Reference Guide

Starting Dell Factory Image Restore
NOTE: Using Dell Factory Image Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any programs or drivers
installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before performing Dell Factory Image Restore. Use Dell
Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
1. Turn on or restart the computer.
2. When the DELL logo appears, press F8 a few times to access the Advanced Boot Options window.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows
desktop; then, reboot your computer and try again.
3. Select Repair Your Computer.
The System Recovery Options window appears.
4. Select a keyboard layout and click or tap Next.
5. Log on to a local computer.
6. Select Dell Factory Image Restore or Dell Factory Tools > Dell Factory Image Restore (depending on the configuration of
your computer).
7. Click or tap Next.
The Confirm Data Deletion screen appears.
NOTE: If you do not want to proceed with Dell Factory Image Restore, click or tap Cancel.
8. Select the check box to confirm that you want to continue reformatting the hard drive and restoring the system software to the
factory condition, then click or tap Next. The restore process begins and may take 20 or more minutes to complete.
9. When the restore operation is complete, click or tap Finish to restart the computer.
System Restore
CAUTION: Backup data files regularly. System Restore does not monitor or recover your data files.
System Restore is a Microsoft Windows tool that helps you undo software changes to your computer without affecting your personal
files like documents, photos, emails, and so on.
Every time you install a software or device driver, your computer updates Windows system files to support the new software or
device. Sometimes, this may cause some unexpected errors. System Restore helps you restore the Windows system files to the state
prior to the installation of the software or device driver.
System Restore creates and saves restore points at regular intervals. You use these restore points (or create your own restore points)
to restore your computer’s system files to an earlier state.
Use system restore if changes to software, drivers or other system settingshave left your computer in an undesirable operating state.
NOTE: If newly installed hardware may be a cause, remove or disconnect the hardware and try a system restore.
NOTE: System restore does not backup your personal files and hence it cannot recover your personal files that are deleted or
damaged
Windows 10
Using system restore
1. Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, and then select Control Panel.
2. Type Recovery in the search box.
3. Click or tap Recovery.
4. Click or tap Open System Restore.
5. Click or tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
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