Resetting Windows 10

[HansV]

This is a continuation of two threads by Pat: Error loading graph in the Access/SQL forum and of my internet stopped working last monday night for no app

I may have to go with a windows reinstall, when Windows 10 was installed over 8.1 would it have been saved on my system first before it was installed?

Can I just go back to 8.1 by uninstalling windows 10 if that is possible?
Or should i just reinstall windows 10 however i do that?

If you upgraded from Window 8.1 to Windows 10 less than 30 days ago, and if you didn't explicitly remove the Windows.old folder, you should be able to roll back to Windows 8.1.
To do so:
- Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Select Settings.
- Click Update & Security.
- Click Recovery.
- If you see an option 'Go back to Windows 8.1', select it and click Get Started.

If you cannot go back to Windows 8.1 this way, you'd have to reinstall Windows 8.1 from scratch; you will need the license key for this. It doesn't matter if you don't have the installation media any more - you can download the Windows 8.1 ISO file from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/softwar ... d/windows8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another option would be to reset Windows 10.
To do so:
- Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
- Select Settings.
- Click Update & Security.
- Click Recovery.
- Select Reset this PC, then click Get Started.
- You'll be given two options: 'Keep my files' and 'Remove everything'. The difference is whether your data files will be kept or deleted.
- With both choices, Windows 10 will be reinstalled from scratch, and all applications will be removed (so you will have to reinstall them!)
- You will also lose all your settings.

[Rudi]

    
For additional support and directions (for others interested in this topic), see:

• Recovery options in Windows 10 (Microsoft Support Document)
• How to Refresh Windows 10 (TenForums Tutorial)
• How to Reset Windows 10 (TenForums Tutorial)

[JoeP]

When you choose to keep your information your store apps will be reinstalled automatically. It is the desktop apps that must be reinstalled by you.

[HansV]

Thanks for the correction, Joe.

[BobH]

Thanks, Hans!

[Pat]

All great information, i haven't dcided what to do yet.

[BobH]

I don't mean to hijack this thread. I hope this post will amplify its usefulness.

I recall seeing a post on Win 10 Top Tweaks. I thought it was here but searching doesn't reveal it for me (the search foo weak is with this one).

Can anyone add a pointer to it here?

[HansV]

Perhaps JoeP's reply in Windows Tweak Guide?

[BobH]

That was the one!

Thank you, Mr. V!!