Computers

How to give your Windows 8 PC a clean start with PC Refresh

How to give your Windows 8 PC a clean start with PC Refresh
Here's how to perform a PC Refresh on Windows 8.1
Here's how to perform a PC Refresh on Windows 8.1
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Start the PC Refresh process
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Start the PC Refresh process
Execute these commands in the command prompt
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Execute these commands in the command prompt
Create a new directory for a recovery image
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Create a new directory for a recovery image
Error when trying to execute a PC Refresh
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Error when trying to execute a PC Refresh
Windows' message about what PC Refresh does
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Windows' message about what PC Refresh does
PC Refresh takes several minutes and your PC will restart a few times
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PC Refresh takes several minutes and your PC will restart a few times
Verify the image file was successfully created
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Verify the image file was successfully created
Windows is starting PC Refresh
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Windows is starting PC Refresh
After the refresh, some apps will need to be reconfigured
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After the refresh, some apps will need to be reconfigured
Run the command prompt as administrator
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Run the command prompt as administrator
Here's how to perform a PC Refresh on Windows 8.1
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Here's how to perform a PC Refresh on Windows 8.1
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Just like with previous versions, once you've had your Windows 8 computer for a while, chances are it will become unstable or not be as sprightly as it once was. That's when a little clean up might be on order to return it to its former glory. Here's how to use the PC Refresh feature to reclaim the speed and stability the computer once had and not lose your personal files. This article will also show you how to make PC Refresh (and Reset) work if you receive a common error message.

PC Refresh and Reset has been available since the first release of Windows 8, but it has changed since Windows 8.1 and the more recent Windows 8.1 update 1.

Note: There is a big difference between a PC Refresh and PC Reset. The latter will restore your PC to factory settings, which will also delete all of your personal files and apps. I suggest doing the PC Refresh for getting speed and stability back to your computer while retaining your personal files. However, If your computer is badly infected or you're selling it, then a PC Reset would be in order.

Getting to either PC Refresh or PC Reset is exactly the same. The only difference is with one you keep your personal files, while the other wipes your machine clean.

Why is PC Refresh valuable?

Inevitably, your Windows system will slow down over time in comparison to when you first got it. Everyday use and installing and uninstalling apps will leave remnants of those programs and files in temporary directories and the Registry, which causes stability and performance problems. If you've been hit by malicious software, uninstalling it can also lead to corrupted files that results in a slow and unstable computer.

The best solution to this type of slow down or instability in previous versions of Windows was to do a clean install of the OS, which is a long and arduous process. And who has the time? Now, in Windows 8, there’s a feature that lets you Refresh or Reset your PC without going through the hassle of a clean install.

Refresh your Windows 8 computer

To refresh your Windows 8.x system, go to Settings > Update and Recovery > Recovery. Then under "Refresh your PC without affecting your files," click the Get started button. Or if you do want to do a PC Reset, click the Get Started button under "Remove everything and reinstall Windows." We'll take the first option.

Start the PC Refresh process
Start the PC Refresh process

Next you should see the following message letting you know what will happen during the PC Refresh.

Windows' message about what PC Refresh does
Windows' message about what PC Refresh does

Now wait while your computer restarts a couple of times and the PC Refresh completes. You'll see a series of different screens, like the one below, where Windows lets you know where it's at in the refresh process. In my experience, it usually takes about 30 minutes, but the time will vary between systems.

Windows is starting PC Refresh
Windows is starting PC Refresh

Keep in mind that after the refresh is complete, you'll need to do some system configuration to get everything back to how you had it. For example, you'll need to set up and reconfigure some desktop programs like iTunes or Google Chrome, reset file associations, desktop shortcuts, etc. While that's a bit annoying, the important thing is your personal files, such as photos, music, Office documents, videos, etc., are still there.

After the refresh, some apps will need to be reconfigured
After the refresh, some apps will need to be reconfigured

Troubleshooting PC Refresh/Reset

Error when trying to execute a PC Refresh
Error when trying to execute a PC Refresh

If the above instructions didn't work and you receive the error message: "some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recovery media will provide these files" shown above, you'll need to do some geeky stuff. This is a common error if you updated Windows 8 to 8.1 via the Windows Store. Microsoft didn't include the proper image file to do a PC Refresh and the ability to do a PC Refresh or PC Reset is no longer there.

Microsoft advises that you need the ISO file of Windows 8.1, but that wasn't made available right away, and a lot of people aren't able to use their original Windows 8 key to download it. The good thing is, you can create the proper image file, but it takes some time and patience.

Before you start, make sure your computer has at least 16 GB of free space available on the hard drive. Then you'll need to run the command prompt as administrator. This is essential, otherwise creating the image won't work.

Right-click on the Windows button from the desktop and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu. Alternately you can search for cmd in the Modern environment, then under the results right-click Command Prompt and select to run as administrator.

Run the command prompt as administrator
Run the command prompt as administrator

Then type in the following commands in succession:

mkdir C:\RefreshImage and hit Enter.

recimg -CreateImage C:\RefreshImage and hit Enter.

When you're done, the command prompt should look like the screen shot below. Windows first creates a snapshot of the recovery image and, after it's created, Windows starts writing the recovery image.

Create a new directory for a recovery image
Create a new directory for a recovery image

It can take several hours for Windows to write the recovery image depending on your computer's hardware. When everything is complete, the command prompt will look like the shot below.

Execute these commands in the command prompt
Execute these commands in the command prompt

To verify the image creation was successful, navigate to the directory you created, C:\Refreshimage and you'll see the image file stored there.

Verify the image file was successfully created
Verify the image file was successfully created

Now you can go back and run PC Refresh or PC Reset as shown in the steps above and everything should work just fine.

Summing up

If your computer came with Windows 8.1 or 8.1 update 1 pre-installed, the first method shown above should work exactly as described. There are some other ways you can get the Windows 8.1 ISO, but that requires some goofy work arounds and those steps are even more convoluted and time consuming. Plus, you would need to make an installation disc or flash drive image from the ISO anyway. So, even though making the image file via the command line seems to be a hassle, it could be worse.

Of course, with anything tech, something could go wrong, so you'll definitely want to make sure you have a solid backup strategy. A good backup plan is to store your files to cloud services like OneDrive or Google Drive and have an on-site backup to an external drive, server, or NAS. It's also a good idea to make sure everything is being backed up to an off-site location using services like CrashPlan or Backblaze.

Now enjoy your revitalized PC.

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14 comments
14 comments
StWils
Ever since MS-DOS was new & cool PC performance declines with usage. I can see no reason to believe that WinDoze will ever change. As long Bill or his henchman successors can blindside users and drag them into routinely buying new hardware to speed up new crappy software this will not change. He likes being a Billionaire. Try Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, etc. etc. Free, Stable, Open Source Software!!
David993
Well, having initiated the process as described, I get a message that says I shall have to go to the WIndoze Store to get 8.1 and the additional update! It cost me €50 to get my PC upgraded to 8.1 because the ´free´ (F***ing useless) update process would not work on my Win 8.0 Samsung PC despite numerous attempts commencing in November last year, until I gave up and paid the professionals to do a full reinstall and upgrade in May! Sorry but I am not going to risk another upgrade to 8.1 saga through the Win Store! Look very carefully before you leap! The sooner we can all get away from Windoze and its fundamentally flawed software the better!
pmshah
@StWils
Please do advise on the version of Linux that will not trash everything present on the disk AS also upgrade to the newest version without screwing up. So long as Linux installation is going to insist on writing the boot sector to my MBR without the option of selecting the installation partition for it, I am no longer willing to take a chance on it any more.
BTW I still find good old Norton Ghost to be the best one yet. After installing the OS and all the required software I move "My Documents" and the pagefile to "D" drive. Install EasyBCD and add the Ghost bootable floppy image to the list. Now create a ghost image and you are all done. When you restore this ghost image only thing you would need to update is the antivirus signature file. Repeat the ghost image creation process every fortnight or so and you have the best of both wordls.
Edward Daly
8.1 does have stability issues - But - considering the work Microsoft went through to have a linked apps and news page from their touch central "start" page it can be over looked. The Kindle app is superb! I think Microsoft should provide free cloud back up of the operating system that's easy to activate, or at least a self correcting diagnostic program that internally monitors the system.
Telma Coutinho
Ty so much for your post. Really helped me a lot... I was trying to reset my Windows 8.1 and couldn't because of missing files.
Manny Campos
I tried downloading the file from command prompt but i ended with a blank file (no tools to open) thats 240gb. I am pretty sure i did something wron ._.
Martin Jul Hammer
Worked like a charm! Thank you very much :)
Jaimey Hoff
I wanted to make such a command control file, let my laptop stay on for the night. next day I woke up and it was unsuccesfull. what to do? Did I do something wrong?
greets Jaimey
PedraAhmedDwixena
i tried 5 times cmd thing step, and i'm sure i typed correctly as shown above, but it always failed writing image on 37%. i can't figure out what's wrong:( please help, thank you very much.
is there any way to get customrefresh.wim file from the internet?
FilipeFerreira
Hello, i did the cmd part because i was getting the missing files error and I still get them. I think the cmd process went fine, what could be the problem? Thanks!
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