsuccessful attempt to start the primary system, the recovery environment will boot automatically.

• When opening the screen Automatic recovery " or " Boot recovery» click « Extra options».

• The next screen (and the first one you'll see when moving from a running OS) will prompt you to do choice further actions. Click on the screwdriver and wrench icon "".

• Next select resetting the computer.

• On the next screen, click " Delete everything”, that is, all user data, files, programs and settings.

• If there is more than one partition on the disk (not counting service partitions), the recovery tool will prompt you to select the area to clean up - the system disk or all disks. Select everything again.
• Before the last step of the setup, the usual Windows 10 splash screen will appear on the screen with the words " Preparations in progress". It may hang for several minutes. Do not take any action at this time, do not restart the computer, otherwise you will have to start over.

• You are almost there. When the rollback tool again prompts you to reset your computer and asks if you agree to clean up the disk, click " Completely clear the disk».

• And as the last chord - press again " Revert to original».

The further process will go without your participation. After a while, the laptop will return to the state as after purchase.

Experienced users know that the recovery environment also starts from Windows installation media (flash drives, DVDs). Alas, it will not suit us, since there is no means of rolling back the system to its original state. It can only be present on disks of specially assembled branded distribution kits from computer manufacturers.

Resetting to factory settings using manufacturers utilities

Almost all manufacturers mobile computers, presented on the Russian market, equip their products with proprietary utilities for returning to their original state. In the era of Windows 7, such utilities were the only tool that allowed you to do a full rollback of the system, if you do not take into account the function of restoring from backups (which, of course, almost no one did).

The next generation of Windows - "eight" and "ten", got the opportunity to "reset to zero" without additional utilities, so the latter are no longer as relevant and indispensable as before. Modern recovery tools from laptop manufacturers only make this procedure easier.

HP

HP's proprietary utility is called HP System Recovery. It is launched from the Win RE environment, which, in addition to universal ways, can be opened with a few F11 key presses before the OS boots up. Paragraph Recoverymanager, which launches the utility, is located in the " Troubleshooting» (Troubleshoot).

Lenovo

Many Lenovo laptop models are equipped with a hardware system reset button OneKey Rescue System. If you want to roll back to the factory settings, it should be pressed instead of the power button when the device is turned off. This launches the utility of the same name in the WinPE environment. In the utility window, select " Restore from original backup».

Dell

The utility for fixing errors and resetting the system on Dell laptops is called Dell Support Assist OS Recovery. It automatically starts in the recovery environment if the computer failed to boot 3 times in a row. Button " Restoring the factory image» is in the main window.

Asus

Those wishing to restore the original settings Asus laptop manufacturer - ASUSTeK Computer, offers to press the F9 key before the system boots. This will launch the built-in Recovery utility. Then you just have to follow the prompts on the screen.

Samsung

To launch the recovery and reset tool on Samsung immediately after turning on the device, press F4. The rollback button is responsible for the " restore» in the main window of the utility Samsung Recovery Solution. Full rollback is Complete Restore».

Acer

On Acer laptops, for greater security, the launch of the reset utility is password protected. To access it, press the Alt + F10 key combination before starting Windows (the last button must be pressed and released several times). Then enter the password. By default, it consists of six zeros.

In addition, the reset function is in the program Acer Recovery Management, which can be installed into the operating system.

You probably noticed that the methods for resetting to factory settings on laptops of different brands are very similar, the differences are only in the way you enter the recovery environment and the interface of proprietary utilities. Therefore, having figured out how to do it on one machine, you can easily repeat it on another.

Articles and Lifehacks

It doesn't matter if you're smart or just mobile phone, it’s still worth knowing how to return the default settings on the phone. This information can be useful to you at the most unexpected moment (as it always happens).

It seems that you are setting up the device for yourself, and all these improvements in work, in fact, are often redundant. As a result, the mobile phone begins to "stupid", hang, do not respond to commands, or execute them incorrectly.

In this situation, an excellent solution is to restore the factory settings.

Instruction for Android

Android phones are becoming more and more popular every day.

But even despite the fact that the manufacturer is trying in every possible way to release the most simple, but functional products, almost every user begins to change something in it.

When is it time to get back to work? mobile device, sacrificing small changes in the phone's settings, this knowledge may be required, how to restore the default settings on the phone.

• We go, as always, to the "Settings". Although for some models this section may be called "Parameters".
• Find "Backup". After all, most often a rollback to the old settings entails the destruction of part of the data (sms, contacts, photos, etc.).
• In this section, you should come across such an item “Reset with factory settings”. You will be prompted to choose an action. Agree with everything (however, do not forget to read what you give your “okay” to).
• Alternatively, you can still consider this combination: power button + Menu button + button responsible for decreasing the volume (in some models, increase).
• But be prepared that such returns to standards will lead to inevitable data loss. Apps you have installed will also be destroyed. And those that were installed by the manufacturer will also lose all settings.

  Therefore, you should resort to this method only as a last resort, without forgetting to save everything to external media first. And remove the memory card.

Mobile phone instruction

If your phone is not Android, then you should visit the official website of your phone manufacturer.

• In addition to the fact that you will need to find “Restore default (or factory) settings” in the settings, you will need to enter a special security code.
• For example, Nokia has 12345. But if you purchased the phone from your hands, then there is no guarantee that the password has remained intact. Many people like to change it, as if "protecting themselves", but by doing so they only make it worse.
• often New Password flies out of my head for the uselessness of its use. And if you also sell this phone, then it certainly will not occur to you to tell the new owner about this password or change it yourself to the standard one.
• Alternatively, you can try to remove your SIM card and turn on the phone without it. Next, enter a digital combination (again for different models it is different, for the same Nokia it is either *#7730# or *#7780#).
• And then, perhaps, the option with the security key given by the manufacturer will slip through. If it doesn’t work out, then you should contact service centers for help, where they can bypass this security key.

It happens that Windows 7 starts to function with errors. There are many possible reasons for this, such as virus infection or malfunction of computer components, as well as damage to system files. In this case, the PC often reboots or even worse does not boot at all. In this situation, there is a significant risk of losing important data that has been stored on the computer.

Windows 7 recovery methods

Fortunately, we have the ability to perform and do a factory reset. For this purpose, you can use the following methods:

1. Use the boot disk;
2. Use "System Restore";
3. Boot with a previous working version of the system.

How to fix the OS using a boot disk?

Using the disk, we can perform a factory reset or make and return the computer to working capacity. To do this, you need to boot into safe mode and enter into "Computer Troubleshooting", then install the CD in CD-rom. A menu will appear where you need to click "OS Recovery".

Next, Windows will recommend the following options:

1. System memory analysis;
2. Windows recovery;
3. System startup fix;
4. Performing work on the command line;
5. Restoring from a Windows image.

We select the option indicated in the screenshot above, then there is a procedure similar to that described in the section below.

How to use "Windows Recovery"?

Windows creates points in case patches are required, and the user can also create them on their own and determine the save time. During the creation of such a point by the user, it is imperative to disable all applications. Next, enter "Control Panel"- "System" . Then enter the window "System Protection" and press "" (you need to think up and type her name). A notification will appear - "The restore point was created successfully."

To fix Windows, click "Start", enter "Control Panel" and further into "Recovery - Start System Restore". In the menu that appears, click on a point (it is recommended to select a point a few days before errors occur).

Next, a reboot will occur.

Also in this window, it is possible to reset the settings and roll back the OS using a pre-created image that is pre-written to a disk or other external media. Flash drives are popular these days. It is recommended to use the default settings.

How to boot from the previous working version of the system?

This method is the easiest way to return to a successful configuration. Need to download to « safe mode» . To this end, when the launch occurs, you need to press the "F8" button and press "Last Known Good Configuration". Next, return to working version.

Using the rollback to the working version, it is possible to correct errors when the software is installed incorrectly on the computer. Fix files damaged by viruses. This method is effective and convenient in case of not very serious errors, in other cases it will not help and more effective methods are required.

How to perform a hard reset to factory settings

If the above three methods fail, it is possible to perform a factory reset. For this purpose, computers are equipped with a partition with a factory image. This section has the status of "system" and is usually not visible to the user.

There are special programs for resetting and rolling back the settings to the factory settings. In order to use the utility, you need to press a special button provided by the PC developer. A menu will open where you need to click "Restore to the state at the time of purchase". Further, everything will happen without the participation of the user, and after a reboot, he will only need to create a new account.

It should be noted that the data in the computer memory will be erased. It is recommended that you first transfer the necessary information to an external hard drive.