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Easiest Way to Access Windows 8 System Restore on Corrupt Computer

The following steps are designed for Microsoft Windows 8 computers that will not boot normally or have corrupt User Profiles:

The easiest way to restore a Microsoft Windows computer is by using Microsoft Windows System Restore.  System Restore is available in both Normal Boot and Safe Mode in Microsoft Windows.  System Restore will restore your system prior to a virus infection or program installation.  To do so, you select the Restore Point prior to the virus infection or program installation and Microsoft Windows will restore your System to its previously working state.  (System Refresh is designed for uninfected Microsoft Windows computers that you wish to reset back to factory defaults.  System Refresh does not remove virus or malware infections.  A computer that is System Refreshed is still infected.  In comparison, System Restore will restore a system prior to a virus infection or program installation including malware installations.)

Windows 8 Safe Mode Time Window

On Windows 8 computers, the time window to open the Windows Boot Menu is extremely short - it is the moment immediately after powering on the computer.  If you have missed the time window to open the Windows Boot Menu, the Microsoft Windows 8 Circle Animation will appear.  If this happens, it is important to not turn off the computer and try again.  You will need to allow Windows 8 to boot normally and then do a restart within Microsoft Windows.  If you turn off the computer repeatedly using the power button, you risk enabling a dirty bit on your hard drive which will then initiate the Windows 8 Repairing Your Computer CHKDSK process which may take an hour or more to complete.  A dirty bit can only be removed by the completion of the CHKDSK process.  If this happens, please allow the CHKDSK process to complete as this will have an impact on the integrity of your hard drive.

System Restore (Option A - Hit F8):
  1. Option A is dependent upon a command being issue on your Windows 8 computer prior to needing to access to the Windows Boot Menu.  Using an Administrative Command Prompt, you would issue the command:

    bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

    This command forces Microsoft Windows 8 to recognize the F8 key immediately after a computer is powered on

  2. Hit F8 within the Time Window described above.  (Some vendors have enabled holding down Shift and then hitting F8 to access the Windows Boot Menu.)

  3. From within the Windows Boot Menu, select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

  4. Hit Enter. 

  5. Once Windows has booted into Safe Mode with Command Prompt, click Start - Run.

  6. Type: rstrui  (Or browse to Settings - Control Panel - System - System Protection - System Restore.)

  7. Hit Enter.  You can now run System Restore.
 System Restore (Option B - Boot Windows 8 DVD):
  1. If the computer has UEFI, temporarily set UEFI Secure Boot to Disabled or Legacy so the Microsoft Windows 8 DVD is bootable.

  2. Boot from the Windows 8 DVD.

  3. Click Repair Your Computer in the lower left-hand corner.

  4. Click Troubleshoot.

  5. Click Advanced Options.

  6. Click System Restore.  You can now run System Restore.

  7. Once System Restore has completed and your computer has booted back to normal, you will then want to set UEFI Secure Boot back to Enabled.
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