Programs to restore the correct operation of Windows 8.1. Windows System Restore

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 pre-installed operating system Windows 8, immediately, about a week after the update, the laptop froze during the game, I confess, the game is unlicensed. After a 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 the 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. 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 it starts automatic recovery and unsuccessfully, or maybe when loading you just get an error 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 log into 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 boot menu 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 installation disk Windows 8, then everything will be in Russian, consider this recovery option below.

Choose Troubleshoot(troubleshooting) or Diagnostics ( computer restoration, computer return to initial state or use of additional funds)

Advanced options(additional 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)

Additional options

System Restore

System Restore cannot be interrupted. Yes

Recovery Windows systems 8 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 deleting 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 produce full recovery Windows 8 without saving user data and installed applications with a Windows 8 installation disk. All yours personal files and installed programs will be removed 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.

In every new Windows versions its developers offer more and more advanced tools quick recovery systems. In this sense, Windows 8.1 is one of the most advanced. There are three levels of recovery for her:

1. Revert Windows 8.1 to an earlier restore point;
2. recovery Microsoft Windows 8.1 without deleting user files and data;
3. deleting all data (system and user information) and

Let's look at each recovery method in more detail.

Restoring Windows 8.1 from an early checkpoint

System Restore uses restore points to go back system files and parameters to the state at a certain point in time, without affecting the user’s personal files and data.

Restore points are automatically created weekly and before significant system events, such as installing programs or device drivers.

You can also create a restore point manually.

The safest option, from the point of view of preventing the loss of personal data and maintaining the functionality of applications, is system recovery. Windows automatically creates restore points either on a time basis (every 7 days), or when installing critical updates, or when installing programs that request this action from the system.

To be more sure, you should check whether such points are created on your computer. Click Win+Pause - Advanced system settings - System protection. If the recovery system is enabled, then on the contrary system disk it will say “Enabled”. To check if the points are being created, click Restore. In the point selection window, click the “Show other recovery points” checkbox.

In Windows 8.1, you don't need to delete old restore points. They are removed by the system itself when the storage space for recovery points runs out. But you can control the quantity disk space allocated for their storage. Click "Customize" in the System Protection settings window. The space allocated for storing backup points is determined by a percentage of the total disk space.

Please note that in Windows 8.1, user files are not deleted during recovery. Therefore, if you are sure that the problems started at some point, then you can safely return the computer to that point. However, it would be more correct to first try to remove the recently installed application. Perhaps the problem will correct itself.

Recovering your computer without deleting files

If your computer's performance has decreased for a reason unknown to you, you can restore it without deleting personal files or changing settings.

If your computer was upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 and has a Windows 8 recovery partition, upgrading your computer will restore you to Windows 8. Once the restore is complete, you will need to upgrade to Windows 8.1.

Applications you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Applications that were originally present on the computer or were installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. After recovery Windows computer will save a list of all deleted applications on the desktop.

Windows 8.1 clearly separates system files from user personal files. When something happens to the system: violations of some important files or failure of system settings that you find difficult to restore, you can quickly roll it back to its original state.

In this gentle reinstallation option, Windows will restore system files and reset all default settings that were on the computer when the system was first installed. Sometimes it helps and Windows performance is being restored.

Technically, “saving user files” looks like this. Before starting the reinstallation Windows data user files are automatically copied to a separate location, and after reinstalling the system, they are restored from the copy back.
To begin the Windows recovery procedure using this method, select “Computer Settings” and find the “Update and Recovery” item.

Please note that if the computer came with Windows 8, and then the system was updated to version 8.1, then the restoration will return the original, eighth version to life. And you will have to update it to 8.1 again. And of course, when reinstalling the system, you may need a DVD or flash drive with an image of the installation disk. Don't forget to pre-register Windows key. She can also ask him during reinstallation.

Second important point: all applications that the user has installed independently, except the store Windows applications, will be deleted. Actually, this is correct - it is third-party, sometimes untested applications that most often cause system failures.

Removing all data and reinstalling Windows

This method should be used only in extreme cases when recovery in the first scenario did not help. Copy all your document, photo and music files to a separate directory first. The fact is that Windows will destroy all the user’s personal files.

If your computer was upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 and has a Windows 8 recovery partition, the reset will restore your Windows 8 system. Once the restore is complete, you will need to upgrade to Windows 8.1.

All your personal files and settings will be lost. All applications you installed will be deleted. Only applications that were originally on the computer will be reinstalled.

Losing personal data is a problem, but all causes of system failure are eliminated. Therefore, in this version of system recovery, the chances of success are maximum. In this case, you will also need a system image on DVD or flash drive and a key.

The official Microsoft website reports that deleting all data and reinstalling Windows is required only if you are going to transfer the computer to someone else for eternal and undivided use. That is, for all other cases there is restore Windows 8.1 without deleting files.

Conclusion

If the performance of Windows 8.1 on your computer is impaired, then you can try the recovery methods indicated in this article, starting with the very first one. We move on to the next one only if the previous one did not work. If any problems arise, you can contact our specialists.

The fact is that the functionality of Windows can be lost not only due to a failure in the software, but also due to the failure of any hardware components of the computer. Therefore, if it was not possible to restore Windows using the indicated methods, it may be necessary to replace the damaged module.

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 backup full image system, Windows 7 has options for recovering files. This functionality has been removed in Windows 8.1. An alternative to these functions in Windows 8.1 is 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 software such as Microsoft Outlook will be restored, but accounts his email will have to be configured again. Same with all other desktop applications.

However, most users do not 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 clicking recovery in the left navigation pane.

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 here. 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 restore your computer during Windows startup 8.1. 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 your computer with the installation DVD Windows disk 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 need to do this because by default, this function will update your copy of Windows 8.1, keeping files and applications intact, but will destroy all desktop applications.

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

Note. Remember that when restoring from a custom recovery image, all settings are reset desktop programs, 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 line(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.

Failures happen, and at the most inopportune moments. Incorrect settings or an error in the program lead to Windows stopping working correctly or even starting. A Windows rollback will quickly restore functionality. When asking the question about rollback, users mean several different things:

• returning the PC to its previous state before a failure caused by installing programs;
• resuscitation of the OS after an unsuccessful update;
• return to the original state of the OS.

Rollback Windows using restore points

Users asking a question about Windows rollback, in 7 out of 10 cases, they involve undoing changes made when installing drivers or programs using restore points. It's built-in Windows function to quickly resurrect your computer after a crash.

Let's look at the cases in which error correction points are created:

• installation of applications;
• changing important OS parameters;
• driver installation;
• update;
• manual command launch by the user.

In any case, to roll back the system you will need control data. This method will only help in fairly mild cases.

Advice. You should not disable automatic point creation unless you are an experienced computer user. This will make solving problems much more difficult.

Windows configured as standard automatically creates backup files to undo the changes later. But the user has functionality for creating rollback points independently.

Consider a way to create a Windows 7 (8) restore point:

• Let's go to the section for managing PC resuscitation. It is located in the Control Panel menu.
• Click on change parameters.
• To create a point, use the “Create” button at the bottom of the window that opens.

This point will allow you to perform a system restore on Windows 7 or 8 using the same window.

If you need to perform a system restore on Windows 8, you should follow these steps:

• Go to the control panel and find the section responsible for changing the PC resuscitation parameters.
• Click on the “Run” button.
• Select a point that suits you and start the error correction process.

Important! If the computer does not start, then try restoring the system to Windows 8 through safe mode.

Reset your computer a few days ago in control points It is possible starting with Windows XP, but this method does not always work.

Rolling back updates

The company regularly releases updates for the operating system. They are important for maintaining a high level of security and eliminating any errors found. But the update may cause failures, and then you will need to roll back the updates.

There are three ways to perform a system rollback on Windows 8 if the update fails:

1. Use management through the Update Center.
2. Remove unnecessary packages from the command line.
3. Use third-party utilities.

For novice users, only the first method is suitable. To do this, open the “Update Center”, click the link “ Installed updates", which is located at the bottom left and delete unnecessary ones.

Important! If you reset the parameters, then installed programs will stop working.

Here is the procedure for resetting parameters:

• Open the right panel.
• Go to the “Settings” section.
• Find the appropriate section in the list.
• Run a reset while saving files.

Recovery Images

Windows provides the ability to do full copy computer state for recovery in the future. Such images are useful in case of critical failures, when you need to reinstall the OS in 10-50 minutes or you need to roll back the system back from Windows 8.1.

Let's consider what you should know before using this method of resuscitating a PC:

• The image for PC resuscitation is present on laptops with the Microsoft OS installed upon purchase. It is usually recorded on hard drive V hidden section or included on disk.
• The user can independently create recovery images. It is placed in a hidden partition or written to disk.
• It is allowed to include drivers and other files in the image.

If the image exists and the OS starts, then you can start system recovery on Windows 8 through the “Settings” section, using the corresponding function.

WATCH THE VIDEO

If the OS is not working, an image from the PC manufacturer allows you to restore the system through the BIOS, for which you will need to press the key combination described in the computer documentation. Now you know how to restore the system on Windows 8 and 8.1. We ask questions to the experts.

Windows 8 System Restore may be required if 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 to copy system files. All methods are presented below:

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

Let's consider each of the methods in detail. All instructions are fully working and suitable for any Windows builds 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 item “This computer” and click on it right click mouse 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 OS state.

Creating a checkpoint

If you don't have checkpoints created automatically, you can do it 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

First appeared in Windows 8 Refresh tool Your PC. 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 the search bar, enter the query “PC settings” and open the corresponding 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 the menu for complete reinstallation OS and return it to factory preset settings. Moreover, all personal files and installed applications will be deleted. 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 launching with a choice of action. Click on "Diagnostics".

As you can see, here you can perform all the same operations as in the Windows 8 interface. 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 the 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 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 the initial computer startup screen). Go to the "Boot" menu and install bootable USB flash drive 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, format the hard drive. 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 tools. 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.

This applies to Asus laptops, Lenovo, Acer, HP and many others. Let's look at the procedure using an example Acer Iconia tab w5100. 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 using this example you can easily restore Windows 8 on any device.

Conclusion

Using the methods described, you can return the working or original Windows status 8 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 is useful if Windows 8 does not start - the 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.