help refreshing windows

B

bjballar41

Member
I am a student and the program I'm in allows me to get operating systems for free. dreamspark. I downloaded windows 8 and upgraded my asus u56e which was a windows 7 pro computer to windows 8 from the website. then on to windows 8.1. im wanting to refresh the computer as its running kinda sluggish and just wanna clean it up. i was thinking of just doing restarting like it came out of the box but i have some stuff for school id like to keep. then i thought it might take it all the way back to windows 7 plus i also have ubuntu as a dual boot and would loose it but i can deal with that. im trying to decide what my best bet would be as i dont have a recovery disk and im very nervous to do a complete reboot and delete all files. anyone have any advice on how to help my computer out and clean it up some without loosing everything since i didnt buy my windows 8 from Microsoft but it is a legal copy came with product key and all.
 
I to am a student with access to dreamsparks. Have not used it yet, but plan to soon. You said you loaded 8 onto your PC. Do you want to keep 8 on there?
 
So, you now have windows 8 on there? When you say it is running sluggish, do you mean it is slower than it was before loading windows 8? Can you elaborate a little more as to what you mean?
 
i actually have windows 8.1 i upgraded through the store. i actually cant even get in the store anymore says its no longer working and wants me to refresh. i also have a problem with wifi disconnecting randomly and i have to disconnect and reconnect. just small random bugs that i feel like if i do a refresh/restart will help out. it also just makes random beeps nothing connected not doing any type of downloads or anything. most of it started with the 8.1 update so i probably am best to go back to windows 8. not sure tho. i just know i rather not go back to windows 7 as in school i need windows 8
 
I must say I have never seen that screen shot before. Nor have I loaded windows 8 before. I would stick around because there are a lot of people on this site that know their stuff. I have learned sooo much on this site.

It looks like its asking for you to insert your installation or recovery cd. So hang in there, I;m sure someone more qualified will get back with you.

While your waiting, take a look at this. Look at step 5, it says if you do not have disks, then you cannot use the refresh. This is what I got when I goggled.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-refresh-your-computer-running-windows-8.html

By the way, I find this article very educational.
 
Last edited:
Windows 8 and 8.1 from DreamSpark are full versions and both are Pro. If you go back into your DreamSpark account or go to your school IT department, they can burn you an image of it....of course you would then use the product key that DreamSpark gave to you when you downloaded Win 8.1. I upgraded my laptop from Win 7 to Win 8 and then to Win 8.1 without a hitch using the DreamSpark downloads. All files carried over without a problem. Also, if you are wanting to do a "clean install", just save the "stuff" that you have for school or other things to some kind of external media, be it DVD, external hard drive or USB and you should be good to go. Linux and Unix and their versions are good BUT I would never make it my main operating system, since it is so easy to have it running as virtual machine.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top