Windows 7: Recovery Option 3 - Factory Reset

This section provides a tutorial example on how to apply the factory reset on Windows 7 system. Factory reset processes are defined differently by individual computer manufactures.

If your system gets infected by a malicious software you have tried for hours to remove it without success, you should consider to take a Windows 7 recovery option.

You should first try the "Restore Point" and "System Image" options described in previous tutorials. If that does not solve the problem, you should consider "Factory Reset" as the last option. Applying a "Factory Reset" will wipe out the current system, application programs and personal documents. So you should backup any files that are important to you.

1. If the current system is still running, copy all files from hard disk drive C: to an external hard disk. This backup is needed to restore your personal documents after the system recovery is done.

2. Shut down and turn off your computer.

3. Press the function key defined by the manufacture to start factory reset while boot the computer.

For example, the function key to start factory reset for my ThinkPad computer is the "F11". The factory reset process is called "Product Recovery program".

4. Follow the instruction to finish the factory reset process.

5. Restore personal documents from the backup.

Table of Contents

 About This Windows Security Book

 Windows 8: System Security Review

 Windows 8: System Security Protection

 Windows 8 System Recovery

 Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection

 Windows 7: System Security Review

 Windows 7: System Security Protection

Windows 7 System Recovery

 Windows 7: System Recovery Options

 Windows 7: View Available Restore Points

 Windows 7: Restore Point Settings

 Windows 7: Create Restore Point

 Windows 7: Recovery Option 1 - Restore Point

 Windows 7: Create System Image

 Windows 7: Create System Repair Disc

 Windows 7: Boot from Repair Disc

 Windows 7: Create Repair USB Drive

 Windows 7: Modify Boot Order in BIOS

 Windows 7: Recovery Option 2 - System Image

 Windows 7: Verify Factory Reset

Windows 7: Recovery Option 3 - Factory Reset

 Windows 7 Forefront Client Security

 Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool

 McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Keeping Firefox Secure

 Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure

 Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)

 HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool

 IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal

 "Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal

 "Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware

 Malware Manual Removal Experience

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

 PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal

 MS08-001 Vulnerability on Windows Systems

 Antivirus System PRO

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB