How to Reset Windows Vista to Factory Settings: 5 Easy Ways

If your Windows Vista computer stops working unexpectedly due to a system error or virus, or you want to completely wipe the hard drive and restore your computer to its original factory settings, you can reset your computer using any one of several methods. You can either perform a system restore, restore the contents of your computer from a previous system image backup, reinstall Windows, or simply restore your computer to its original factory settings.

Resetting Windows Vista: Fast Facts

To completely wipe Windows Vista, you can do a factory reset from the Advanced Boot Options menu (F8 menu), or reinstall from an installation disc.
Use a System Restore if you want to restore your PC to a point in time at which it was working well.
You can also restore your PC from a backup, with or without a disc.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Restoring to Factory Settings

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Power on your computer and press F8 repeatedly. Keep pressing F8 until the "Advanced Boot Options" menu appears.
- If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not display, restart your computer and try again.
- This method will delete everything on your computer and reinstall Windows Vista. If you want to keep your data, be sure to make a backup first.
- You will need to have a factory image of Windows Vista on this computer for this method to work.
You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate.

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Enter your Vista username and password to log in now.
For example, if you are using a computer manufactured by Dell, select “Dell Factory Image Restore.”
This option will delete all existing partitions, allowing you to format your drive(s) and start from scratch.
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Click Next to reset your PC. Your computer will be restored to its original factory settings.
- When the process is complete, click Finish to set up your computer like new.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Reinstalling from an Installation Disc

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Insert your Windows Vista disc and reboot your PC. If your PC is set to boot from the CD/DVD-ROM drive, it will prompt you to press any key to boot from the Windows Vista installation disc. Press any key to continue.
- If you are already signed in to Windows Vista and just want to reinstall the operating system, inserting the disc will ask you if you want to install Windows Vista.
- If booting up takes you to your normal Windows Vista installation instead of asking you to boot from CD or DVD, you will need to boot into the BIOS to change the boot order so that your CD/DVD ROM drive comes first.
- If you don't have a Windows Vista DVD, you can borrow one from someone or create one yourself.
Once your PC boots from the Vista DVD, you'll see the Install Windows welcome screen.
Read and review the Windows Vista license terms, check the box next to “I accept the license terms,” and click Next to continue.
This option allows you to choose to do a clean reinstall/reset of Windows Vista.
If your drive has multiple partitions, select the partition on which you want to install Windows Vista.
The Windows Vista installation process will begin, and your computer will be returned to its default settings.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Doing a System Restore

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Click the Start menu and select All Programs. Use this method to restore Windows Vista to a point in time when it was working better. This will not completely erase your data.^{[1]
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- For this method to work, you must have at least one restore point.
Several system administration tools will appear.
The System Restore window will display on-screen.
Click the radio button next to the restore point for which you want your computer restored. You can either choose the restore point recommended by Windows or choose a different restore point.
Your computer’s system files will be restored to the earlier date and time you specified, and your personal files will not be affected.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Restoring from Backup (with Disc)

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If you still have the installation disc, insert it into your optical drive. If you don't, you can borrow any Windows Vista installation disc.
If you're signed in to Windows Vista, click the Start menu, click the arrow next to the lock icon, then click Restart. Your computer will restart and recognize the Windows Installation disc upon startup.
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Press any key when prompted to do so by Windows Vista. This tells your PC to boot from the Vista CD/DVD.
- If booting up takes you to your normal Windows Vista installation instead of asking you to boot from CD or DVD, you will need to boot into the BIOS to change the boot order so that your CD/DVD ROM drive comes first.
You should see this at the bottom of the window.
If you don't see it, click Load Drivers to view other installed operating systems. The System Recovery Options menu will display.
This displays a list of backups.
You will be asked to confirm.
Windows will then restore all the contents of your computer, such as system files and settings, back to the restore point you selected.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Restoring from Backup (No Disc)

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If your computer is already turned on, you'll want to restart it now. Click the Start menu and select Restart from the drop-down menu next to the Lock button to do so.
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Press the F8 key repeatedly as your computer boots up. Start pressing the key as soon as the PC turns back on. The Advanced Boot Options menu will display on-screen.^{[2]
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- If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not display, restart your computer and continue to press F8 repeatedly before the Windows logo displays on-screen.
Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to highlight “Repair your computer.”
Select your username from the drop-down menu, type your Windows Vista password, and click OK to log in. The System Recovery Options menu will display on-screen.
You will be given a chance to review your selection before the restore begins.
Windows will then restore all the contents of your computer, such as system files and settings, back to the restore point you have chosen.

Community Q&A

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Question

What should I do if I forgot my start-up password?

Subhodeep Roy

Community Answer

You can boot it from the booting menu before the computer starts and then format it, though it will remove all the software you have in the c drive but you will be able to open the computer without the password.

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Question

What if backup is off and there are no new restore entries saved to do a reset?

Community Answer

Get an installation .ISO and burn it onto a disk. Place it in on bootup and attempt to start the disk up.

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Tips

Return your computer to its original factory settings if you are selling or giving your computer to somebody else. This will prevent other users from accessing any remaining personal data that exists on your computer.

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Disconnect all non-essential external peripherals from your computer. Examples of non-essential external peripherals are printers, flash drives, and scanners.

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If you are reinstalling Windows Vista or restoring your computer to its factory settings, be sure to reinstall updated antivirus software on your computer immediately to prevent malware and viruses from affecting your machine.

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Warnings

Keep in mind that restoring your computer from a system image backup will replace all the files on your computer with those from the restoration point. Your current programs, settings, and files will all be replaced with previous files.

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If you can back up your personal files and documents, do so before performing any methods or steps outlined in this article. Most of these procedures will entirely reset and wipe your computer’s hard drive, and you will lose all your data.

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