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Restore Windows 8 Using the Factory Image Restore Method in Dell Backup and Recovery

Summary: This article provides instructions on how to restore your computer to a factory image in Windows 8 using Dell Backup and Recovery.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content


Symptoms

NOTE: Be aware if your computer has been reimaged and a new Dell Backup and Recovery image has not been created using the software, this option is not shown in the recovery menu. If you must reinstall the application, go to https://www.dell.com/backupandrecovery.

New versions of Dell Backup and Recovery may differ slightly from the screenshots below.

CAUTION: This process erases your hard drive, including your data, then reinstall the previous backup file. This process once started, cannot be interrupted. If you attempt to interrupt the process (for instance, by turning off your computer), your computer may not boot and could cause data loss.

Cause

Cause information is not available.

Resolution

Dell Backup and Recovery can recover the Operating computer or backup from the recovery partition as well. To recover the operating system from the recovery partition, follow these steps:

NOTE: If the Operating System cannot be accessed due to boot failure, you can still launch Dell Backup and Recovery. Go to https://www.dell.com/backupandrecovery for more information about how to access to Dell Backup and Recovery during System Boot.
  1. For laptops, ensure to plug in the AC adapter.

  2. Point to the right-hand corner of the screen to bring up the Windows Charms bar This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..

  3. Click Settings.

    Charms bar menu in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1
    Figure 1: Image of charms bar menu and location of Settings option.

  4. Click the shutdown button, then hold down the Shift Key and click Restart from the options provided.

    Restart option in the power menu
    Figure 2: Image of Restart option in the power menu.

  5. The computer restarts, login, and click Troubleshoot.

    Troubleshoot option in the advanced boot menu
    Figure 3: Image of Troubleshoot option from advanced boot menu.

  6. Click the Dell Backup and Recovery icon.

    Dell backup and recovery option in the advanced boot menu
    Figure 4: Image of Dell Backup and Recovery option from menu.

    NOTE: If the option for Dell Backup and Recovery is not present on this screen, then the software was either not installed, or a valid restore backup was not found.
  7. The computer restarts, click Next on the Dell Backup and Recovery Screen.

    Repair process in Dell backup and recovery
    Figure 5: Image of Dell Backup and Recovery repair process screens.

  8. The computer is checked to see if the Smart Repair option can fix any issues, click Next once this is done.

    Checking system in Dell backup and recovery
    Figure 6: Image of Dell Backup and Recovery checking computer screen.

  9. You are prompted to select the backup to be used, click the factory image option, or select from one of the backups. Click Next.

    Selecting a backup image in Dell backup and recovery
    Figure 7: Image of backup image selection screen.

  10. You are prompted to back up your files, if needed do so by selecting the option Yes, backup my personal files (Make sure to have an external backup hard drive handy.) Or select No, Erase my files.

    Backup personal files in Dell backup and recovery
    Figure 8: Image of recovery option page on backing up personal files.

  11. The computer goes ahead and completes the restore of the operating system. Click Restart when prompted.

    NOTE: Some of these steps may take some time to complete depending on the build of your computer and its components and the size of the backup that is being restored.

    Recovery process complete in Dell backup and recovery
    Figure 9: Image of recovery process completed page.

  12. Follow the on-screen instructions to setup Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.

NOTE: If you receive an error during this process take note of the error code displayed. Try searching this support site or the Microsoft Knowledge Base for possible fixes or workarounds using the code as part of your search.

Additional Information

SLN155115_en_US__15BACKUP  Learn more on our Data Storage and Back-Up Solutions support page.

SLN155115_en_US__16Windows
More information and support for your Windows operating systems can be found on our Windows Support webpage.

Article Properties


Affected Product
Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, Dell Backup and Recovery Manager Version 1.0 , Dell Backup and Recovery Manager Version 1.2, Dell Backup and Recovery Manager Version 1.3 ...
Last Published Date

10 Feb 2023

Version

7

Article Type

Solution