As part of the “going back to the drawing
board” idea in the design of Windows 8, developers wanted to
dramatically improve the process users follow when they’re having
trouble with their PCs. Instead of going through elaborate backup image
creation and restoring tasks, Windows 8 includes two simple new
utilities designed to give your computer a fresh start without a loss of
data for you.
>>>step-by-step: Refreshing Your PC
If you find that a few of your apps aren’t
working the way they should or your computer has been behaving
unreliably, you can refresh your computer to restore the files and
settings to their original state without losing your files, media, and
settings.
1. On the Windows 8 Start screen, display the Charms bar and tap or click Settings.
2. Tap or click More PC Settings. The PC Settings screen appears.
3. Select
General from the list on the right. Tap or click Get Started for the
Refresh Your PC without Affecting Your Files. Windows displays the
Refresh Your PC message, letting you know what will happen to your files
and program changes.
4.
Click Next. Windows 8 completes the refresh process, restarts your
computer, and returns you to the Windows 8 Lock screen so that you can
log in.
>>>step-by-step: When You Need to Start Again: Reset
As another result of green tech awareness,
people are donating and recycling their computers more than ever before.
This is a great thing, but there’s something you need to do before you
do it. You need to clean all your data, settings, and personal
information off your computer before donating it. And Reset will do the
trick for you.
1. Display the PC Settings screen and click the General category.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the General list and tap or click Get Started in the Reset Your PC and Start Over area.
3.
The Reset Your PC and Start Over message appears, letting you know that
your personal files and apps will be deleted and all PC settings will
be returned to the factory default settings. Click Next to continue.
Windows 8 launches the reset process and all your files and settings are removed from the computer.
Starting Windows or Restoring from Other Media
If
you have previously created a Windows system image or want to start
Windows from a USB or a DVD, you can use the Advanced Startup setting at
the bottom of the General category in the PC Settings screen.
