How do you restore factory settings on Windows XP?

Question

Hi,

I've had a laptop on loan from school for the past 18 months but as I have left school now I have to return it so another student can use it. I'd just really like to know how I restore the original factory settings on my machine as I've transferred everything I need onto a memory stick but want to get rid of all the extra stuff so as not to slow it down.

Please let me know what option I have to select in control panel or whatever to do this.

Eternal Gratitude,

Sasha xV^^Vx

Answer 1

two options, either you use system restore and revert back to the original date you got the laptop or format the harddrive which your college's IT department can help you with

Answer 2

The only way to restore Windows is with the cd. It will reinstall, keeping programs intact or you can wipe the drive clean and start fresh. Without it, you will have to search around for password recovery software. Some are free and some are not. I have used Restore many many times on XP and in Windows 7, and never had a problem.The reason why it doesn't work for some is due the integrity of Windows, registry problem or corrupt files. In this case a Restore will not work as you would need a restore point from the day XP was installed before changes. You can try going into safe mode, and log in as administrator. Sometimes leaving the password field blank and just hitting enter will get you in, or you can try typing " administrator" for the password. If you get in, you can change the settings to a new password or delete the log in with password option.

Answer 3

The best way is to download Ccleaner here http://bitly.com/UrALrK

Or you can go on Windows operating system locate the command prompt and go there to do the following:
Create a Recovery file of system and date it today.

Then begin by;
delete the 'Temp' folders..they have hidden subfolders so you need to set the attributes in order to bypass this. For each subfolder delete all cookies and rubbish left behnd after install-uninstalled programs. Do a 'dir' command to check your progress. Make sure the 'Temp' file is empty.

goto c:\windows\prefetch and delete everything in there..no exceptions

goto c:\windows folder and delete all the '$' files that have been installed by updates. They can all be succesfully deleted and just take up disk space.

Locate the Internet Temporary Files..Check to see how high the saving level is..some have it set at 30 days..but that stores faaaar tooo much data..though it slows down the system overal. Keep this to a minimum..suggest 2 or 5 at most.

Delete all 'cookies' all those you don't need.

Locate the windows directory and go through the folders you know and those you don't need. Check this once a week at least. Some programs will install under XP as NT and older systems where there is no check of systems weight.

Check to see that system files have not changed since last booting. Things like .ini files or .bat are important items.


Check for 'Hidden Directories' all over the disk...do this at the command prompt:

dir *.* /ah wil show these hidden directories

Check the 'dir' command for all parameters

Answer 4

4 things. 1) System restore will only work if it was enabled, and the data allowance was big enough, or the time period was long enough (whichever).

2) You can always put the XP CD in and choose repair, or install or something like that. It should restore default XP settings but all your programs will be there.

3) You can go to Start > settings > control panel > add/remove programs, and physically uninstall all the junk you DONT want on your computer. Be sure to only delete programs that you recognize.

And lastly 4) Like the other guy said, you might want to talk to your IT guys and tell them that you want it REFORMATTED. And your XP reinstalled fresh. That will speed up things significantly. It always helps to get rid of factory or brand name pre-installed software bundles.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Click start, then help and search for system restore. Select the restore wizard and then choose the date that you want to go back to or if the have the XP cd you can restore from it by inserting the disk and restart computer. It will boot from cd and you can wipe out the hard drive and reinstall the original software.

Answer 6

Hi,
Ccleaner is the application I use to clean up my system when my pc slows down because of viruses, trojans or malwares. Free Download here: http://j.mp/UrAAwu
It's a really nice software.
I hope it helps

Answer 7

When preparing your receipee, swap out the butter for one of these.

Answer 8

click on my computer, programme files then all files on the machine will be displayed click on what you want to get rid of (one click) hit the delete button and then enter this will remove stuff to the recycle bin, close and return to control panel then remove anything you need, close and then empty recycle bin then turn machine off and then on this should get rid of most of what you need to remove.
if you know of a programme you want to remove go into search and you can remove them that way as well

Answer 9

Keep a reusable water bottle with your desk to sip often. Staying hydrated can satiate hunger as well as cravings, reduce bloating, and maintain you more alert.

Answer 10

Insert recovery disc and follow on screen instructions.

This should reset to original settings.