In windows8, Microsoft added many features that make the whole experience very fantastic for the users. In these features, two of them are very interesting that are Refresh PC and Reset PC. These features help to fix the issues by either refreshing the computer or by resetting the whole settings of the computer. The windows by using these features can be set back to the default using these features. Windows will delete the data and installed applications to reset the default settings.
There is some difference between these features when you refresh your PC, it will allow you to save your documents, file etc and sets your PC in the default mode. The reset features actually deletes every documents and files in the PC and then sets the Windows to the default mode.
The windows will prompt you when you will run the Reset or Refresh command. You can get the message that is “Insert media: Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files”.
However, we have the Windows 8 installations media with us, as it is better to make some custom setting so you can get the windows reset without the recovery media. The users who want to reset their PC’s without any media attached can follow these procedures
Steps To Refresh or Reset Windows 8
Step1:
Create a folder with the name of WIN8 in the root drive of your PC. It is that drive where the windows are installed mostly C:. If C: is your root drive then you creating a folder under the C-drive.
Step 2:
Insert the installation media for windows 8 and search to the SOURCE FOLDER and copy the install.wim to the WIN8 folder in the root drive.If you are using Windows 8 ISO, file then just right click on the file and select the MOUNT OPTION. Then you can copy the install.wim file to the SOURCE FOLDER.
Step 3:
Type CMD in the start screen and with that press Ctrl+ Alt +Del to launch Command prompt with the administrative rights.
Step 4:
Type the following command in the CMD (command prompt)
COMMAND: reagentc.exe /setosimage /path C:Win8 /target c:Windows /Index 1
Step 5:
Close the prompt and now your windows are prepared for the now your windows are prepared for the RESET and REFRESH operation.
Steps To Refresh or Reset Windows 8 Without Installation Media
Step 1:
Open Control panel or settings folder. You can do this by pressing Windows + I keys along with Enter key.
Step 2:
In the left pane of the dialog box, click on the GENERAL to see the RESET/REFRESH your PC options. When you click on GET STARTED option below the RESET AND REFRESH your PC option. The windows now will not prompt when you do the refreshing or resetting of the PC.
Preparation of PC for Refresh operation
In this, we will be looking to create a custom Windows image to refresh your PC. This custom image can be used for the Refresh PC operation.
Step 1:
On your hard disk drive (HDD), make a folder with the name Win8Image. Check the space in the drive. This step requires a lot of space. The space required is dependent on the applications and other files in the Windows installed Drive.
You can also make the folder-using command line where you can enter the following command.
Command: mkdir D:Win8Image
Step 2:
Open the command prompt and type the following command in it.
Command: recimg –CreateImage D:Win8Image
Here Win8Image is the location that you just created in the previous step.
When done you can perform the Refresh operation, when performed the newly created image will be used as a base file.
