What program to restore Windows 8.1 system folders. Windows System Restore

Recovery Windows systems 8 may be required when critical errors in PC operation. To prevent the user from having to completely reinstall the OS, special tools are provided that allow you to restore your computer even without deleting files or changing general system settings. In this article you will learn how to start restoring a computer or laptop on Win 8 in different ways.

Below we consider two scenarios: with a working operating system and with a faulty one. In the first case, you can perform recovery from the Windows 8 interface without a disk or flash drive, and in the second, you will need bootable media for copying system files. All methods are presented below:

  • rollback from a restore point;
  • using Refresh your PC;
  • reset to factory settings on laptop;
  • recovery using a boot disk or flash drive.

Let's consider each of the methods in detail. All instructions are fully working and suitable for any build of Windows 8 32/64 Bit.

System restore point

This method allows you to roll back the OS to a certain state. You must do the following:

  1. Open File Explorer using the icon on the taskbar.
  1. In the left directory, find the “This PC” item and right-click on it to select “Properties” from the menu.
  1. In the window that opens, click on the “System Protection” button.
  1. In the selected tab, click on the “Restore” button.
  1. On the first screen, click on “Next”.
  1. From the list, select a checkpoint according to the date when the computer was stable and working. Click "Next".
  1. To start the procedure, click the “Finish” button.

Now you know how to use a checkpoint to rollback the state of the OS.

Creating a checkpoint

If you don't have it configured automatic creation checkpoints, you can do this manually. This option will be useful if problems arise with the OS in the future:

  1. Open the Properties window again and click on System Protection.
  1. Next, click on the “Create” button marked in the screenshot.
  1. Enter a name and click "Create".
  1. Wait until the procedure is completed. After it, the current OS configuration will be saved as a checkpoint. You can easily restore this state if Windows 8 malfunctions using the instructions described above.

Rollback via Options

Windows 8 debuted the Refresh Your PC tool. With its help, the user can roll back the OS state to the required state. You can save applications and settings, return your PC to factory settings, completely reinstall the system, or launch a safe environment and perform the necessary actions through it.

First you need to open “Computer Settings”:

  1. Right-click on the Start icon and select Find.
  1. IN search bar Search for "PC Settings" and open the appropriate application.
  1. In the list of sections, select "Update and Recovery".
  1. Go to the “Recovery” subsection. Here are tools that allow you to return the OS to its original state or start safe mode.

The first option (1) allows you to restore factory defaults. Windows settings 8 without losing personal files, music, photos, etc. Using the second item (2), you can call up a menu to completely reinstall the OS and return it to the factory preset settings. This will delete all personal files and installed applications. By clicking on the button in the third paragraph (3), you can call up the safe environment and continue settings through it. The first two options allow you to roll back the system from the Windows 8 interface.

It’s worth taking a closer look at the safe environment, as advanced functionality awaits you there.

Click on the “Restart now” button and wait - on the screen you will see a menu launch with a choice of action. Click on "Diagnostics".

As you can see, here you can perform all the same operations as in Windows interface 8. However, the diagnostic menu can be useful if the OS does not boot. Click on the “Advanced options” button to access advanced functionality. With it you can:

  • roll back the OS to a checkpoint;
  • use wim image for recovery;
  • roll back the system via command line.

Let's consider all the possibilities in more detail. We dealt with the first point above - the procedure is no different from running it in Windows 8.

By clicking on “Restore system image”, you launch a program to automatically unpack a pre-created wim archive. It should contain the entire OS with personal settings and programs. You can connect a disk or flash drive to your computer to unpack a third-party wim image. This way you will get a complete system.

"Command Prompt" allows you to start the rollback procedure using simple commands. Click on the appropriate button to launch the application. Now enter the command “rstrui.exe” and press Enter to run. After this, you will have access to the PC recovery menu via checkpoint.

You can launch this menu through bootable media if the installed OS does not work correctly and does not start. Let's consider this situation.

Performing the procedure using a flash drive

Performing the procedure this way will require some preparation. First, you need to create bootable media. To do this, you need to visit the official Microsoft website, where the Windows 8 web installer is located and download it to another computer. The bootloader will download the OS files and create a boot drive automatically.

Secondly, you need to make settings through the BIOS. To do this, when starting the PC, press the button responsible for entering the BIOS menu (it is indicated on home screen turning on the computer). Go to the "Boot" menu and set the bootable USB flash drive to first place in boot priority. To save the settings, press F10 and restart your PC again.

Now when you turn it on you will see the installer menu. Here you will find the option to uninstall, reinstall the system, hard formatting disk. The creators also included the recovery function in a separate menu:

  1. Select the desired item and start the procedure.

Rollback on a laptop with a pre-installed operating system

Laptop manufacturers that sell devices with pre-installed software provide the ability to rollback using proprietary utilities and funds. Part of the hard drive space is allocated for recovery, so you can start the process of returning your PC to its original settings in a couple of steps.

It refers to Asus laptops, Lenovo, Acer, HP and many others. Let's look at the procedure using the Acer Iconia tab w5100 as an example. By default, this company uses the keyboard shortcut Alt + F10, which must be pressed on the initial boot screen with the Acer logo.

You will see the "Acer eRecovery Management" menu. Select the marked item.

After this, wait until the procedure is completed. During the process, the laptop may reboot several times. The only way to cancel the recovery process is to restart the PC. After the rollback is complete, you will receive the device with factory settings.

The names of the utilities and how to access them differ depending on the laptop manufacturer, but according to this example you can easily restore Windows 8 on any device.

Conclusion

Using the methods described, you can return Windows 8 to its working or original state in almost any situation. Use checkpoints to restore your computer to its previous state. The Refresh Your PC functionality is useful when restoring your PC to factory settings. A safe environment will come in handy if Windows 8 won’t start - necessary tools can be opened via a bootable USB flash drive.

Video

Below you can watch a training video that clearly shows all the steps from this article. Together with the video instructions, you will be able to figure out the difficulties and restore your computer without outside help.

The Windows 8 recovery disk or Windows 8.1 recovery disk is designed to troubleshoot problems with the operating system when the computer cannot boot. From the recovery disk, recovery tools are launched to carry out work to restore Windows functionality.

While working on a computer, sometimes problems arise due to various reasons. Malfunctions occur due to abnormal operation of equipment, software errors, and, perhaps, the most common reason: incorrect user actions.

If serious problems occur, the user can launch system recovery in different ways:

  • Restore system files and settings using previously created system restore points.
  • Restoring your computer (Refresh) without deleting personal data.
  • Removing all data and reinstalling (Reset) Windows.

These recovery options are launched directly from operating system. If impossible Windows startup, it is possible to start recovery by booting from bootable flash drive or from a DVD with an operating system image, and if the user does not have a Windows image, then by booting from a recovery disk.

An installation DVD or bootable USB flash drive with Windows 8.1 (Windows 8) can also be used as a recovery disk by entering the operating system recovery environment.

What is a recovery disk for?

You will need a Windows 8.1 system repair disc in the following cases:

  • the user does not have an installation disk or bootable USB flash drive with the Windows operating system1 (Windows 8);
  • in case of a serious computer failure;
  • when it is impossible to boot Windows.

After booting from the recovery disk, using the recovery tools, the user can carry out the necessary troubleshooting work on the computer.

Creating a Windows 8.1 Recovery Disc

The user can independently create a Windows 8.1 recovery disk and burn it to a USB flash drive.

When creating a Windows 8.1 recovery disc, follow these steps:

  1. Go to “Settings”, then click on “Control Panel”.
  2. Enter "Recovery", select "Create a recovery disk".
  1. The next window asks you to copy the recovery partition from your computer to the recovery drive. If such a partition exists on the computer, the user can check the box next to “Copy the recovery partition from the computer to the recovery disk” in order to use it to restore or return the computer to its original state.
  2. Click on the "Next" button.

  1. The application will check your computer for connected drives. In Windows 8, it is possible to burn to a CD/DVD disc (to do this, you will need to run another application); in Windows 8.1, a recovery disk is created only on a flash drive.
  2. Then a window opens with available drives. Select required disk with USB drive. The size of the flash drive must be at least 256 MB, all information from USB devices will be deleted.

  1. Agree to delete all data from the flash drive. Transfer data (if any) from the USB device to another drive in advance.
  2. Click on the “Create” button.
  3. Next, the service files are formatted and copied.
  4. The recovery disk is ready, click on the “Finish” button.

Remove the USB flash drive containing the Windows 8.1 recovery disc from the computer.

A bootable USB flash drive with a Windows 8.1 system recovery disk has been created. Now, in the event of an operating system failure, the user will have a chance to return the computer to working condition.

Windows 8.1 bootable USB flash drive for system recovery

Now let's see how to start recovery in Windows 8.1 with installation disk or from a bootable flash drive. The recovery disk (not the installation disk) will start in a similar way, only without the windows for installing Windows 8.

Select in the BIOS or UEFI the priority for booting the system from the connected disk ( USB storage or DVD disc), or directly enter the boot menu to launch the disc from there.

In the window " Windows installation 8" click on the "Next" button. Here, by default, the language and keyboard layout are already selected correctly.

In the next window, click on “System Restore”.

The “Select Action” window offers two action options:

  • Diagnostics - system recovery, returning the computer to its original state, or using additional tools.
  • Turn off computer.

Select Diagnostics.

The Diagnostics window offers the following actions:

  • Restore - restore the system while preserving personal files.
  • Reset to original state - reinstallation of the system with loss of personal data.
  • Advanced options - use other recovery tools.

Select Advanced Options.

The following system recovery tools are available in the Advanced Options window:

  • System Restore - Windows recovery using previously created restore points.
  • System image recovery - restores Windows using a previously created backup system image.
  • Startup Repair - fixes a glitch that prevents the operating system from loading.
  • Command Prompt - Launch a command prompt to troubleshoot problems.

Choose the right tool to solve your computer problem.

Conclusions of the article

User can create boot disk Windows 8.1 (Windows 8) recovery, which will help you run system recovery tools if serious problems occur with your computer or Windows cannot start.

Hello friends! This article describes step by step how to restore Windows 8 on a laptop, if it loads with an error or does not load at all. We will have to create a Windows 8 recovery flash drive, if you have a Windows 8 installation disk, then that's even better, you can use it. Before the article, as usual, we publish two interesting letters from our readers.

1) Hello! Tell me how to restore on a laptop, please in detail? I bought a laptop with the Windows 8 operating system pre-installed, immediately, about a week after the update, the laptop froze during the game, I confess, the game is unlicensed. After forced reboot Automatic recovery started on the laptop, which led to nothing. Entering safe mode using the F8 key also failed, so I called a technician. The wizard came, entered the BIOS of my laptop and set the boot priority from the flash drive, then booted my laptop from the recovery flash drive, which is done in Windows 8 itself in one minute (so he said), the Windows 8 recovery environment loaded, in it he found the recovery service system, selected a restore point and clicked Next, after three minutes my laptop booted up safely, everything was quick and simple.

After the master left, my wallet was lighter by exactly 500 wooden rubles (this is still a familiar master) and I seriously decided to try to restore Windows 8 on the laptop myself and do everything that the master did, but it didn’t work out for me. The laptop does not boot from the Windows 8 recovery flash drive I created, maybe I created it with an error, or in the UEFI BIOS itself it was incorrectly set to boot from a flash drive. I started looking for answers to questions on the Internet and found your site, for people like me it’s just a godsend.

I ask you, if possible, repeat all the steps of the wizard and start by creating a Windows 8 recovery flash drive, then manipulate the BIOS and show what needs to be done in the Windows 8 recovery environment, or otherwise it is called the Action Selection menu, Diagnostics.

2) Hello admin, I want restore Windows 8 on laptop of a friend of mine, it won’t load for him, he made a Windows 8 recovery flash drive on his laptop and wanted to help. I think I'll boot the laptop from the recovery flash drive, then apply system restore, but it turns out that the recovery program on the flash drive is English language. Here is the screenshot. Tell me what to click next to apply system restore. I wrote to you because you always write everything down in detail; anyone, even a beginner, can understand it.

How to restore Windows 8 on a laptop

Hello friends! I understand the question, let's get straight to the point. By the way, there is nothing offensive in the fact that you did not remember exactly how the wizard restored Windows 8 on a laptop; he can do this several times a day, and you encountered this for the first time.

I often carry such laptops to work and I will show you how to get out of this situation with dignity.

What happened to our readers can happen to any user and you need to be prepared for it. Windows 8 is a fairly reliable and stable operating system, but it may not boot due to viruses, crooked software, incorrect drivers, and so on. For this case, the developers have prepared several methods for restoring Windows 8, which we will use.

What to do if when you turn on Windows laptop 8 is trying to run some update and freezes? Or in the initial phase of booting the laptop, automatic recovery starts and fails, or maybe when booting you just get blue screen death with an error, although yesterday everything was fine. In all these cases we act like this...

First of all, you and I should have a recovery flash drive or a Windows 8 recovery disk prepared, it might also work, you can use them to enter a special menu Action selection, Diagnostics and restore Windows 8. Many users may notice that you can do without a flash drive or recovery disk; you can simply press the F8 key or the Shift+F8 key combination frequently when booting the laptop, and we will also get to the Select Action menu. This is far from true, friends, most laptops sold today will not allow you to do this, with the exception of only a few models, for example, a Packard Bell laptop, which will allow you to enter the Select Action menu using the F8 key.

Therefore, the first thing we do is create a Windows 8 recovery flash drive.

We connect the flash drive to the USB port.

Move the mouse to the right hot corner and click Search.

Type in the search field Recovery. Click on Options And Creating a recovery disc.

Create.

Ready. That's it, the Windows 8 recovery flash drive has been created.

Now let's restore Windows 8 on a laptop using our flash drive. Let’s imagine a situation: our laptop won’t boot at all and the automatic recovery tool can’t help us (and it doesn’t help often, so don’t rely on it too much).

How to restore Windows 8.1 on a laptop if it won't boot

We connect our Windows 8 recovery flash drive to the laptop and reboot the laptop. To boot the laptop from the flash drive you need to go to the boot menu of the laptop, for example, on my laptop the key is responsible for this F12

In the boot menu of the laptop, use the arrows on the keyboard to select our recovery flash drive and press Enter.

Loading from a flash drive. The first thing we will see is the language selection window. Whatever language you choose, everything will still be in English.

Note: if you boot from the Windows 8 installation disk, then everything will be in Russian, we will consider this recovery option below.

Choose Troubleshoot(troubleshooting) or Diagnostics ( restoring the computer, returning the computer to its original state, or using additional tools)

Advanced options(Extra options)

System Restore(System Restore), by the way, please note the point below Automatic Repair(automatic recovery), does not always help, but you can try.

Choose our operating system Windows 8.1(in your case there will most likely be one Windows 8 operating system)

Select the restore point we need and Next (next)

Yes (restore cannot be undone).

The system recovery process is in progress and is completed successfully.

Restart and the reboot occurs and Windows 8.1 boots normally

If you boot into the Windows 8 recovery environment from the 8 installation disk, then everything will be in Russian

To restore Windows 8 on a laptop or a simple computer select an item Diagnostics(restoring the computer, returning the computer to its original state, or using additional tools)

Extra options

System Restore

System Restore cannot be interrupted. Yes

Windows 8 system recovery on our laptop completed successfully

Friends, if everything said above does not help you restore Windows 8 on a laptop, then refer to our more complete article - from it you will learn:

2)How to restore Windows 8 without uninstalling user files(Refresh Your PC). If the operating system does not boot and you do not have a Windows 8 installation disk, then you can use the Restore method (your files will remain in place) or Refresh Your PC.

Note: To use this method, you must first create Windows image 8.

3) How to perform a full restore of Windows 8 without saving user data and installed applications having a Windows 8 installation disc. All your personal files and installed program will be deleted and the operating system will be restored to its original state.

4) . With this article you will learn how to boot into Safe mode Windows 8 and restore the system from it.

Due to the presence of viruses, driver or software mismatches, the OS may malfunction. If your Windows crashes, don’t rush to panic. The situation can be corrected by returning the state of files and programs to the moment when the PC was working properly.

While running OS Windows 7, 10 or 8, certain errors and problems may occur. As a result of such failures, starting the operating system again in operating mode becomes impossible. In this case, it is not at all necessary to do a time-consuming reinstallation of the OS. All you need to do is perform a system restore.

Recovering the OS using the recovery environment

When working we use the following scheme of actions:

  1. Reboot the computer, press the F8 key while loading;
  2. Troubleshooting;
  3. System restore, selecting an OS restore point;
  4. Click "Further" and again "Further";
  5. Press the button "Ready", we reboot the system (in the Menu, select boot with the last successful configuration).

There are several methods you can use to get your OS running again. Some of them rely on rolling back to saved settings. Others simply clear the data.

You can “reanimate” the OS in one of the following ways:

  • by selecting restore points;
  • using the command line;
  • through safe mode;
  • using a recovery environment;
  • using an image/boot disk.

Restoring the operating system using system “resuscitation” checkpoints is one of the most affordable, effective and popular options. To apply it, you need to make a series of clicks:

  1. Panel "Start";
  2. "System Restore";
  3. "Further";
  4. "Select a restore point";
  5. "Ready".

With such an operation, problems with the computer will be corrected, changes will be canceled and the system will be returned to the operating state that allowed the PC to boot normally. There is no loss of data, files and documents with this type of recovery. All data is saved. The operation is reversible. You can roll back the system to a previous computer state and use a different restore point.

Many people wonder how to make a recovery point on their own (manually) in order to choose it in the future? To do this in the same menu "Start" - "System Restore" You can create such a point yourself at any time convenient and suitable for you. It will be saved indicating the current date, which you just have to remember.

From restore point

In computer engineering there is such a thing as a recovery point. These are saved PC settings. As a rule, saving occurs automatically with each successful OS boot. Most easy way Windows 7 renewal is to use exactly this data.

Press F8 when your computer boots. This command will bring up a menu of system startup options. Next, you need to select the Last Known Good Configuration option.

Another method can be used. Go to the properties of the My Computer folder. Find the line System Protection, clicking on which will open the dialog box of the same name. Click Recovery – Next. We set target date, indicate the disks that need to be fixed, and confirm the actions. After rebooting, the PC should work normally.

No restore points

You can fix problems with the OS even without restore points. To do this you will need to resort to the LiveCD program. You need to download it and burn it to a flash drive with the .iso extension.
Further all actions will take place in the BIOS. You need to configure booting from a flash drive. To do this, in the Boot section, select USB-HDD in the First boot device line.

Before proceeding directly with the recovery, copy everything necessary files on removable drive. The LiveCD program provides a special menu for these purposes.

We will fix the system error using an archived copy. Connect the USB flash drive, open the Windows\System32\config\ folder. Files with the names default, sam, security, software, system must be moved to any other folder. In their place, transfer similar files from the RegBack folder and restart the computer.

The described method will only help if the problem is related to the registry.

Command line

You can resort to “reanimating” Windows 7 from the command line if the PC begins to freeze or works slowly, however, the system still boots. Enter the menu "Start" and using the right mouse button, launch the command prompt as administrator. Run the rstrui.exe command, which will open the system restore program. Click "Further". In the next window, select the desired rollback point and click again "Further". Once the process is complete, the PC should work normally.

There is another way to access the utility. Let's go to "Start". To open the command line, click "Run" and register CMD command. We click on the found CMD.exe file and wait for it to launch. Next, enter rstrui.exe in the command line and confirm the action with the Enter key on the keyboard.

It is not always possible to play it safe and create OS restore points in advance. Problems may arise that block the option of such “reanimation” of the PC. Then you can use another, no less effective and easy option - restoring the Windows system using the system itself.

We rely on the diagram:

  1. Icon "My computer"- right mouse button "Properties";
  2. "System protection";
  3. In the new window click "System protection", recovery button;
  4. "Further";
  5. Select a restore point according to the date;
  6. Specify the system disks to be restored;
  7. We confirm the operations and reboot the system.

Restoring Windows 7 using Safe Mode

This method is preferred if the usual system boot is impossible. Then after pressing the PC power button on system unit hold down the F8 key to call "Start Menu". One of the "Menu" options is "Safe mode". Select it and press Enter on the keyboard. As soon as Windows boots, we carry out the algorithm of actions that we described earlier.

System recovery Windows 8/8.1

If you managed to start the OS, you can resume Windows 8 via "Options". Hover over the top right corner and enter them. Click on "Change computer settings". Chapter "Recovery" will offer several options:

  1. "Regular recovery with information preservation".
  2. “Deleting data and reinstalling the OS”.
  3. "Special option".

Decide what exactly needs to be done. Next, follow the menu prompts.

If you choose the latter method, in the window that opens, click on the diagnostics item. You will be offered the following options:

  • "Restore";
  • "Return to original state";
  • "Extra options". This item includes the ability to roll back to the desired resume point.

To resume Windows 8.1, press Win+R and call sysdm.cpl. In the system properties window in the tab "Protection" specify the required system drive. Click "Restore". Clicking "Further", you will be able to see a list of rollback points. Select the one you want and click "Search for affected programs". Changes that have been made to the PC since the selected moment will be deleted. Complete the process by clicking "Ready".

If you work with Windows 8, problems may occur, incorrect work Internet, etc. To fix this, you can use the classic recovery method through restore points.

Another option is a system rollback. To do this, open the menu "Start" - "Control Panel" - "Center Windows updates» . Select an item "Removing updates". The same can be done using the command line.

So, in the list of updates that opens, we delete those from the moment of installation of which (we look by date) problems and malfunctions began. Delete unnecessary files and do a reboot.

You can perform a factory reset on Windows 8.1. Important files will not be affected during this operation. The method is effective, but to implement it, the OS needs to boot without problems. We use the algorithm:

  1. Right side of the monitor - "Options";
  2. "Change settings";
  3. "Update and Recovery" - "Recovery";
  4. "Recovery without deleting files".

If you cannot log into the system in the usual way, you must use the disk with the system. Load the installation disk, select "System Restore". Press the button "Diagnostics", And "Restore".

If you have problems with Windows 10, press Windows + Pause. Go to "System protection" and press "Restore""Further". Select the desired indicator and click again "Further". When finished, click "Ready". The computer will automatically restart and the changes will take effect.

One of the advantages of the “ten” is the ability to return the settings to factory settings. This helps avoid having to install the system all over again. To reset your data go to "Computer Settings""Update and Security""Recovery""Return the computer to its original state". Click "Begin".

You can take care of the possibility of a rollback in case of failure in advance. You can create resume points yourself or configure their automatic creation at the desired frequency. To do this, in the settings, in the Update and security item, select Backup service. Specify where to save copies, click Add disk. After selecting the device, the function will be activated.

You can restore your Windows 10 system again by using restore points. In this case, the system will be rolled back to the moment when it loaded smoothly and worked without failures. This recovery method is described at the beginning of the article.

If the OS does not boot, a warning table with a key appears on the screen "Additional recovery options". Click it and select "Diagnostics" - "System Restore". We select a Windows restore point, wait for the system to roll back and reboot.

If such operations do not help and the computer continues to work incorrectly, you can roll back to basic settings. Some programs and utilities, personal PC settings will be reset, and personal data will be deleted.

This technique is used extremely rarely if the other options described above do not help. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  1. "Start" - "Selecting parameters"- tab "Updates and Security";
  2. Paragraph "Recovery"- button "Begin";
  3. We choose to delete all files or keep some of them.

Recovering the system after this will take 40-90 minutes.

Resuming using the installation disc

One of the radical methods of fixing the error involves using an installation disk. After launching it in BIOS, click System Restore. In the Troubleshooting section, specify the desired action. Next, follow the system prompts to complete the process.

Although everyone understands that for stable operation of a PC it is simply necessary to keep its OS in working and healthy condition, sometimes the only way out is to restore Windows 8.1.

The recovery disk is a USB flash drive containing all the tools necessary to repair the system. It typically includes: Startup Repair, Updates, Reset, and System Restore.

To create a recovery disk, open the control panel and click on the “Recovery” section (the control panel is in the large or small icons view, this section is not in the category view). The top parameter of the window that opens is precisely responsible for creating the recovery disk we need. Click on it and go directly to creating the disc.

Clue. If you have a factory-preconfigured recovery partition on your computer, you can check the box to copy the recovery partition. True, this significantly increases the size of the recovery disk, and is only suitable for USB flash drives with a capacity of at least 32 GB, but it provides a valuable additional option for emergency recovery of Windows 8.1.

Once the disk is created, you can start your computer from it and access recovery options. However, do not forget that USB boot must be enabled in your motherboard's UEFI firmware.

Attention. If you're using Windows RT on a tablet, such as a Microsoft Surface, you should definitely create a recovery disk containing a system backup image. There is no other way to reinstall Windows RT except from a recovery disk, so if an accident occurs, you have only one option - to return the computer to the manufacturer to re-image it, which in our reality is unrealistic. To create a recovery disk with a full Windows RT system image, you will need a USB flash drive of only 4 GB.

Backup and restore Windows 8.1.

Since the days of Windows XP, when problems arise with the OS, it has been considered common practice to completely reinstall the operating system and all software. There are now several other ways to ensure the safety of your installed copy of Windows and recover it in the event of a crisis.

Note. Windows 8 includes a tool for Reserve copy complete system image, Windows 7 has options for restoring files. This functionality has been removed in Windows 8.1. An alternative to these functions in Windows 8.1 was its own recovery option.

Repair Windows 8.1 using the Quick Repair option.

With Windows 8.1, Microsoft introduced a new way to create a backup image that's so easy that anyone can use it. This new recovery option creates backup copy operating system, which can be easily launched from the computer settings or, by inserting a recovery disc, from the OS startup options.

Between the old in reserve system and the new recovery option there is one important difference. Even if you create your own custom recovery image, which, if anything happens, will restore all installed desktop programs, you will not be able to save their settings. This means that the software, e.g. Microsoft Outlook will be restored, but Accounts his Email will have to be configured again. Same with all other desktop applications.

However, most users don’t have to worry, Windows 8.1 synchronizes most of its settings, including for desktop applications, and the same Microsoft Office 2013 can synchronize its settings between different computers.

The easiest way to access the recovery option is in PC settings by selecting update and recovery there and then in the left navigation pane clicking recovery.

The recovery option is the first option at the top of the screen, by the way, there is an explanation of what will be done. When you are ready to restore your computer, click the GET START button. The process is fully automated.

Windows 8.1 will explain to you what will be done during the recovery process and ask you to confirm this operation. Clicking on the OK button will begin the action itself, which can take from 15 to 60 minutes, which directly depends on your created custom recovery image.

You can also restore your computer while Windows 8.1 is running. There are several ways to do this:

  1. If your computer fails to start three times, the repair process starts when you boot it up. If the computer cannot be repaired, he suggests additional features, including restoration.
  2. Starting the computer with a recovery disk; Please note that you may need to access boot options. You need to boot from a USB flash drive.
  3. Starting a computer with installation DVD disc Windows 8.1. On the settings screen, instead of system repair options, click the computer repair link.

Create a custom recovery image in Windows 8.1.

As mentioned above, you can create a custom recovery image. You may want to do this because by default, this feature will update your copy of Windows 8.1, keeping files and apps intact, but it will kill all desktop apps.

Creating a custom recovery image will take a snapshot of your computer complete with everything software desktop.

Note. Remember that when you restore from a custom recovery image, all desktop program settings are reset, so you will have to configure them again, however, if their settings are not automatically synchronized between computers.

To create a custom recovery image, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Click Win + X by opening the administration menu.
  2. Select and run Command Prompt (Administrator).
  3. Enter recimg -CreateImage C:\Folder, where C:\Folder is the location where you want to save the backup. This place may also be on another section hard drive or on another drive. You can add additional fault tolerance to your recovery image creation.

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