How to Reset Your Dell Inspiron Desktop Computer to Factory Settings
By Rob Harris
Restoring your computer to factory settings wipes it clean of anything you've added. You might need to revert to factory settings if you have a nasty computer virus or you're selling your computer and want to keep your personal information away from prying eyes. Because you lose your data in the restore, back it up first.
Backup Your Data
Step 1
Click on the "Desktop" tile. Mouse over the upper right corner to access the Charms bar, and then choose "Search."
Step 2
Select "Apps" and then "Dell Backup and Recovery." Click the "Backup" button.
Step 3
Select your preferred backup method from "System Backup," "Data Backup" or "Cloud Data Backup." System backup saves your Windows settings, software and data, but it will also save viruses if present. This is best used when you are creating a backup for the possibility of a future restore, not when you're about to restore to factory settings. Data backup lets you pick where you want to store the data, such as on an external hard drive or a network, while the cloud backup stores your data in the Dell Cloud.
Step 4
Click "Backup Now" to complete the process.
Restoring to Factory Settings
Step 1
Click on the "Desktop" tile. Mouse over the upper right corner to access the Charms bar, and then choose "Search."
Step 2
Select "Apps" and "Dell Backup and Recovery." Click the "Recovery" button.
Step 3
Choose "System Recovery," then "Yes" and then "Continue." Click on "Factory Image."
Step 4
Select "Restart" to wipe your existing data and return the computer to its original factory settings.