How to Recover Windows From a Partition

by Ty Arthur
When all else fails, the recovery partition lets you reinstall Windows.

When all else fails, the recovery partition lets you reinstall Windows.

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Many computer manufacturers have stopped shipping recovery discs and instead install a recovery partition directly on the computer's hard drive. The partition gives you a method for reinstalling the Windows operating system if major problems occur. The exact method for accessing the partition and recovering Windows will vary between manufacturers. You may need to restart the computer to load the partition, while some manufacturers let you access the partition from inside the Windows operating system.

Dell

Step 1

Restart the Windows 7 operating system. Continuously tap "F8" to bring up the Advanced Boot Options screen.

Step 2

Scroll down to "Repair Your Computer" and tap "Enter." Click the language drop-down menu and choose your language option. Click "Next."

Step 3

Type in your Windows username and password and click "OK." Choose the "Dell Factory Image Restore" option and select "Next."

Step 4

Click "Yes" and then "Next." Choose "Finish" and wait for the computer to restart.

Step 5

Follow the installation prompts on the screen to create a new username and password and set up your Internet settings.

HP

Step 1

Access the Windows "Start" menu and choose "All Programs." Navigate to "Recovery Manager" and click the "HP Recovery Manager" icon.

Step 2

Click the "System Recovery" link at the left end of the window. Wait for the computer to restart and click "Recovery."

Step 3

Choose "Next." Click "No" and choose "Next" again. Click "Back up your files first" if you need to create backup copies of any files on your computer. Connect a USB storage device or insert a rewritable disc in the computer. Follow the onscreen back up instructions and then click "Next."

Step 4

Choose "Recover without backing up your files" if you don't need to save any files. Choose "Next" and wait for the recovery process to finish running.

Step 5

Use the onscreen prompts to establish a new username, set your time zone and configure your Internet settings.

Acer

Step 1

Click the "Start" menu and choose "All Programs." Click "Acer Empowering Technology" and choose "eRecovery Management."

Step 2

Navigate to the "Restore" tab at the bottom of the screen. Choose the "Restore system to factory" link.

Step 3

Click "Next" to begin the Windows recovery process. Wait for the operating system to restart.

Step 4

Use the Windows installation prompts to choose your time zone, choose a new username and set up your Internet service.

Tip

  • Recovering Windows will erase any data stored on your computer's hard drive. Consider which files you want to keep and save them to an external storage device prior to accessing the partition.
  • After recovering Windows you will also need to reinstall any driver software for your peripheral devices such as printers, routers or aftermarket video cards.

Warning

  • Always disconnect any peripheral devices before recovering Windows from a partition. Unplug any extra cables for devices such as scanners, printers or modems.

About the Author

Ty Arthur has been writing technical and entertainment-related articles for a variety of online sources since 2008. His articles have appeared on Metalunderground.com and many other websites. Arthur attended the Great Falls College of Technology and studied both computer science and creative writing.

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