Windows 7 factory reset

Windows 7 doesn't have that functionality built in. You'll have to do a clean install.

Generally, restoring your computer "to factory settings" means getting it back to the state it was in when you purchased the computer -- assuming that your computer came with Windows pre-installed.  This has nothing to do with Windows 7 (or whatever version of Windows came with your computer).

Each computer manufacturer has its own method of restoring the computer to its initial as-purchased state.  If you provide the make and model of your computer, we may be able to tell you how to do this.

When you perform this process, everything that you added to the computer after you first purchased it will be deleted.  This includes all of your personal files and any programs you installed.

Consequently, if you don't have a backup of your data files (documents, music, pictures, etc.) on some external media, you will lose all of these files.

Similarly, you will have to reinstall any programs using their original installation media (e.g., CD, DVD, downloaded file) and license key (if any is required).

There is most likely a less destructive method to accomplish whatever it is that make you think you need to restore your computer to its "factory settings."  If you explain what the issue is, someone here may be able to help.

If your hard drive has not been replaced, it should have a factory restore partition on it.

Please provide the make of your computer and I will tell you how to access it.

Hi,

If preinstalled, you can contact your Laptop/Computer Manufacturer and ask them to send you a set of Recovery Disks.

They should do that for a small cost, IF they still have them available.

And if you never received a Recovery Disk when you received your Laptop/computer there should be a Recovery Partition on the Hard Drive to reinstall Windows back to how it was when new.

Here are the Key/s to press at Boot to start the Recovery Process back to Factory Settings (new condition). Under each Manufacturer in the list below are the instructions in the respective links for you to follow on how to use their Recovery Partition

Acer – Press Left Alt + F10 Keys.

http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/2631

Advent – Tap F10 until Starting System Recovery appears

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081221054701AAJT8YV

Asus – Press F9

http://support.asus.com/Troubleshooting/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=X53E&os=&no=1775

Dell – Press F8 which will bring up Advanced Boot Options                       http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=DSN\_362066

eMachines: Press Left Alt Key + F10

http://techchannel.radioshack.com/emachines-system-recovery-1747.html

Fujitsu – Press F8

https://forum.ts.fujitsu.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=39428

http://support.ts.fujitsu.com/WDB/FAQContentstart.asp?ID=233412526&WDBStatID=&INFO=SA&quest=&Sprache=en&SprachID=&SecID=&lng=COM&Todo=FAQ

Gateway: Press Alt + F10 Keys - As Acer owns them: press Left Alt + F10 Keys as per Acer eRecovery

http://www.ehow.com/how\_6960920\_restore-computer-using-recovery-partitiion.html

HP – Press F11 repeatedly

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01867418&cc=us&destPage=document&lc=en&tmp\_docname=c01867418

Lenovo – Press F11

http://support.lenovo.com/en\_US/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-4M7HWZ

LG – Press F11

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090304161820AAiyvMn

Packard Bell: Press and hold the ALT key while pressing repeatedly the F10 key. Release the keys when a message displays that Windows is loading files.

http://packard-bell-scandic.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/3068/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDA2MjgyMjczL3NpZC90Z205SDktbA%3D%3D/~/use-packard-bell-recovery-management-to-restore-your-system-or-create-recovery

Samsung – Press F4

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/howtoguide/N0000137/6375/93514

Sony Vaio – Tap F10 until the Edit Boot Options screen is displayed

https://ca.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/35585/p/48903,49902,71663,71664/c/65,67/kw/recovery%20using%20f10

Toshiba – Press 0 (zero)

http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/System-Recovery-and-Recovery/How-To-Perform-system-recovery-Windows-7/ta-p/279643

And if you do have a Manufacturer's Recovery Partition on your Hard Drive and you can Boot into Windows, you should be able to make your own Recovery Disks from it to reinstall the Operating System in case of Hard Drive failure.

Look under Programs > your Computer Manufacturer's name > then their System Tools or Recovery Software Headings for them, depending how it is worded.

If you can not find any reference to it, contact the Manufacturer for advice on how to make those Recovery Disks.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Or you can also borrow the exact same Retail Windows 7 Edition DVD and use your Product Key to reinstall.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Or you can use this for preinstalled or Retail Licenses

Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ISORecorder.html

Then do a clean install:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

If it does require phone Activation, do not follow the Auto Prompts, but hold on for a real person to explain to as to what has been done for re-installation purposes

"How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

________________________________________________

Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

"How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

Cheers.