How to reset Windows 7, restore Windows 7 fastest

There are many good reasons to reset the operating system. Perhaps you want to delete all personal data on your Windows computer before selling it, the computer has been infected with a harmful virus while browsing the web and there is no other way to remove it, or the PC performance has deteriorated. decreased after many years of use.

If you want to solve problems in the Microsoft operating system, improve performance and delete files, you should reset Windows 7. TipsMake will show you how to do it in the following article.

What options do you have to reset Windows 7?

If you want to perform a reset and return Windows 7 to factory settings, you have a few options. Deciding which option is best will depend on the results you are looking for. The Windows system allows you to reset without losing personal data to return to factory settings or reset using the download manager.

When performing a reset, you have the option to simply reset system files or roll Windows back to predetermined system restore points. These capabilities will come in handy if you want to restore the system to its previous state. And finally, the system can also return to the state it was in when the device was brand new (factory condition). However, that also means you will lose all your files and programs, unless you have backed them up. In the next section, the article will go through each of the above options in detail.

Note:

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. Technical support and security updates are no longer available for this product. Professional support for companies, which comes at its own cost, is an exception and will remain in effect until 2023.

If you are not in this group, you should switch to a newer version of Windows. You can learn more about this in the article: Things to do to 'live healthy' on Windows 7 after this operating system is discontinued.

Reset Windows 7 from the previously created restore point

Advantages : Fast operation, can retain data before creating a restore point.

Disadvantage : Must create a restore point before.

The Windows 7 operating system can only be truly reset by reinstalling it. Sometimes reinstallation cannot be avoided. Malware, hardware problems, or performance issues often require a complete reset. At the same time, important files need to be kept. In this case, system and personal files can be backed up very easily using tools provided by Windows.

Ideally, you should perform regular backups so that your desired files are secure and you can refresh your operating system any time you need to. Resetting with this backup tool works as follows:

1. How to create a Restore point to restore Windows 7

Normally, your Windows computer will automatically create restore points if you enable the System Restore feature. However, if you turn this feature off, you will have to manually create a restore point every time you make changes that could lead to errors in the operating system.

To create a restore point, follow these steps:

Step 1 : Click Start then select Control Panel.

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Step 2 : Access System and Security.

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 Step 3 : Click on System.

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Step 4 : Select System Protection in the left sidebar of the window.

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Step 5a : In the System Properties window , select drive C then click Create in the " Create a restore point right now. " section.

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Step 6a : Name the restore point (remember to fill in the date for easy tracking) and then click Create. You wait a while for the system to finish creating the restore point.

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 2. Restore Windows 7 from the restore point

You follow steps 1 to 4 in part 1. Next, from step 5, do the following:

Step 5b : In the System Properties window , click the System Restore button.

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Step 6b : Click Next to continue.

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Step 7 : In this window, choose the restore point that you feel is best then click Next.

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Step 8 : Click Finish then wait for the system to automatically restore to the previous time.

Reset Windows 7 using the download manager

Windows Media Creation Tool helps you reset the operating system, but currently, it is only available for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. If Windows 7 needs to be reset, you will need a download manager that works like Windows ISO Downloader.

The program may not be developed by Microsoft itself, but still uses officially licensed downloads from Microsoft. With the help of this tool you will create a copy of Windows 7 that can be transferred to a data provider or opened using a VirtualBox installation.

Instructions to reset Windows 7 using ISO Downloader

1. Install Windows ISO Downloader .

2. On the Microsoft website, you can select the operating system version to download the ISO tool.

3. Download links will now be generated for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

4. Start downloading.

5. Note that you need a license to use it, as it is legally downloaded through Microsoft.

To reset Windows 7, you still need to download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. Now you have everything you need to create installation/recovery media for Windows 7. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Open the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool  program .

2. Then you can select the ISO file downloaded in the first step and click Next to continue.

3. Now, choose a medium on which you want to save the ISO file. To do this, click on 'USB device' or 'DVD' .

4. Connect the corresponding storage media to the device and select 'Begin copying'.

5. The storage media will now become bootable recovery media (plug in before turning on the computer). Once booted, you can access the recreated version of Windows 7 on the media and begin system recovery. This is especially useful if the operating system is damaged to the point that you can no longer start Windows normally from the hard drive.

Factory reset Windows 7 - with or without installation disc

If you still have the original installation CD for Windows 7, simply boot from it as follows:

1. Open the boot menu when the computer starts - depending on the computer or BIOS version, use the F12, F8, DEL or ESC keys .

2. In the boot options, select the CD/DVD drive where the disc is stored.

3. Now, proceed with a complete reinstallation of Windows. To do this, follow the instructions on the installation CD.

4. Installation may take some time.

If the Windows 7 settings saved by the manufacturer are stored on the computer, it is also possible to restore to factory settings without a CD using the following instructions.

1. Select the 'System and Security' category in Control Panel.

2. In the 'Backup and restore' section , you can find 'Recover system settings on your computer' .

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Then click 'Advanced recovery settings' .

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3. Then you need to click on 'Return your computer to factory condition' .

4. Reset the computer according to the instructions.

Note:

If you restore Windows 7 to factory settings, all personal files will be lost.

This method does not work if the 'Return your computer to factory condition' option is not present. In this case, you can reset to recovery mode. The following steps are also necessary:

1. Restart in recovery mode: When you reboot, you'll get information on how to access the mode at the bottom of the screen - typically using the F- key like F11 or F9.

2. In recovery mode, use the arrow buttons to select the 'Recovery' option.

3. Now click 'Next' , confirm by clicking 'Next' again and if applicable, disconnect the keyboard and mouse from the computer.

4. After that, factory settings will begin to be restored.

Restore factory settings from the recovery partition

Some computers may have a recovery partition that allows users to restore the system to default factory settings. Follow the instructions below to see how:

1. On the keyboard, press the key with the Windows logo and the E key at the same time to open File Explorer.

2. Right-click Computer , then select Manage.

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 3. Click Storage , then select Disk Management.

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4. Check if you have a recovery partition on your computer.

Note : If you find the recovery partition, follow the instructions below. If you don't have a recovery partition, move on to another method

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5. Turn off the computer, then disconnect all peripheral devices from the computer (except the monitor, keyboard, and mouse).

6. Press the power button to turn on the computer, then, before the Windows logo appears, repeatedly press the recovery key on the keyboard.

Note : The recovery key may vary depending on the device. Here's how to access the recovery partition for the most popular brands:

Note : If you cannot find the corresponding function key for your computer, refer to the computer manufacturer's website for more information.

7. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the computer.

Restore factory settings for Dell Windows 7 laptop

Follow the steps below:

1. First, back up your computer, save all important files and documents to an external hard drive. If you factory reset your Windows 7 laptop, all personal data will be deleted from your computer.

2. Turn off the laptop properly and disconnect all peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, network cables and USB, etc.

3. Power on the laptop by pressing the power button and continuously pressing F8 until the Dell logo appears on the screen. Now, you will see the Advanced Boot Options menu . If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear, restart the computer and repeat the above process.

4. After opening the Advanced Boot Options menu , using the arrow keys on the keyboard, select the "Repair Your Computer" option , then press the Enter button. This will open the System Recovery Options menu .

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5. After clicking the "Repair your Computer" option , select the keyboard layout and click the Next button.

6. Now, log in as admin or local user and click the OK button.

7. You will see two options. Now, select "Dell Factory Image Restore" or "Dell Factory Tools" and then click the Next button.

8. This is the Confirm Data Deletion menu . Select the option Yes, reformat the hard drive and restore system software to factory condition and click the Next button.

9. Now, Windows 7 is restoring factory settings. The process will take some time to complete. Once setup is complete, you'll see a notification that your computer has been restored to factory condition.

10. Click the Finish button and the laptop will reboot.

Restore factory settings for HP laptops running Windows 7

Follow the steps below:

1. Repeat the above two steps of the method to factory reset a Dell laptop running Windows 7 above. Back up your computer, turn off your laptop properly and disconnect all peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, network cables, USB, etc.

2. Now, power on the laptop by clicking the power button. Click on the Start menu. If you find any problems during Windows startup and cannot click the Start menu, restart the computer and immediately press the F11 key repeatedly. Now, your computer has the Recovery Manager window open.

3. After clicking the Start menu, click the All Programs button and then select Recovery Manager.

4. Now, click on the Recovery Manager option , you will be asked to enter the admin password. Enter the admin password and continue.

5. Now, the User Account Control window will ask if you want the program to make changes to your computer, select Yes. The Recovery Manager window will display on the screen.

6. On the Recovery Manager  window , select the System Recovery option in the I need help immediately section .

7. After clicking System Recovery , a new window will appear and ask if you want the computer to be restored to its original factory condition. Select Yes , then click the Next button. Now, the computer will restart and you will see the Recovery Manager window on the screen again.

8. Click the System Recovery button and then click Recover without backing up your files .

9. Now, click the OK button to confirm that you want to restore factory settings and then click the Finish button.

10. Now, the process of restoring factory settings for HP Windows 7 laptop is complete.

Hope you are succesful.

David Pac

Update 17 October 2023