Windows 8 system recovery may be required if critical errors occur in your PC. To prevent the user from having to completely reinstall the OS, special tools are provided that allow you to restore your computer even without deleting files or changing general system settings. In this article you will learn how to start restoring a computer or laptop on Win 8 in different ways.
Below we consider two scenarios: with a working operating system and with a faulty one. In the first case, you can perform recovery from the Windows 8 interface without a disk or flash drive, and in the second, you will need bootable media to copy system files. All methods are presented below:
- rollback from a restore point;
- using Refresh your PC;
- reset to factory settings on laptop;
- recovery using a boot disk or flash drive.
Let's consider each of the methods in detail. All instructions are fully working and suitable for any build of Windows 8 32/64 Bit.
System restore point
This method allows you to roll back the OS to a certain state. You must do the following:
- Open File Explorer using the icon on the taskbar.
- In the left directory, find the “This PC” item and right-click on it to select “Properties” from the menu.
- In the window that opens, click on the “System Protection” button.
- In the selected tab, click on the “Restore” button.
- On the first screen, click on “Next”.
- From the list, select a checkpoint according to the date when the computer was stable and working. Click "Next".
- To start the procedure, click the “Finish” button.
Now you know how to use a checkpoint to rollback the OS state.
Creating a checkpoint
If you don't have checkpoints created automatically, you can do it manually. This option will be useful if problems arise with the OS in the future:
- Open the Properties window again and click on System Protection.
- Next, click on the “Create” button marked in the screenshot.
- Enter a name and click "Create".
- Wait until the procedure is completed. After it, the current OS configuration will be saved as a checkpoint. You can easily restore this state if Windows 8 malfunctions using the instructions described above.
Rollback via Options
Windows 8 debuted the Refresh Your PC tool. With its help, the user can roll back the OS state to the required state. You can save applications and settings, return your PC to factory settings, completely reinstall the system, or launch a safe environment and perform the necessary actions through it.
First you need to open “Computer Settings”:
- Right-click on the Start icon and select Find.
- In the search bar, enter the query “PC settings” and open the corresponding application.
- In the list of sections, select "Update and Recovery".
- Go to the “Recovery” subsection. Here are tools that allow you to return the OS to its original state or start safe mode.
The first option (1) allows you to restore Windows 8 to factory settings without losing personal files, music, photos, etc. Using the second item (2), you can call up a menu to completely reinstall the OS and return it to the factory preset settings. This will delete all personal files and installed applications. By clicking on the button in the third paragraph (3), you can call up the safe environment and continue settings through it. The first two options allow you to roll back the system from the Windows 8 interface.
It’s worth taking a closer look at the safe environment, as advanced functionality awaits you there.
Click on the “Restart now” button and wait - on the screen you will see a menu launch with a choice of action. Click on "Diagnostics".
As you can see, here you can perform all the same operations as in the Windows 8 interface. However, the diagnostic menu can come in handy if the OS does not boot. Click on the “Advanced options” button to access advanced functionality. With it you can:
- roll back the OS to a checkpoint;
- use wim image for recovery;
- roll back the system via the command line.
Let's consider all the possibilities in more detail. We dealt with the first point above - the procedure is no different from running it in Windows 8.
By clicking on “Restore system image”, you launch a program to automatically unpack a pre-created wim archive. It should contain the entire OS with personal settings and programs. You can connect a disk or flash drive to your computer to unpack a third-party wim image. This way you will get a complete system.
"Command Prompt" allows you to start the rollback procedure using simple commands. Click on the appropriate button to launch the application. Now enter the command “rstrui.exe” and press Enter to run. After this, you will have access to the PC recovery menu via checkpoint.
You can launch this menu through bootable media if the installed OS does not work correctly and does not start. Let's consider this situation.
Performing the procedure using a flash drive
Performing the procedure this way will require some preparation. First, you need to create bootable media. To do this, you need to visit the official Microsoft website, where the Windows 8 web installer is located and download it to another computer. The bootloader will download the OS files and create a boot drive automatically.
Secondly, you need to make settings through the BIOS. To do this, when starting the PC, press the button responsible for entering the BIOS menu (it is indicated on the initial computer startup screen). Go to the "Boot" menu and set the bootable USB flash drive to first place in boot priority. To save the settings, press F10 and restart your PC again.
Now when you turn it on you will see the installer menu. Here you will find the option to uninstall, reinstall the system, format the hard drive. The creators also included the recovery function in a separate menu:
- Select the desired item and start the procedure.
Rollback on a laptop with a pre-installed operating system
Laptop manufacturers that sell devices with pre-installed software provide the ability to rollback using proprietary utilities and tools. Part of the hard drive space is allocated for recovery, so you can start the process of returning your PC to its original settings in a couple of steps.
This applies to laptops from Asus, Lenovo, Acer, HP and many others. Let's look at the procedure using the Acer Iconia tab w5100 as an example. By default, this company uses the keyboard shortcut Alt + F10, which must be pressed on the initial boot screen with the Acer logo.
You will see the "Acer eRecovery Management" menu. Select the marked item.
After this, wait until the procedure is completed. During the process, the laptop may reboot several times. The only way to cancel the recovery process is to restart the PC. After the rollback is complete, you will receive the device with factory settings.
The names of the utilities and how to access them differ depending on the laptop manufacturer, but using this example you can easily restore Windows 8 on any device.
Conclusion
Using the methods described, you can return Windows 8 to its working or original state in almost any situation. Use checkpoints to restore your computer to its previous state. The Refresh Your PC functionality is useful when restoring your PC to factory settings. A safe environment is useful if Windows 8 does not start - the necessary tools can be opened via a bootable USB flash drive.
Video
Below you can watch a training video that clearly shows all the steps from this article. Together with the video instructions, you will be able to figure out the difficulties and restore your computer without outside help.
If your operating system does not boot, then your main task is to identify the cause and, if possible, eliminate it. There are two possible scenarios: damage to the computer hardware and the need to replace a component, or simply a system failure, which can be solved by a simple rollback. Let's look at how to determine what caused the error, as well as how to fix the problem.
Attention!
All of the steps below are strongly recommended only if you fully understand everything stated, so as not to harm your computer.
If after turning on the computer nothing happens and you do not see the OS loading process, then most likely the problem is a malfunction of some components of the device. The first step is to check whether all computer components are connected. To do this, disconnect the computer from the network and turn off the power supply using the toggle switch on the back wall. Open the case.
Reason 1: Hard drive failure
If after performing the steps described above the problem does not go away, then proceed to checking the hard drive. Very often the cause of the problem is a media failure. You can check its functionality only by connecting the component to another computer. There are three possible scenarios here.
Option 1: HDD is detected by another computer and Windows boots
Everything is fine! Your hard drive is working fine and the problem is not there.
In this case, you need to check the disk for bad sectors. You can do this using a special program Crystal Disk Info. It is completely free and will help you perform a complete diagnostic of your hard drive. Run it and pay attention to points such as Remapped sectors, Unstable sectors, Uncorrectable sector errors. If at least one of these points is highlighted in yellow, then there are bad sectors and they need to be corrected.
To recover bad blocks, run "Command line" on behalf of the administrator. To do this, use the key combination Win + X open the context menu and select the appropriate item.
Then enter the following command:
Click Enter. You will be prompted to perform a recovery after rebooting the system. Enter Y and press again Enter. After this, restart your computer.
Option 3: HDD is not detected by another computer
This is the worst option. In this case, you will have to purchase a new hard drive, since the old one most likely cannot be restored. But before you do anything, consult a service center. Perhaps your hard drive can still be returned to working condition. Otherwise, they will recommend you which drive is better to take and offer replacement services.
Reason 2: Some components are not connected
If your hard drive is working properly, then check the following components:
- Hard drive power cable;
- A cable that connects the hard drive and the motherboard;
- Are the memory modules seated tightly in the connectors?
Reason 3: Motherboard failure
If the steps taken above did not have any result, then the problem is not with the cables and the hard drive, but with the motherboard. It is better to entrust this problem to specialists and take the computer to a service center.
The system tries to boot, but nothing happens
If you turn on your PC and see any signs that the system is trying to boot, then this is a great sign. In this case, you can avoid costs and solve the problem yourself.
Reason 1: Error starting explorer.exe
If the system boots, but you only see a black screen and a cursor, then the problem arose when the explorer.exe process was launched, which is responsible for loading the graphical shell. Here you can either start the process manually or perform a system rollback - at your discretion.
If Windows 8 does not start for you, then this problem will have to be fixed depending on what caused it. For example, if the computer has problems with components, then reinstall the system, make rollbacks, etc. is pointless, since the components first need to be checked and repaired. If the problem lies only in the system, then there is no point in getting into the components.
When the PC does not show “signs of life”
In this case, after turning it on, you may not even see the Windows logo, but entering the BIOS will be possible in some cases. Sometimes, after pressing the power button, the computer begins to show some signs of life, but they quickly disappear, so it is not even possible to enter the BIOS. Most likely you have some problems with the components, and not with the system itself, so you need to disassemble the case, first disconnecting the computer from the power supply.
It is recommended that you try to restore the Windows 8 operating system yourself only if you understand what you are doing and are fully aware of it. Otherwise, it is recommended to seek help from specialists.
Reason 1: Power supply failure
If, when you press the power button, the computer does not react at all or shows signs of life only for the first few seconds, then you may have a problem with the power supply itself. In this case, it is recommended to temporarily disconnect the power supply from the entire computer and check its functionality separately by closing two contacts on it. If the power supply started up without problems and worked for some time in this mode, then the problem is most likely not in it. If not, then you will either have to take it to a service center where it can be repaired, or purchase a new power supply.
Reason 2: Incorrect connection of components to the motherboard
In this case, the computer may also show signs of life for a short period of time, but this does not always mean that the problem will lie in the power supply or in a faulty motherboard. It is recommended to check the connection quality of the following components:
- The power cable that goes from the motherboard to your hard drive. Sometimes this cable can go from the power supply to the hard drive;
- A cable connecting the hard drive to the motherboard;
- How well do the RAM modules fit in their slots on the motherboard?
Reason 3: Hard drive is faulty
This is one of the most common reasons why a computer cannot turn on. Moreover, this applies not only to Windows 8, but also to any other OS, even Linux. To be sure to check the functionality of your hard drive, you have no choice but to connect it to another computer and try to start it. Accordingly, you need to check the disk on which the operating system is installed.
When connecting your hard drive, there are three possible scenarios.
Option 1: Booted on another computer without problems
This option assumes that everything is completely fine with your HDD, and the problem most likely lies in Windows itself and/or other computer components. You may have recently connected some new component/device to your motherboard that is not compatible with another important component. Also in this case, it is recommended to check the correct connection of some other components to the motherboard, perhaps cables have come loose somewhere, etc.
Option 2: There are no display problems, but Windows does not boot
In this case, you most likely have some broken partitions on your disk that are preventing the system from booting. You can check your hard drive using special programs, as well as special commands in the console. However, the latter do not always give an accurate result, so it recommends using third-party software to check. In this case, we will talk about a program such as Crystal Disk Info.
Install it on the computer to which you connected your HDD and check some parameters. At the top of the window, you can switch between drives by clicking on the desired letter. Below is a general description, and under "Technical condition" The current disk status will be indicated. If it says "Anxiety", then there are most likely broken partitions.
It is also recommended to pay attention to the points "Reassigned sectors", "Unstable sectors" And "Uncorrectable sector errors". If there is a yellow circle to the left of them, it means that there are 100% broken partitions on the disk.
"Cure" broken blocks can be used using "Command line". Open it using the command cmd to the line "Run"(it opens with the combination Win+R) or use a special menu that is called up by a keyboard shortcut Win+X. In this menu you need to select "Command Prompt (Administrator)".
Enter the following command into the console:
To use, click on Enter, and then press the key Y, thereby confirming the start of the operation to restore hard disk sectors. The recovery process itself will begin after you restart your computer, so reboot. Once the recovery is complete, the computer will turn on normally.
Once you have restored all partitions of the hard drive, you can mount it back into your computer and try to start the operating system.
Option 3: Hard drive won't boot at all
In this case, you have 100% problems with the HDD hardware. Do not rush to throw away this hard drive, but rather contact a service center, especially if the computer and/or hard drive is still under warranty. In this case, your drive will be repaired or replaced with a new one in accordance with the warranty agreement. If the warranty is no longer valid, then you will have to pay money to repair/replace the hard drive.
Reason 4: Mother card failure
Provided that none of the above reasons apply to your specific situation (the power supply is working fine, all cables are tightly connected, and the HDD works without problems on another computer), then the problem in most cases lies in the motherboard. It is recommended to take it to a service center, where they should either replace it or offer you an alternative.
The system boots, but not completely.
In this case, you can observe a full loading of the Windows 8 operating system, but it just cannot complete completely. In this case, the problem is most likely in system files that have become corrupted for some reason. However, in most cases, you can solve the problem yourself without resorting to the help of service centers, which will save you money and time.
Reason 1: Inability to load GUI
If, when you turn on and load the OS, instead of "Desktop" And "Taskbars" just a black screen appears, but at the same time the login window is displayed normally (the window where the user can select an account to work in the OS and enter a password for it), then you have problems with the file explorer.exe. This file is responsible for displaying all graphic elements within the system.
In this case, the system is fully functional, for example, you go through the line "Run" you can open some program, and it will most likely open. But to return the normal Windows interface you need to either start the process explorer.exe manually, or do a system restore.
Let's consider the file launch instruction explorer.exe through "Task Manager":
This problem can also be solved by performing a system rollback. The rollback process is discussed in more detail in the instructions below.
Reason 2: System failure
A system failure is usually a little more difficult to deal with, since you often have to resort to the function "System Restore". This procedure looks like this:
- Turn off your computer, and then turn it on again.
- To call up a special menu in Windows 8, you need to press the key F8 or Shift+F8.
- A window will open with a choice of actions. You need to choose "Diagnostics".
- In the diagnostics window, select "Extra options".
- Then go to "System Restore".
- In the window that opens, select the restore point for the date you need. If no restore points are found, then this method will not suit you. For this case, separate instructions are described below.
- If everything is fine, then after selecting a point, click on "Further", and then on "Ready". After this, the recovery process will begin.
Also, if there are no restore points or for some other reason the first instruction did not work, then try to restore using a specially created bootable USB flash drive. You need to prepare it in advance by downloading the Windows 8 installer image there. The instructions are somewhat similar to the previous one, but have some differences:
The search for the cause did not yield any results
If you were unable to determine the reason why Windows 8 refuses to start, then you will have to resort to an extreme method - reinstalling the system. This method can only be relevant if you know for sure that the reason does not lie in the hardware component of the computer. Otherwise, even reinstalling the system will not help you.
Remember that by reinstalling the operating system you are violating the warranty agreement. Therefore, after reinstallation, your computer is unlikely to be accepted under warranty (although there are exceptions).
To install, you will need to boot from a flash drive that has a Windows 8 installation image. You can also try booting from a disk. The installation process is no different from a normal Windows installation. However, it is worth remembering that you risk losing some or all of the data located on drive C during a system reinstallation. Some of this data may be recoverable.
In this case, you also risk losing the activation of Windows 8. You can restore it through the official Microsoft website or directly during the reinstallation process.
As you can see, the fact that the Windows 8 operating system refuses to boot is not always a reason to take the computer to a service center. In certain cases, you can set up and fix everything yourself.
What to do if Windows 8, which has gained a reputation as a fairly reliable operating system, does not start?
No matter how high-quality the product is, nothing is immune from various types of problems. Problems also occur when running this version of Windows. What to do if the OS suddenly stops starting?
Can I solve the problem on my own, or is professional intervention necessary? It depends on what caused the operating system to behave this way. These could be failures caused by improper logout, or something else.
In any case, if Windows does not start, you can try to provide first aid to the computer. In this article we will talk about some actions that definitely won’t harm, but can help.
What can you do in this case?
There are three steps that can be taken in sequence to resolve the problem:
- Try to restore in safe mode.
- Use integrated Windows recovery tools.
- Restore the system using bootable media (flash drive, disk).
The operating mode of the OS is called safe, in which you can take some measures to restore the normal functioning of Windows.
Almost no program is available in safe mode; only those components that are most necessary work. In safe mode, you can only activate system files and drivers, without which the OS does not work at all.
Special inscriptions in the corners of the screen will notify you if the computer is put into safe mode.
Safe mode makes it easier to scan for viruses. It is also possible to restore Windows boot services in this state.
Be that as it may, you need to understand that in safe mode no system files are protected from deletion. There are no administrator rights here, and due to inexperience, you can harm the OS if you remove something necessary for its normal functioning.
How to put your computer into safe mode
If Windows stops starting, you can enable safe mode and try to restore the operation of the operating system. This is how you should do it.
Press the F8 button on your laptop frequently when turning it on. Before the system starts to boot automatically, a list of possible startup modes will open.
In this list, in addition to three types of starting the system in safe mode, you can choose to restore the last correctly working Windows configuration, as it was before the failure.
This will not undo any saves you've made, nor will it destroy any files you've recently created. No program will be deleted.
- With access to the main components and necessary drivers.
- With access to network drivers. This option should be selected if you need to access the Internet in safe mode.
- With the command line.
All these modes are not much different. The most significant difference is access to the Internet in the appropriate mode.
Advice: If you do not have sufficient experience working with a PC, it is best to try to restore the affected system through the first type of mode.
How to restore Windows 8 operating system through safe mode
- Select the first option and enable system management by pressing the Windows + X button combination and selecting the “System” line in the menu that expands after this.
- After this, you need to select the “Advanced options” line. Go to the “System Protection” tab and find the “Repair” option. After this, prompts will appear that you need to follow. None of them should escape your attention.
- In addition, in safe mode you can try to find the error that caused Windows to crash. To do this, you need to view the event log.
In the same menu in which you selected the “System” item, find the “Management” line, then select “Service Components”, “Event Viewer”, “Logs”, “System”.
This location contains all OS entries. Once you know the problem code, you can easily fix it.
Getting Windows 8 running using the recovery service
If for some reason the OS on the laptop does not start, Windows will offer to use the startup repair service. In this case, you need to act in accordance with the prompts that appear on the screen.
Another option is to choose the built-in tool to return to the last normally functioning system configuration instead of Safe Mode.
As already mentioned, this method is quite safe, neither your files nor saves will be harmed. But the problem, however, will not be solved completely, which means it may happen again.
Recovering the system using installation media
If you have tried all the measures described above, and Windows still does not start, then you need to restore the system using a flash drive or disk. This option can no longer fail.
The bootable media has everything you need to recover lost files and fix any errors. The system gains integrity.
To restore the operating system from a flash drive, enter the BIOS and select which drive you want to boot from.
How to do it?
- When turning on, press the “Esc” key on the laptop frequently until you get to the BIOS. Sometimes you need to press F12 or F10 to enter. If this is a desktop computer, you need to press the “Delete” button.
- Then open the Boot device section and select the desired storage medium. We assign the hard drive as secondary.
- These settings must be saved.
- Restart your laptop.
What to do when Windows 8 won't boot? This is a very common question. The fact is that although the G8 is characterized by stable operation, it can also experience some failures as a result of improper shutdown or other actions. It doesn’t matter why the system won’t boot, the main thing is to know what to do in this case.
Ways to solve the problem
There are several ways to fix this problem:
How to boot into safe mode and restore Windows 8
If Windows 8 does not boot at all, then you can start safe mode as follows. Turn off your computer. Now turn it on and press F8. This will open a list of OS boot options. It is worth noting that here it is possible to restore the last known good Windows configuration. This is an OS recovery. It passes extremely quickly, since the system restores the configuration of the previous reboot, when its configuration was not broken. This action does not affect your personal data and files at all.
Also in this menu you can select three options for loading safe mode:
- Safe mode with support for essential drivers and components.
- With support for network drivers. In other words, you have the ability to access the Internet.
- With command line support.
In fact, they are all almost the same, only in the second case users can access the Internet. For inexperienced users, if Windows 8 does not boot, it is recommended to run the first option. Next, you just need to enter system management. To do this, press the Windows + X key combination and select “System” in the menu that appears. Then select Advanced System Settings. After that, in the “System Protection” tab, click the “Restore” button. Then just follow the prompts on the screen.
You can also look at the event log in safe mode, in which you can find an error that prevents Windows 8 from loading. To do this, press the Windows + X keys simultaneously again and select “Computer Management”. Next, follow this path: “Utilities/Event Viewer/Windows Logs/System”. All OS records are stored here, including errors. If you find out the error code, you can easily fix it.
How to enter safe mode in Windows 8: Video
Windows 8 Startup Repair Service
If any problems arise that prevent Windows 8 from starting on your computer, the system will prompt you to start the boot repair service. Here, simply follow the on-screen prompts. Please read all messages carefully. In addition, when loading the OS, you can press the F8 key, as in the case of starting safe mode. Only this time you need to select the “Load Last Known Known Good Configuration” option.
Every OS has built-in rollback capabilities. In this case, recovery points are saved automatically. Thanks to this, you can roll back Windows to a working state without losing your personal data.
How to perform a system restore on Windows 8: Video
How to restore Windows 8 using a boot disk or flash drive
If Windows 8 does not start, and all the above steps do not help, then there is only one option left - to perform recovery using a boot disk. This is a 100% option, since boot drives contain files that can restore the integrity of the system in the event of any errors or damage.
So, first, in order for the laptop to boot from the desired drive, you should enter the BIOS and specify the desired device. It's done like this. Immediately after turning on the device, press the “DEL” key. After you get into the BIOS, you should go to the “Boot” tab and open the “Boot device” section. Here we set our drive as primary, and the hard drive as secondary. Save the settings and restart the computer.
If we are talking about laptops, then in order to enter the BIOS, you need to press the “Esc” key. After this, action options will appear that correspond to certain keys. Typically, you need to press the F2 or F10 key to enter the BIOS. Depending on the laptop model, the key to launch the desired menu may be different, for example, F8, F9, or, as on a desktop PC, the “DEL” key.
Also, BIOS versions may differ from each other in interface and set of functions. However, in any version there is a setting for download options.
The computer now boots from the desired drive. Here we simply carefully read the prompts on the screen and select “Restore” at the right moment.
Restoring Windows 8 from an installation disk or flash drive: Video
Windows 8 won't boot: Video
