How to do factory restore

Den12

want to factory restore just like the state when purchased. Not windows restore. don't want to lose the programs that came with it.

thanks

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Simonics

It depends why you want to do this.

I keep my original apps and settings by updating using the Media Creation Tool [MCT] downloaded from Microsoft Win10 download site [also site for Win11]. I create the MCT for any PC, downloaded onto a USB stick.

I turn off controlled folders, [and turn them on after install].

I then open the MCT USB stick on the desktop and click on setup.exe file, which then sets up the latest version of the OS keeping my apps and settings. At a certain point it asks for internet to be on. It is much better to put the internet on, as it is a much better install.

On the other hand, if you want the original OS, as it was when buying the PC, then there are only two ways I can think of.

1. Use PC own brand factory restore suite, which Acer doesn't seem to do anymore.
2. Make your own system image at the very start when you buy the PC, and later re-install that image using windows onboard recovery suite, or Windows MCT USB stick recovery suite.

Having said that, there are Windows Recovery options that allow you to keep files, and do a reset, but maybe not apps, or settings. I avoid these, because I don't know what they will leave.

I myself do a mix of regular system images, and MCT USB stick upgrades, that together allow me to go back to the most recent clean system version.

Simonics

If you want to wipe the drive and start again….

If you have no system images and want to start again, then download the MCT USB stick, as mentioned above, wipe your drive partitions if you can, on another PC, then put drive back in it's own PC, install the latest OS vn using MCT USB stick, and re-install your apps later, and get PC brand apps off their website later.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/691603/how-to-do-factory-restore

If you already reset your system with Windows "Reset this PC" option you will have lost the Acer Recovery volume on the boot drive, if you never did a Reset in Windows and did not do a Clean Install with a Windows ISO image, you can use the Acer Care Center app "Recovery", if you don't have ACC you can download it from Acer Support for your model and install. The best way is bringing your laptop to Acer Services in your country to reset the PC to factory defaults, if your warranty expired there will be a small service charge of $25 in the Philippines.

Simonics

I know Acer used to do this, but my Acer desktop never had a factory restore image in the Acer Care Center app. I just assumed Acer stopped doing it.