How to Restore Windows 8

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 2, 2020

Restoring your Windows 8 computer to an earlier point in time can undo any recent changes you've made to your operating system, and can often remove any viruses or malware that have recently infected your machine. In addition to restoring your computer, you can also refresh or reset your computer to reinstall Windows 8 and start completely anew.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Refreshing Without Affecting Files

1
Swipe in from the right side of the screen. If you're using a mouse, move the cursor to the upper-right corner.
2
Click or tap Settings.

Advertisement
3
Click or tap Change PC settings.
4
Click or tap Update and recovery.
5
Click or tap Recovery.
6
Click or tap Get started for "Refresh." There are several "Get started" buttons on this screen. Click the one in the "Refresh your PC without affecting your files" section.
7
Review what will be saved and removed. You personal files will be saved. Apps installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Apps downloaded or installed from disk will not be reinstalled.
8
Click or tap Next.
9
Insert your Windows 8 installation disk if prompted. Depending on how Windows 8 was installed on your computer, you may be prompted to insert the installation disk.
- If you don't have an installation disk, you can create a recovery disk that will work as well.
10
Click or tap Refresh. Your computer will reboot and begin refreshing.
11
Wait for your computer to refresh. This may take several minutes.
12
Sign in with your user account.
13
Wait while Windows finishes setting up. Your Windows Store apps will be reinstalled and your files will be where you left them. Any programs you installed from disk or downloaded from the internet will need to be reinstalled.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
Go to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using System Restore

1
Click or tap the Windows button. This will open the Windows Start screen. You can also press the ⊞ Win key or button.
2
Type recovery on the Start screen.
3
Click or tap Recovery in the results.
4
Click or tap Open System Restore.
5
Click or tap Choose a different restore point.
6
Click or tap Next.
7
Select the restore point you want to use. Restore points are created when changes to the hardware are made or programs are installed. They can also be created manually. You may only have one or two restore points to choose from.
- Select a restore point from before your computer started having issues.
- You may have an option to check a box to display additional restore points.
8
Click Scan for affected programs. This will display the programs that will be removed or added by the system restore. Click "Close" when you're finished.
- Programs that are restored may still need to be reinstalled after the restore.
9
Click Next.
10
Click Finish.
11
Click Yes to start the restore. Your computer will reboot and your system will be rolled back to the restore point you selected.
12
Test out your system. See if you are encountering the same errors or issues that you were before.
13
Undo a system restore. If the system restore doesn't work or makes things worse, you can roll back to the state you started in:^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Open the System Restore utility in the Control Panel.
- Click Undo System Restore.
- Wait for your computer to reboot and apply the changes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wiping and Reinstalling Windows

1
Swipe in from the right side of the screen. If you use a mouse, move your cursor to the upper-right corner of the desktop.
2
Click Settings.
3
Click Change PC settings.
4
Click Update and recovery.
5
Click Recovery.
6
Click Get started under "Remove everything and reinstall Windows."
7
Click Next.
8
Click the drive cleaning method you want. Select the "Just remove my files" option if you are going to keep the computer for yourself. Choose "Clean the drive fully" if you are getting rid of the computer.
- The full clean will take several hours to complete, but will securely erase all of your data.
9
Click Reset. Your computer will reboot and begin resetting.
10
Wait while your computer resets. This may take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on your computer.
11
Insert a Windows 8 installation or recovery disk if prompted. If Windows 8 did not come installed on your system, you may be prompted to insert the disk. Use your Windows 8 installation disk if you have it, or your computer manufacturer's recovery disk. If you don't have a recovery disk, you can create one.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I restore or refresh Windows 8 if start up password is enabled?

Community Answer

Try hitting f8 on boot up and see if you can get to safe mode. If so, go to control panel/users and remove the password.

Warnings

Resetting your computer will wipe and erase all your personal data. Make sure you back up all your personal data prior to performing a reset using either a cloud storage application or external hardware, such as a USB flash drive.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1