Does the factory reset remove windows and office updates already installed?

Original Title: windows 8.1 factory reset

i wanna have a factory reset on my windows 8.1 but the question is that does the factory reset remove windows and office updates already installed?? and if so, what can i do to keep about 350 updates installed??? thanks.

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Answer

Bill Smithers

Hi,

Yes a factory reset puts your machine back to new condition, as you bought it..

All updates, programs data, etc, are removed; everything.

And NO, you can not save installed updates.

Read the information below about Refresh/Reset and I suggest that next time that you get your machine to a point where it is updated and you are happy with it that you do a System Image Backup.

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Refreshing keeps Data, with some exceptions (read below) ; Resetting wipes it all.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html

Note

Which Settings will be Preserved

All user accounts.
Files in all users' C:\Users\(user-name) folders. (ex: Desktop, My Documents, My Music, etc...)
Wireless network connections
Apps from the Windows Store will be kept.
Mobile broadband connections
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go settings
Drive letter assignments
Personalization settings such as lock screen background and desktop wallpaper
Choices you made during Windows Welcome, such as computer name and user accounts, will not change.
Network, Libraries, and Windows Update settings will not change.
Customer Experience Improvement Program settings will not change.
Windows Error Reporting settings will not change.
Some drivers may or may not be removed.

Which Settings will be NOT be Preserved

File type associations
Display settings
User settings
Windows Firewall settings
App settings
All installed 3rd party desktop programs (not Store apps). A list of removed apps will be saved on your desktop after the refresh is finished to let you know which programs were removed.
You PC settings will be changed back to their defaults.
Installed Windows Updates will be removed.
Some drivers may or may not be removed.

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http://www.howtogeek.com/132428/everything-you-need-to-know-about-refreshing-and-resetting-your-windows-8-pc/

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http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2302-reset-windows-8-a.html

Note

Which files will be affected?

When you reset your PC, the drive will be completely reset, and all your apps and files will be removed from it. Windows 8 will be reinstalled, and you'll need to change any settings and reinstall any apps that you want to get back after resetting. If you know if any files that you don't want to lose, then you should back those files up before starting the reset.

What if I have multiple drives?

You can choose whether to reset all hard drives or just the one with Windows 8 installed on it. Any drive that Windows 8 doesn't recognize, such as those with non-Windows operating systems, will not be affected.

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Use System Image Backup

You can still use System Image Backup in Windows 8/8.1.

"System Image Backup in Windows 8.1"

https://www.winhelp.us/system-image-backup-in-windows-8-1.html

"Windows 8.1 Tip: Use System Image Backup"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-use-system-image-backup

"Restore a System Image in Windows 7 and 8/8.1"

https://www.winhelp.us/restore-a-system-image-in-windows-7.html#reimage

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"EaseUS Todo Backup Free"