You can choose to create an image on DVD discs, but keep in mind that you will need a lot of them. I suggest creating an image on local drive D: Next

And here is our huge image, as expected on disk D:

Recovery from image

Now let’s imagine a situation: Windows 8 won’t boot at all and none of the recovery methods described above helps us. Or, while working in Acronis Disk Director, we accidentally formatted a partition with Windows 8 installed. In this case, we can use our image to correct the situation. Boot from a recovery disk or Windows 8 installation disk.

Diagnostics

Extra options

You are automatically prompted to select the most recent Windows 8 image (recommended) or select the one you need. Further

We are reminded once again that if we created an image of the C: drive, then the C: partition will be completely formatted, replacing all files from the contents of the image.
Ready.

All your personal files and applications will be deleted. The computer settings will be set to default values.

Here you have a choice: when restoring to its original state, you can delete all files only from the system drive (C:) or clean up all other drives (takes more time).

A simple user can select Just delete my files

Reset. All.

Return to original state.

A familiar warning. All your personal files and applications will be deleted. The computer settings will be set to default values. Further

Only the disk on which the system is installed.

Just delete my files

Windows 8 Safe Mode

Any operating system can fail sooner or later. Windows 8 does not escape this fate either. Taking into account the fact that not all users are accustomed to this operating system and have figured out what’s what, let’s look at how to restore the system in Eight if you don’t want to redo all the programs. It should be noted that the developers have introduced several built-in tools that can greatly simplify the task.

Rollback to a restore point

First of all, if this problem occurs, as in previous versions of the operating system, diagnose and restore system files. To do this, run a command prompt and enter sfc /scannow. This operation does not affect installed utilities or information stored on the computer. It scans and restores only system files. At the end of the work, you will be shown information about whether damage was detected and whether the program was able to cope with them.

The next option in Windows 8 for how to restore the system is to roll back to a restore point. You can start the process in several ways:

• From the Metro menu,
• When starting the operating system,
• When booting with an installation disk.

If you can still log into the operating system, you should launch the command line by pressing Win+R. After that, enter the command sysdm.cpl ,4 and click OK. In the System Properties window that appears, we are interested in the System Protection tab, where we click Restore. The user will see the Recovery window. In it, click Next, after which you will need to select a restore point. If the list that appears does not contain the point you need, then click “Show others...”. You can find out how to create a restore point in Windows 7 here.

After this, to start the recovery process, you will need to click on the Finish button. The user will see a warning that it will be impossible to interrupt system recovery after startup. We agree with this and wait a few minutes. Once the process is completed, the computer will reboot. If successful, a message will appear on your desktop indicating that the problem has been resolved.

PC Recovery function

Windows 8 comes with a built-in Refresh Your PC feature. It allows you to update the system without deleting files. Another function is similar to it, which the manufacturers called Reset Your PC. However, the latter makes it possible to format specified partitions, including the system one, and reinstall the operating system.

Using PC Recovery is especially useful if you can log in to your system. You will need to press the Win+W buttons, and then select Restore your computer. Another way is to use the Win+R shortcut and then enter the systemreset command. In the window that appears, click Next and wait for the result.

If you cannot log into the system, you will need to use a recovery disk or boot disk. You will learn how to create a boot disk yourself from this. Lastly, click System Restore. After that, go to the Diagnostics tab, where we select the Restore link. Then we wait for the process to complete. The system will notify you if any programs have been removed so you can restore them.

If the above methods did not lead to any result, then try using the Restore to original state function. However, please note that in this case all data and settings will be deleted. This recovery method should be used last and only if the previous ones did not give the desired effect. But in most cases, it is not required, since rolling back to a restore point or the Refresh Your PC function is quite capable of coping with the problem.

How to restore Windows 8? How to create a restore point? How to apply Windows 8 recovery without deleting user files (Refresh Your PC)? Why are there two options for creating a recovery image for the operating system in Windows 8? Where did the previous versions of the files go?

Friends, a lot of letters have arrived asking you about the product. System Restore Windows 8 and I tried to answer all the letters with one big article. From this article you can learn how to restore Windows 8 in a variety of ways, from the simplest (using a restore point) to the more complex. The article will be useful for both novice PC users and users with an average level of training.

• Note: Friends, if you have a laptop, then these detailed articles will be very useful to you. They will help you master the indispensable tools for restoring the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating system; these tools will help you in the most unfavorable circumstances for you.

1. using a recovery flash drive or Windows 8 installation disk
2. , if the operating system does not boot.
3. in the manufacturer's built-in Recovery program.

A few days ago I bought a new laptop with the Windows 8 operating system pre-installed and I must say, on the whole I’m happy with the system, although of course it’s not entirely customary to work without the standard Start menu. I’m not going to reinstall eight on Windows 7; I want to thoroughly understand the new operating system. And I think we need to start first of all with how exactly Windows 8 recovery works. Of course, you understand me, any user, even an experienced one, while working on a computer can disrupt the operation of the operating system through their unsuccessful actions. The easiest way to get out of an unpleasant situation is to roll back using a restore point to a certain period of time.

I want to say that I was able to create a restore point in a running Windows 8, I also managed to roll back using it, but here’s what to do if, due to a system failure or due to viruses, I cannot boot Windows 8. How then get into system restore? This is where I have questions for you.

1. As I understand it, the F-8 key no longer works when the computer boots. So how do I get to the advanced boot options menu, and then into safe mode and system recovery? After a long search for information on the Internet, I realized that I needed to press Shift+F8, but I didn’t succeed here either. I wonder why?
2. I also read that in Windows 8 there is a function to completely restore the entire operating system, which is equivalent to reinstalling, but without deleting user files, it’s called (Refresh Your PC)! You can run such a recovery even if you are completely unable to log into a running Windows 8.
3. How can I get into this Refresh Your PC if my Windows 8 still won’t boot, because the Shift+F8 key combination doesn’t work for me when booting?
4. Will my installed programs be saved on my system drive (C:) after applying Windows 8 recovery without deleting user files (Refresh Your PC)?
5. When I tried to launch Refresh Your PC from a running system, it asked for a Windows 8 installation disk, but where can I get it, because I bought a laptop without an installation disk.
6. If I want to sell a laptop, how can I make a full Windows 8 recovery without saving user data and installed applications (equivalent to installing Windows 8 again) if I do not have the Windows 8 installation disk.
7. How to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Command Prompt Support in Windows 8?
8. I also learned that in Windows 8 you can create an image to restore the entire operating system. That is, install all the programs I need and then make an image of a stable operating system, which, if necessary, can be deployed in place of an unstable operating system. BUT in Windows 8 there are two tools for creating an image of the operating system? One image can be created using the command line, with the command recimg /createimage D:\ The second method is to use a familiar tool from the Control Panel, under the strange name for Windows 8 “Windows 7 File Recovery.” Both created images end up being different. You yourself, the administrator, created these images and tried to restore Windows 8 from them, which one and why?
9. If Windows 8 has a tool for creating a system image and restoring from it, does that mean expensive data backup programs from third-party developers, for example Acronis True Image Home, are not needed or are they still more convenient and easier to use?
10. Where did the tool called "Previous File Versions" go? In Windows 7, it helped me out more than once when I accidentally deleted important files past the Recycle Bin.

Windows 8 Recovery

First of all, let's perform the initial configuration of Windows 8 system protection settings. Make sure that system recovery is enabled for the partition on which Windows 8 is installed, usually (C:). We will indicate the amount of disk space required for the normal functioning of System Protection. Next, we’ll learn how to create a restore point in a normally functioning Windows 8, as well as how to roll back using it. Let's also consider the case when, due to a system failure, we will NOT be able to boot Windows 8, but we will still get to restoring the system, even if the keyboard shortcut Shift+F8 does not work at boot. We'll do this using the Windows 8 recovery disc or Windows 8 installation disc we created.

Let's look at how Windows 8 is restored without deleting user files (Refresh Your PC). You can launch Refresh Your PC directly from a running system, or even if your Windows 8 does not boot. Windows 8 will be reinstalled, personal data will not be affected, applications from the Windows Store will be saved, and the programs you installed will be removed (to save the installed programs, you need to create an image of Windows 8, read on). We will need a Windows 8 installation disk or a Windows 8 image that we created. I will show you how to create a Windows 8 image and then restore our operating system from it using Refresh Your PC, even if it won’t boot at all.

In fact, using Windows 8, you can create two recovery images; one image works with the Refresh Your PC tool. When using the Refresh Your PC tool, Windows 8 is completely restored, but your personal files remain intact, but installed programs are removed and system settings are reset to their original settings. So, if you create an image using the command line, as described below in the article, then Refresh Your PC will use this image to restore, and not the Windows 8 installation disk. This means that the programs and system settings you installed will NOT be reset , but will be returned at the time the image was created. But you should know that an image created in this way will not be suitable for recovery in the event of a complete disk format (C:) or accidental deletion of the system partition. To create a backup image of Windows 8 entirely, the second method is suitable.

The second image is created using a tool from the Control Panel that is already familiar to us, called “” or, I will show you both methods. Using this image, you can restore Windows 8 completely to a blank hard drive. How does this happen, for example, you created an image of Windows 8 on disk (D:), then completely removed Windows 8 from disk (C:) and installed Windows 7, used it and didn’t like it, you take and restore Windows 8 with all your programs and files from the image and that’s it.

Note: Friends, regarding creating a system image and restoring from it, read also our article on DVDs, or on a portable USB hard drive and how to recover from these images, you will also learn how to connect a SATA or old IDE hard drive and adapt it to save backups!

At the end of the article, we will look at a complete restoration of Windows 8 without saving user data and installed applications (equivalent to installing Windows 8 again). You will need a Windows 8 installation disc.

Safe mode. In order to get into, there are many ways, you can do this directly from a running system or even if you cannot boot Windows 8 at all, for example using the command bcdedit /set (globalsettings) advancedoptions true, read further in detail.

Well-known to us from Windows 7, they have been replaced by a tool called “File History”. Want to know the details? Read our article!

In fact, friends, the system recovery tool in Windows 8 is different from the recovery tool that was in Windows 7 and I must say there is something to write about here. Moreover, computers with Windows 8 installed have been sold for a long time and people are actively using the new operating system, and many times I have had to use almost all the available Windows 8 system recovery functions in practice. So, I'm telling you what I know.

Of course, most often with various problems with a new operating system, you will have to use a simple rollback using a restore point. Therefore, first of all, let's make sure that we have system recovery turned on.

Mark the item Enable system protection and indicate Maximum usage of approximately 15%, this figure is quite enough for the normal operation of System Partition Protection with Windows 8 installed. Apply and OK. If you wish, you can enable System Protection for other partitions.

Now let's create a restore point ourselves, and I advise you to do this periodically. For example, before an upcoming search for something on the Internet or before installing a new program.
Click Create.

Let's come up with a name for our recovery point. For example, January 13, installation of a new program. Create again and a Windows 8 restore point is created.

Now let’s imagine this situation: immediately after installing some program, we had problems: the Internet disappeared, freezes appeared, and so on. Of course, we will decide to apply our restore point created before installing the program.
Options -> Control Panel->Recovery -> Running System Restore

You can choose to create an image on DVD discs, but keep in mind that you will need a lot of them. I suggest creating an image on local drive D: Next

And here is our huge image, as expected on disk D:

Recovery from image

Now let’s imagine a situation: Windows 8 won’t boot at all and none of the recovery methods described above helps us. Or, while working in Acronis Disk Director, we accidentally formatted a partition with Windows 8 installed. In this case, we can use our image to correct the situation. Boot from a recovery disk or Windows 8 installation disk.

Diagnostics

Extra options

You are automatically prompted to select the most recent Windows 8 image (recommended) or select the one you need. Further

We are reminded once again that if we created an image of the C: drive, then the C: partition will be completely formatted, replacing all files from the contents of the image.
Ready.

All your personal files and applications will be deleted. The computer settings will be set to default values.

Here you have a choice: when restoring to its original state, you can delete all files only from the system drive (C:) or clean up all other drives (takes more time).

A simple user can select Just delete my files

Reset. All.

Return to original state.

A familiar warning. All your personal files and applications will be deleted. The computer settings will be set to default values. Further

Only the disk on which the system is installed.

Just delete my files

Windows 8 Safe Mode

Restoring to its original state is one of the system recovery options in Windows 8.1. It is advisable to use this function:

• if you want to delete all your data and restore the computer to the state at the time of purchase;
• when the computer cannot be restored in any other way.

What is the difference between resetting and reinstalling?

It differs in that you do not need to reinstall the drivers and enter the product serial number. The recovery program will only fix problems in the system kernel and delete personal files.

How to reset Windows to its original state

Boot from the Windows 8.1 installation disc:

In the window Windows installation click Further:

Select an item Diagnostics:

Select Return to original state:

In most cases, there will only be one copy of the operating system on this list. If there are several of them, select the desired (or problematic) system that you want to restore:

At this stage, you have a choice: 1) wipe only the system partition; This option is suitable for you if your OS has become unusable and you want to restore it for further use. For a complete recovery, it is enough to restore only the system partition. 2) clean all computer disks if you have several. This option is suitable if you want to sell your computer and clear all data. Also, this option is desirable if you are restoring the system after a virus infection and have already saved all important documents to a flash drive.

In most cases, the option will do Just delete my files. This will give you a chance to recover some files. If you select the second option, the system will completely erase files to protect against recovery. This option will take much longer and is suitable if you are selling or giving away your old computer.

Click the button Return to original state to start the process of restoring Windows to its original state:

After this, wait until the progress reaches 100% and the system restores its original state:

After resetting the operating system, the computer will behave as if you had just installed the operating system on it (or as if you had just brought home a new computer with WIndows 8.1 pre-installed). Select your region, language, time zone and keyboard layout:

Accept the license terms:

Select a color, name your computer, and click Further:

Sign in to your Microsoft account. To do this, you will need a hotmail.com login and password:

The system will request confirmation via mobile phone or email. Complete the required steps:

Enter the received code:

At this point, you have the choice of either copying all settings and apps from the Microsoft Store,

or set up your computer as new:

Windows 8 has a fairly rich arsenal of recovery tools. First of all, this is the Refresh Your PC mode, the launch of which allows you to restore the operating system from a recovery disk without deleting user files. Along with this “soft” form of bringing the OS configuration into working condition, the G8 implements a means of completely reinstalling it and deleting all data on the disk (Reset Your PC).

Variety of recovery tools

The developers have provided users with several methods at once, by resorting to which they can restore the Windows 8 system. Some of them are familiar from previous versions of Windows, while some are unique and are absent even in the new “ten”. Let's list all the available options:

Below we will describe in detail how to restore Windows 8, the advantages and disadvantages of each of the described methods.

Update without deleting files

Not everyone knows that this option works in two modes:

• saving the user's personal files, Metro applications and deleting all desktop applications and registry settings;
• returning the system to a custom image, preserving all programs and settings installed at the time of its creation, with all drivers, etc.

The first mode will have no alternative if the user installed Windows 8 independently from a disk and did not create wim images of the system for subsequent rollback.

But when purchasing a device with the eighth version of Windows installed by the manufacturer, during the Refresh Your PC function, a hidden factory disk partition with a specific set of drivers and programs originally installed on the computer will be used.

In order to be able to “softly” restore Windows 8 to a fully working system configuration without errors, viruses, etc., after installing the system, drivers and the most necessary applications, you need to make your own wim image. Moreover, it will be possible to replace the standard one used by default.

How to make a wim image

To edit and create images in the G8, the recimg console program is provided. We will use it as follows:

1. Open a command prompt as an administrator by pressing Win+X and select the appropriate item in the console window that opens.
2. On the command line you need to write recimg/CreateImage C:\Image\Img1 (without the dot).

The program will create an image of the current state on the disk, which will become the base image when the system is rolled back without deleting files.

You can create more than one image; the user can choose how many of them to create:

• recimg/CreateImage C:\Images\Img2 will create another recovery image and assign it as the base one;
• recimg/SetCurrent C:\Image\Img1 will make Img1 the default again;

• recimg /ShowCurrent will show which image is currently the base image;
• recimg/deregister will override all custom images and make the default system image the default one.

The Wim image does not contain user data, so it is not suitable as a full backup copy. However, when you roll back, Refresh mode (system recovery in Windows 8 while saving user data) will allow the OS to save all your programs, files and registry data that were current at the time the image was created.

What remains after the rollback

Rollback with data preservation, as previously described, can be carried out through a saved image or without it. This will affect the system as follows:

• in both cases, documents and personal files, design and Metro applications will remain unchanged;
• when using the image, desktop applications in the Program Files folder, updates and all system settings will also be saved.

The only thing that will not be saved is most personal settings (desktop, etc.) and application settings (Internet browser profile, saved program panels, etc.).

How to run Refresh Your PC procedure

Restoring Windows 8 using this procedure can be done in almost any state, even when you can only enter it from the boot disk. But if Windows 8 boots normally, the rollback process comes down to several steps:

• press Win+R and in the input field of the window that opens, write the command systemreset (without a comma),
• Confirm your entry by clicking “Run”.

Changing BIOS settings

But if redirection does not occur, the boot is carried out from a recovery or installation disk. Before doing this, do not forget to go into BIOS mode and check that the priorities are set correctly so that the boot or installation drives are read first.

To enter the BIOS, you need to immediately press Del on the keyboard several times as soon as the device reboots; on some laptops, entry occurs via F2 or ESC. BIOS versions vary between devices. This could be Award, AMI, graphical UEFI - everywhere the method of specifying the disk first in the boot queue is different. However, you can boot from a flash drive without entering the BIOS. To display the window for selecting a boot method without changing the BIOS settings, just press the following keys while starting the device:

• Award BIOS - F9;
• AMI - F8.

On laptops, this tool is usually invoked by pressing F12.

Entering the recovery environment

Follow these steps:

1. When booting from the installation disk, after selecting the language, click on the link below “System Restore”;
2. Go to the diagnostics section;
3. Select the "Restore" command.

After completing the procedure, any of your programs and all system settings will remain in place (except for some personal settings), but only if you managed to create a wim image using the method described above. Otherwise, a clean system will be installed in which only photos, music and similar data will be saved.

The difference between an update that saves data and a reinstallation of the OS over the existing one

Reinstalling the system is usually resorted to only when there are no backup copies in order to restore Windows 8 via Refresh Your PC. But one more condition must be met - the system must boot on its own.

This is precisely the advantage and the main difference between a rollback with saving data and a reinstallation - the new mode of returning the working configuration of the system in the “eight” is capable of bringing it back to life even in the event of the most severe failure, while at the same time preserving at least the user’s personal data.

Another important feature is that Refresh Your PC does not last long, the process is completely automated. You do not need to go through any of the initial steps of the classic method of reinstalling from disk, nor do you need to configure settings after the installation is complete.

Recover without saving data

In English-language versions of Windows 8, this mode is called Reset Your PC and acts “hard” - it formats the system partition, and any other partition, after which it completely reinstalls the system. No data, system or user settings are saved. The Reset Your PC mode is available there - in the diagnostics section, which can be accessed both from a running system and from a recovery or installation disk.

With a version of Windows 8 preinstalled on your computer or laptop, everything is even simpler. You just need to read the specifications for the device in order to find out how to roll back the Windows 8 system by pressing a certain key combination to the factory settings. It varies on different machines, but this is the fastest existing way to “hard” roll back to almost zero a system completely damaged by a virus or inept user actions.

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