How Do You Restore Windows Vista to Factory Settings?
Restoring Windows Vista back to factory settings allows you to remove personal data from the computer that you would rather not have there. This is especially important if you want to give away or sell your computer.
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Turn on the computer
Press the power button to turn on the computer.
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Press any key
Press and hold any key on the keyboard until the “Advanced Boot Options” menu appears on the screen. You must make sure to press a key on the keyboard before the Windows logo appears, otherwise the computer will boot up as normal.
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Select “Repair Your Computer”
Use the arrow keys to highlight “Repair Your Computer” on the screen, then press “Enter” to select. Choose the desired language settings, then click “Next.”
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Log in
Enter your admin credentials in the log in screen, then click “Next.”
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Click “Factory Image Restore”
Select “Factory Image Restore,” then click “Next” after the “Factory Image Restore” window opens.
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Reformat the hard drive
Click the check box located next to “Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition.” Then click “Next.” The computer will now reset itself to factory settings.
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Restart the computer
Click “Finish” to restart the computer and set it up if desired.
