When we have a problem on our computer The first thing they recommend is reset it to its factory values, since these are caused by faults in installed programs or viruses that infected the system.
In doing this, we must understand well the difference between resetting and formattingsince one of these two can delete all our files, even those that we want to keep. To understand what is the definition of each one, I recommend you read this post.
Among the many things you will learn today, includes a step-by-step guide to factory reset our team, successfully.
Reset or format What are the differences between the two methods?
A simple way to differentiate "Reset and Format”Is understanding that resetting is restart or reset while formatting is deleting everything. The second is more radical than the first, since all files are deleted without the option to recover them. In most cases, the reset is used so that the system return to factory settings.
We can find this option on many devices and computers, example of this the routers, that, despite having put a configuration, just by pressing the reset everything returns to its factory state. This application is very useful when we have an error in the configuration or there is a strange behavior in the operation of the system, since there is a high probability that the fault is dissipated with a simple reset.
As for formatting, it is to erase everything that is on the disk, including the operating system. We must understand that they are totally different activitiesbecause if we confuse them we can lose things that we really want to keep.
Steps to reset my PC and return to factory settings in Windows 7
For reset our PC It is necessary to comply with a series of steps, since this is a fairly rigorous process. On the contrary we could lose important files or deconfigure our system.
Let's see the steps below:
Control Panel
We must first address the "Control Panel", And for this we go to menu Windows located on the lower left side of the screen. Being there we will see a lot of options, but we will only select "Control Panel" At "Control Panel"We will find many tools and options that can configure the system, so we must be careful where we enter and what we do.
System restore
Already in the control panel, we click on "Security system”, Then the window will change view, and it will show us a list of options. We will look in the “Activity Center (The first block) ”The option of“Restore the equipment to an earlier point in time ”. This restoration can bring us back to a point, from the first time we install the operating system, or from when the computer has marked during the useful time of the PC.
We start the recovery
- For start with recovery we must click on the option of “Advanced recovery methods ”.
- We will see later a window with two options; The first allows us to recover the equipment without losing files, by means of a system image, while the second reinstalls Windows from scratch, letting us make a backup of our files so as not to lose them.
- Now it will ask us choose whether or not we want to save a backup. This backup is in case something goes wrong in the system.
- As we do not want to create a copy, we simply click on "Skip" Finally, we click on “Restart" When we restart the computer, everything will return to its factory settings, we must be careful because the same system warns us that some important files and documents may be lostTherefore, it is recommended to generate a backup copy.
What programs and files are affected?
In this process some files and documents that we have are affectedAlthough they can be well preserved, there is a percentage risk that they will be lost. As for the installed programs, all are uninstalled, so if we want to have them we will have to download the installers and proceed from scratch.
Will I lose my license by restoring my Windows 7 to factory settings?
As long as let's install a new operating system, or factory reset, our license may be lost. This is very normal, so we should not cause a big scandal. However, we cannot live with your unlicensed operating system, because it attracts many risks, including limitations in the operation of the system.
The loss is due to the fact that the license is not integrated from its symbol, but is added after having installed the operating system, so it never hurts save our activation key before restoring a computer. On the other hand, if it is too late to save the activation key, we must apply different tools to be able to activate our Windows again. If we have the physical installation disk, what we must do is go to the cover and extract the key, to recover the license.
If you do not have the cover of the installation disc, you must make use of other tools, such as ShowKeyPlus, which simply run it shows us that license that we lost. This believing that Windows stored the activation license in a folder. Other times just by looking on the local disk, the Windows folder.old, we can extract the license and reactivate our Windows.
If you didn't have a legal licensebut you used software to trick Windows, you will have to reinstall the application again, because it is removed. We advise you to go to the website of Microsoft and buy the license, because otherwise you PC you will never be sure, remember that these programs are deceptive even to us.
Microsoft ends support for Windows 7. Is it recommended to continue using this OS?
Microsoft 10 years ago he promised to give technical support to Windows 7, and this was only during the established period. This operating system It was launched on the market on October 22, 2009, and ended this year 2022, on January 14. Microsoft He was strict with his promise, for this reason when the support time of 10 years expired, he stopped updating and providing services to this version of his product. This in order that its population can migrate to their latest versions such as Windows 8 and 10.
Your new version of Windows, offers us a greater experience. Although there is a population that does not want to adapt to it, for this reason Microsoft it did not give an extension and decided to completely close this version. That there is no longer technical support for Windows 7, it means that all technical assistance and software updates are canceled, so the security of a PC that still has this version is vulnerable.
What are the consequences
After January 14, 2022 all the qualities of Windows 7 began to change. Some of its consequences are; security updates will no longer be received, our operating system becomes completely vulnerable before any threat and we will have a constant warning recommending us to make the change of system. Another thing is that it will not be available to us is Microsoft customer service, just as it will interrupt for our version the games downloaded on our computer.
All the services that are related for Windows 7, they will stop working over time. If we still own Windows 7, we can see that, if we try to enter different games on the Internet such as Checkers and Backgammon we will not be able to, including also the suspension of the electronic guide for Windows Media Center.
What should we do?
As we have already mentioned repeatedly throughout this section, the solution is “Update our operating system from Windows 7 to 10" This will eliminate all problems and exclude us from the consequences of using an out-of-support operating system. To update it we only have to download the Microsoft from its official website, have a good internet connection and wait for the entire system to update.
We know very well that the fear of many migrate to new operating system is to manage their new functions, and that they don't know very well some options or their features. The truth is, this is a good excuse. To avoid and dispel this fear, we recommend that you dare to this new system, in the same way if you have any doubts the official website of Microsoft offers us many guides.
In such case of not understanding them or anything else, we will also provide you with a lot of information so you can fully understand this system. By not updating the system, we will be accepting the different risks that this brings. It is true, that there are still some computers with Windows Xp, having this long out of support, but that Microsoft Excluding it from your products does not mean that you do not have access or stop working.
In other words; Microsoft does not prohibit us from using its systems out of support, but nor does it guarantee stability in the system, it also denies us protection against Internet threats.