Refreshing Windows
Windows and Windows applications can sometimes develop problems, causing the operating system or specific programs themselves to freeze or crash or simply not run properly. Tracking down the specific cause of the problem can be difficult and time-consuming. Instead of trying to locate the source of the glitch, you may find it easier to simply refresh your PC. Refreshing your PC brings back Windows 8 to an earlier and hopefully problem-free state. By default, refreshing keeps your Windows 8 apps and your files and documents alive, but it does not retain your desktop apps or your PC settings. This task explains how to refresh Windows.
1 Open PC Settings: Hover your mouse over the lower-right hot corner to display the Charms bar. Click the Settings icon. Click Change PC Settings. In the PC Settings screen, click the General category.
tip If you do not have any success refreshing Windows, you may need to reset it, which brings it back to a clean slate.
2 Refresh your PC: Scroll down the right page of the General screen until you see the Refresh your PC without affecting your files option. Click Get started.
3 View PC refresh message: A Refresh your PC message appears explaining what will happen. Click Next.
4 Wait: A message appears telling you that Windows is preparing. You may then see a message that says “Insert media: Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files.”
5 Insert media: Click Cancel in response to the Insert media message. Insert your Windows installation DVD. Wait a few seconds for the DVD to be read. Click Get started again. Click Next. This time a message appears that Windows is ready to refresh your PC. Click Refresh.
6 Wait for refresh: Windows restarts your PC and displays a message that it is preparing to refresh your PC. A second message appears that Windows is refreshing your PC. A percentage shows the progress of the refresh.
7 Wait for reboot: After the refresh finishes, Windows reboots your PC. A Please Wait message appears followed by various messages that Windows is preparing, getting devices ready, and then getting the system ready.
8 Log back in to Windows: Windows reboots your PC once more and brings you to the Lock screen. Press any key to get past the Lock screen and then log in to Windows.
9 Check your apps and settings: You can now check Windows 8 to make sure that all your Windows 8 apps and customizations are intact.
tip You can retain all your desktop applications and PC settings by refreshing Windows from an image, explained in the next task.
10 Check your files: Open the desktop and view your personal folders to make sure that your documents, pictures, music, and other files are intact.
tip The refresh process can take quite a while, but just be patient. It may be a good time for a long coffee break.
11 Check removed apps: From the desktop, double-click the RemovedApps.html file to view a list of any apps that have been removed. You will typically find that all the desktop apps that you installed have been removed.
tip If you receive Windows 8 with a new PC, be sure to create the installation or recovery media if a physical Windows disc is not included.