

Scroll down to the section “ Select edition” and select your edition from the pop-up menu.First, ensure that your internet connection is stable and that you have free storage space with at least four gigabytes of capacity available.You can then use this boot medium to reset Windows 8. You need to load this ISO file onto your PC and create a bootable USB stick or a DVD from it. The installation file is an ISO file that functions as a copy of the operating system and contains all files relevant for the installation. To do this you will need the installation file for Windows 8 and the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool that, though its name appears to suggest otherwise, also works for Windows 8. Click this to start the clean-up utility, which you'll use to flash your computer back to factory defaults.If you don’t have an installation CD for Windows 8, you will have to create your own installation medium. In the results that appear, you’ll see an option called ‘Remove everything and reinstall Windows’. Go to the Start Screen and type ‘Remove’ to bring up the search box. First, before you start, make sure that you have a backup of your computer and data, as following these instructions could delete everything from your computer. This is because the upgrade doesn't refresh the files that Windows needs to restore factory default settings - annoying, huh? Fortunately, Microsoft has made it fairly straightforward to download and create your own Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 installation discs, so that you can get round this step.

While it's generally a very easy thing to do, the utility can run into problems if you upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. With Windows 8 things are a lot easier and the ability to wipe your computer back to factory settings, or simply refresh the install leaving your files alone, are built directly into the operating system.

With Windows 7 and before, doing this would require a fresh install or using the manufacturer-provided disc image, which is a cumbersome and long-winded process. There are plenty of good reasons to wipe your computer and put it back to its factory default settings, including selling it and protecting your private information and simply clearing out the clutter.
