Factory Image Restore.

Hi
I have a spare computer that I would like to keep as a back up in case of problems with my new computer.
It is a Dell Inspiron P C which came with Windows 7 installed and has been updated to Windows 10.
I would like to do a Factory Image Restore to get rid of all the crap. My question is if I go ahead and do the restore will it restore to Win 7 or Win 10 ? I would like Win 10.

Thanks chubb3g114

 

It depends what 'crap' you want to get rid of. It might be simpler to just use a decent uninstaller (IoBit Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller, Geek Uninstaller = http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortname/uninstallers.html ) to remove any unneeded software (RESTART the system each time!), then run a secure system cleaner such as CCleaner (Slim) to get rid of leftovers and use its 'wipe free space' option to clean the drive.
It will save you all the hassle or a factory restore (which will go to 'factory settings) and then trying to get it back to Win 10.

 

You can make this work, but it may not be legal.

Note that Windows OEM/System Builder licenses are tied to the motherboard/computer they originally came with. It is most likely your new computer came with an OEM/System Builder license. You cannot legally use that license on a different computer. And you agreed to those terms when you decided to keep using the computer and Windows after you first turned it on. That makes it legally binding.

I recommend you use your old computer simply as a backup storage server. That is, store your image backups on that old computer. Then, should your new computer die, use your saved images from the old computer to restore an image back to the new computer once the new computer is repaired.

Note this is what I did with my old XP computer - I turned it into a NAS (network attached storage) device. I loaded it up with old hard drives and now I keep image files and copies of "My Documents" and such from my other computer on this NAS. Because it has XP on it, I blocked Internet access to/from it in my router, but all my attached computers can access it just fine.

 

Go to settings - recovery - reset my pc - get started -choose to reset with/without files. You licence is tied to the computer, and mine refreshed with no problems.
However, I found Microsoft site for you for peace of mind. -
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10startfresh
Also next link gives more information, if you click reset this pc.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options
You cannot go back to Windows 7, now, anyway, unless you have a disc, and the licence label is still on the computer, and readable.

 

I should remind you that I just went on-line once reset, and ready to activate automatically - Do not put in a coa- just instal without a number.

 

If you go into Windows 10 Settings and do the 'Reset MY PC", it will bring you back to a fresh installation of Windows 10. The Dell factory restore will take you back to when you bought it, meaning Windows 7.

 

I found I could not use factory restore on my Lenova, to go back to 8.1 , as I understood Microsoft made it difficult after thefree update to 10 initiation period- but perhaps the Dell might -

 

Hi
Thanks for all the replies, I have used "Reset my PC" and all is fine.

Thank you, chubb3g114

 

Good to see yu have it as you want it, now