Pre-Installed Windows 8 desktop needs to be reset. Couldn't find installation disk.

[littleboopip]

I have to reset my computer that is running windows 8 but i cannot find my installation disk. I read that if my desktop came pre-installed with Windows 8, it doesn't come with an installation disk? I want to make sure that I can still install Windows 8 when I reset my computer to factory default. (There is an error that cannot be fixed unless I reset my system)

 

[Saga Lout]

Why do you think you need to "reset" it? Posters here wll probably be able to help you without going that far then you can take the upgrade to Windows 10 and clean everything up.

 

[littleboopip]

Why do you think you need to "reset" it? Posters here wll probably be able to help you without going that far then you can take the upgrade to Windows 10 and clean everything up.

Hello, I was told (cyberpower tech) to run a sfc/scannow from the c: prompt. It found corrupt files that cannot be fixed. They said I need to reset my computer to clear everything out. My main problem was that my computer won't go into sleep/hibernate mode. If it did go to sleep mode at a random time, it would turn itself on without my touching it and remain on for the rest of the day.

Do you think I should update first to Windows 10 and see if that will fix my problem?

 

[little_me]

Upgrading to windows 10 could fix the issue and if it doesnt, windows 10 allows you to factory reset it from within itself, no external disc/installation disc needed.

Just remember to ALWAYS choose upgrade and not clean install on first time you upgrade to windows 10 to keep the windows activated/working. (you can then factory reset it after upgrade has gone through to do a clean install equivalent after windows10 has activated)

 

[Shaun o]

Well you could upgrade to windows 10 if you wish, that is down to personal preference.

Anyway if your system was pre built.
what you are looking for in windows is a third party restore and backup program, or one used to clone the hard drive that is installed on windows 8 ok.

Or you can use windows backup and restore within windows 8.
The hard drive you have is split into sections, and part of it is reserved with a snapshot or a save of when windows 8 was installed to your hard drive.

That part of the hard drive is hidden when in the windows os.
So you cannot see it, or click on it to accidentally delete the image, makes sense.

All you need to do is use windows backup and restore, or third party program and run it.
Select from image, or backup. file.

Then search your hard drive for a volume that says windows 8 ect.
The hidden folder will show.

Click inside the folder and select the .img file ect. click ok and next.

It will then warn you that all personal data such as pictures, documents will be wiped as a factory restore of windows 8 is about to install.

Just click ok let it do it`s thing.
And when the system restarts you will be asked to create a user account ect just as you did the first time you powered on the system after you bought it and set it up ok.

 

[Saga Lout]

I reckon the upgrade to 10 is the best route. Cloning will only copy what it finds so the missing files wlil still be missing. Backup and restore carries a risk of losing all your files.

It is a personal choice but 10 is what 8 should have been. I regard it as Windows 7 Service Pack 4 and it is worth having so long as you take care to negate all the Privacy default is Settings then kill WiFi Sense and change the computer name.

Hibernation has been a pain in all the Windows versions following XP. Turn it off in an elevated Command Prompt by typing
powercfg hibernate off
and press Enter.