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Italiabella
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Dell desktop factory restore

Hello,

I need to factory restore a Dell desktop. Originally it was running win 7 or windows 8. The ckient upgraded to win 10 and it is running so so slow. So I decided to factory restore the desktop. What are the key stroke I need to use to boot up in recovery mode and format this PC ? Ate the key I used for win 7 or for Windows 10? They did the upgrade more than 30 day ago so I don't see the option to undo anymore .

Just in case where should it. E the option to undo the upgrade to win 10 please

Thank you
Windows 10Dell

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John

8/22/2022 - Mon
John

Have you done a factory restore yet?

Windows 10 is as fast as Windows 8 and faster than Windows 7.  So maybe all you need to do is a Windows 10 Repair Install and Keep Everything.

Go to the Media Creation Link

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Click on Upgrade to Windows 10 (even if Windows 10 is running), click on the Download button, select Open (Run) but NOT Save. Allow the program to run. Allow drivers to update. Then select Keep Everything.
Italiabella

ASKER
Hello John no I didn't restore yet. I saw several PC after they do the win 10 upgrade being very very skow
Italiabella

ASKER
Ok let me try your option
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William Peck
John

You need to make sure the computers are Windows 10 compliant.

I5 high end, 8GB of memory, 7200-rpm hard drive or SSD should run Windows 10 speedily. That is what I use and clients use.
Italiabella

ASKER
i have those specification. they only think I don' t know is about the 7200-rpm hard drive
John

Unless the computers are cheap (budget models), hard drives today are commonly 7200-rpm.

Try reinstalling one as I mentioned. Also try installing one fresh (nothing kept) and then installing software carefully to see if any legacy software is causing issues.
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Italiabella

ASKER
Even if win10 is already running, very slow but its strumming I clicked download win 10 again am I correct now it's 17% downloading it
John

It will take about 3 hours total to download and reinstall.
Italiabella

ASKER
Let me ask you a question: once the client performed the win 10 upgrade is there a way to go back to the originally factory software won7 or 8 ?
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Italiabella

ASKER
I have a backup, I rather don't keep anything and do it a fresh install
John

You have to roll back within 30 days (29 days or less) or it is too late.

Roll back from the recovery settings.
John

Try a fresh install and restore from backup.
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Italiabella

ASKER
i know the 30 days, so after 30 you will never be able to go back to the original OS Correct ?
Italiabella

ASKER
so what happen to the hidden partition that contained the OS for factory restore ?
after the upgrade to Win 10 it get erased ?
John

Correct. You would need the original install media
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rwheeler23
John

It may depend on the computer whether the original other operating system was retained or not. I do not know for Dell.
John

I am looking at Disk Management on my Lenovo and I think the first recovery partition is still there, but I would not even dream of testing.
Italiabella

ASKER
ok, thank you for clarifying this concept. ok i have the ok from the owner to format completely his desktop. so i will proceed formatitng it with win 10 instead of win 8 even better!

it is creating windows 10 media now...
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Italiabella

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its ok, now that you opened my eyes its much better formatting the whole computer with win 10.

now its says 39% preparing ...
Italiabella

ASKER
done now it checked for updates and now is getting a few things ready...
John

So the install was successful and it is just a matter of setting up. Be sure software is new and not old legacy.
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Italiabella

ASKER
no yet. it is making sure i am ready to install it. how can i make sure the software is new and not old legacy ?
Italiabella

ASKER
ok, i am at the step in which is was asking what to keep, thanks to you i said nothing...

I am moving forward, i have the feeling that after the fresh reistall the pc will be fast again..
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Italiabella

ASKER
yes. it installing the new OS now. It's 20% now. It will take a while but i am in a good stand now. Thankyou for your awesome suppport John.
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Italiabella

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great and quick help. Thank you so much!
John

You are very welcome and I was happy to help as always.