Using the Windows Recovery Environment

However you access these tools, you will eventually reach a Choose your option screen that has a Troubleshoot option. From the Troubleshoot screen–the heart of WinRE–you will find the following tools, many of which are accessible via the Advanced options:

• Refresh your PC and Reset your PC : These tools collectively make up a new Windows 8 capability called Push Button Reset. It’s so important, that it’s examined in the next section.

• System Restore : This is a legacy recovery capability from previous Windows versions that lets you reset the PC configuration to an earlier time, usually because you’ve installed a bad hardware driver that has made the system less stable. This feature is discussed later in the chapter.

• System Image Recovery : Another legacy feature and part of Windows Backup, this option lets you recover Windows using an image‑based backup. Generally speaking, most users will not use Windows Backup with Windows 8, but you can use this option to recover a Windows 7‑ or Windows 8‑based install if needed.

This tool is analogous to Startup Repair from the Windows 7 version of WinRE, though it fixes other errors as well.

• Automatic Repair : This useful option should be your first stop if you are having issues booting into Windows. Simply click Automatic Repair and WinRE will diagnose your PC, check for disk errors, and attempt a repair. More often than not, this will simply work and you’ll be up and running in no time.

NOTE

If you sign in with a local account, you may be prompted to sign in here as well.

• Command Prompt : Designed for advanced users that know their way around a DOS‑style command prompt, this interface provides access to a full slate of useful command‑line tools, including diskpart.exe, recover.exe, and more.

• Startup Settings : This will apply many common troubleshooting configurations to Windows–a low‑resolution video mode, Safe Mode, and so on–to ensure you can boot into a balky install and fix problems from the OS itself.