How to reset windows 8.1 to factory settings without cd

If you have a computer or laptop with Windows 8/8.1 pre-installed, you may need to factory reset your Windows 8 computer when you encounter the following cases.

Case 1. There is a system failure/crash for unknown causes. Or various reasons cause your system to run more and more slowly. But you don't know how to resolve the problem.

Case 2. Before you give, donate, or sell your computer or laptop to someone else, you need to make your computer its factory condition.

Case 3. You forgot login password for Windows 8 and can't find any effective solutions.

If you meet the above problems or some other situations, you can choose to factory reset your Windows 8 computer to the original condition when you bought it. For factory reset, Windows 8 has more options than earlier Windows operating system. Following, firstly pick a right way depending on whether you can login to Windows 8.


  • Way 1: If you still can login to system, factory reset your computer within Windows 8
  • Way 2: If you can't login to system, reset Windows 8 computer on the sign-in screen
  • Way 1: Factory reset your Windows 8 computer within system

    Step 1: Sign in to your Win 8 system.

    Step 2: Press Win + I to bring out Settings and then click Change PC settings.

    Step 3: On PC settings window, select General. Scroll down until you see Remove everything and reinstall Windows. Then click Get Started.

    How to reset windows 8.1 to factory settings without cd

    Step 4: Click Next. (If your computer has more than one drive, then you will be asked to select one option to clean your drive.) Next, choose Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive depending on your own need.

    How to reset windows 8.1 to factory settings without cd

    Step 5: Click Reset. Then it starts to reset your computer. You will see Windows 8 restarts and your computer logo appears while the process completes.

    How to reset windows 8.1 to factory settings without cd

    Way 2: Factory reset Windows 8 computer on sign-in screen

    Step 1: Start your computer and get to Windows 8 sign-in screen.

    Step 2: Click the Power button. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking Restart.

    How to reset windows 8.1 to factory settings without cd

    Step 3: After your computer restarts, the Choose an option screen will display. Click Troubleshoot -> Reset your PC. Then click Next.

    Step 4: Windows 8 restarts and your computer logon displays. And then Reset your PC screen displays again. Click Next. (If your computer has more than one drive, you will be asked to select one option to clean your drive.)

    Step 5: You are asked if you want to fully clean your drive. Choose Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive and then click Reset. While reset process completes you will see your computer restarts again and your computer logon displays.

    Tips: Factory reset computer can solve many system problems. But if it is because of forgetting login password that causes you to fail to logon to your Windows 8, factory reset is indeed one solution but not the only and best option. The best solution is to select one appropriate way to reset or remove the forgotten password and regain access to your Win 8 system.

    On the other hand, factory reset doesn't solve all system problems. If your Windows 8 totally can't start, even factory reset doesn't work, then you need to reinstall system.

    Related Articles

    How to reset windows 8.1 to factory settings without cd

    • How do I restore my computer to factory settings Windows 8.1 without a computer?
    • How do I return Windows 8 to factory settings?
    • How do you delete everything on a Windows 8 computer?
    • How do I Reset my Windows 8 computer without logging in?
    • How do I factory reset my computer without a disk?
    • How do I completely wipe my computer Windows 10?
    • How do I reset my HP computer to factory settings Windows 8?
    • Does resetting PC remove virus?
    • How do I wipe my Windows 7 computer clean?
    • How do I wipe my old computer clean?
    • How do you completely clean your computer?
    • Why does Windows prepare to delete?
    • How can I reset my computer without a password?
    • How can I get into my laptop if I forgot the password Windows 8?

    Reset without installation media

    1. Boot into your Windows 8/8.1.
    2. Go to Computer.
    3. Go to the main drive, e.g. C: This is the drive where your Windows 8/8.1 is installed on.
    4. Create a new folder, called Win8.
    5. Insert the Windows 8/8.1 installation media and go to the Source folder. …
    6. Copy the install.wim file from the Source folder.

    How do I return Windows 8 to factory settings?

    Factory reset Windows 8

    1. The first step is to open the system settings using the Windows shortcut ‘Windows’ key + ‘i’.
    2. From there, select “Change PC settings”.
    3. Click on “Update & Recovery” and then on “Recovery”.
    4. Then select “Get started” under the heading “Remove everything and reinstall Windows”.

    How do you delete everything on a Windows 8 computer?

    If you’re using Windows 8.1 or 10, wiping your hard drive is easy.

    1. Select Settings (the gear icon on the Start menu)
    2. Select Update & security, then Recovery.
    3. Choose Remove everything, then Remove files and clean the drive.
    4. Then click Next, Reset, and Continue.

    How do I Reset my Windows 8 computer without logging in?

    Hold down the SHIFT key and click on the Power icon visible on the bottom right of Windows 8 login screen, then click Restart option. In a moment you’ll see the recovery screen. click on the Troubleshoot option. Now click on the Reset your PC option.

    How do I factory reset my computer without a disk?

    Restore without installation CD/DVD

    1. Turn on the computer.
    2. Press and hold the F8 key.
    3. At the Advanced Boot Options screen, choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
    4. Press Enter.
    5. Log in as Administrator.
    6. When Command Prompt appears, type this command: rstrui.exe.
    7. Press Enter.

    How do I completely wipe my computer Windows 10?

    Windows 10 has a built-in method for wiping your PC and restoring it to an ‘as new’ state. You can choose to preserve just your personal files or to erase everything, depending on what you need. Go to Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery, click Get started and select the appropriate option.

    How do I reset my HP computer to factory settings Windows 8?

    To do this, you need to open the Choose an option screen.

    1. Start your computer and press the F11 key repeatedly. …
    2. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.
    3. Click Reset your PC.
    4. On the Reset your PC screen, click Next. …
    5. Read and respond to any screens that open.
    6. Wait while Windows resets your computer.

    Does resetting PC remove virus?

    The recovery partition is part of the hard drive where your device’s factory settings are stored. In rare cases, this can become infected with malware. Hence, doing a factory reset will not clear the virus.

    How do I wipe my Windows 7 computer clean?

    1. Click Start, then choose “Control Panel.” Click “System and Security,” then choose “Restore Your Computer to an Earlier Time” in the Action Center section. 2. Click “Advanced Recovery Methods,” then choose “Return Your Computer to Factory Condition.”

    How do I wipe my old computer clean?

    Typically, older computers still have more life in them, and there’s always someone who can use them.

    Android

    1. Open Settings.
    2. Tap System and expand the Advanced drop-down.
    3. Tap Reset options.
    4. Tap Erase all data.
    5. Tap Reset Phone, enter your PIN, and select Erase Everything.

    How do you completely clean your computer?

    Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. You should see a title that says “Reset this PC.” Click Get Started. You can either select Keep My Files or Remove Everything. The former resets your options to default and removes uninstalled apps, like browsers, but keeps your data intact.

    Why does Windows prepare to delete?

    Upon flagging a folder for deletion in the traditional fashion, Windows begins by calculating the total folder size, number of items contained within it, and the estimated completion time. This “Preparing to Delete” phase can consume a sizable amount of time itself depending on the contents being deleted.

    How can I reset my computer without a password?

    How can I reset a PC if I forgot the administrator password?

    1. Turn off the computer.
    2. Turn on the computer, but while it is booting, turn off the power.
    3. Turn on the computer, but while it is booting, turn off the power.
    4. Turn on the computer, but while it is booting, turn off the power.
    5. Turn on the computer and wait.

    How can I get into my laptop if I forgot the password Windows 8?

    Go to account.live.com/password/reset and follow the on-screen prompts. You can reset a forgotten Windows 8 password online like this only if you’re using a Microsoft account. If you’re using a local account, your password is not stored with Microsoft online and so can’t be reset by them.

    How do I restore Windows 8.1 without a disk?

    Windows 8 comes with a built-in feature that allows you to reinstall a clean version of Windows 8 without having to use an installation disk or product key. Windows 8 can be reinstalled using either the “Refresh your PC” or “Reset your PC” options under Settings.

    How do I restore Windows 8 without installation or recovery media?

    After following these steps, you can reset the Windows 8/8.1 system without the installation media:.
    Go to PC Settings. The Windows 8 Advanced startup screen in PC settings..
    Click Get started at the Reset your PC section..

    How do I reset my computer to factory settings without a Windows CD?

    Restore without installation CD/DVD.
    Turn on the computer..
    Press and hold the F8 key..
    At the Advanced Boot Options screen, choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt..
    Press Enter..
    Log in as Administrator..
    When Command Prompt appears, type this command: rstrui.exe..
    Press Enter..

    How do I force factory reset my PC?

    Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery. On the Recovery screen, click Get started under Reset this PC, which offers you two choices – Keep my files or Remove everything. The latter is what you want if you're getting rid of your computer and want to factory reset it first.