Will I Get Windows 8 or 8.1 Update If I Restore My System?

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I recently purchased a Dell laptop which was previously in service as a demo at a local chain store. It had been reset to the factory default which was Windows 8. In the process of setting it up, I upgraded to Windows 8.1 Update. The next day I burned a set of Factory Default DVDs using the Dell Backup and Recovery app. I then created a USB Recovery Drive using Windows. Both procedures stated that I needed to save approximately 11.7GB of data, which is the same size as one of the hard disk Recovery partitions.

My question is, if I need to restore my system using either of the backups I created, will I revert back to Windows 8 or will I revert back to Windows 8.1 Update? In other words, when I upgraded to Windows 8.1 Update, did Windows also update the Recovery partition?

Thanks for your help.

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lf the OEM hidden partition is of windows 8 then any factory reset/restore will be windows 8 and you would have to get the update again.

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I went to http://www.dellbackupandrecovery.com/en-us/Index.html To try to get an unambiguous answer. I didn’t really get one.

There are 2 scenarios where customers will have incompatibility issues after upgrading to Windows (8.1):

Customers will not be able to restore from the local Windows 8 factory image.
Customers will not be able to restore from a Windows 8 System Backup.

Solution: Customer will need to update Dell Backup and Recovery online after the Windows upgrade is complete.

To do this:
1. Open Dell Backup and Recovery and click on the “Update” tile.
2. Click on the “Check Now” box and follow the prompts until the process is complete.

After updating Dell Backup and Recovery, you should re-create your recovery media.

If you are a Premium user, Dell Backup and Recovery will automatically do a new System Backup right after the update process.

Dell > Support > Dell Backup and Recovery

I think that means that Dell back up and recovery makes a file backup. not an image.

did Windows also update the Recovery partition?

That one is easy. No.

If you want to be able to restore to Windows 8.1, with all the updates, and all your data, you will have to get a Backup program that creates an image. The Windows 7 Backup and Recovery program will create an image. The Windows 8/8.1 program creates “File History”, which is very useful, if you have the right problem, and useless if you need to restore your Operating System.

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That sounds to me like the Recovery partition is updated to reflect the new OS as the recovery media will be copying what is in the Recovery partition – otherwise there would be no need to create new recovery media disks.

While I don’t have Win 8/8.1 – isn’t there a link you can click in File History for System Image Backup which takes you to the system image process ?

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That sounds to me like the Recovery partition is updated to reflect the new OS as the recovery media will be copying what is in the Recovery partition – otherwise there would be no need to create new recovery media disks.

To me it reads that the program itself (Dell Backup and Recovery) needs updating and then one would need to re-create the recovery media because the old recovery media won’t work with the updated program. Logic would dictate that the recovery partition itself is not altered since that might be very problematic in a case requiring a recovery from a problematic update.

In any case I agree with the consensus to use a third party image program to establish a new recovery point because going back to Win 8 and upgrading/updating again through the Store and then WU is just a pain in the tookus without a blazing fast Internet connection, not to mention the need to reinstall everything else again.

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Thanks, Prescott, for taking a look at Dell. After I installed 8.1 (Update was included) I had to reinstall both Dell Backup and Recovery and MyDell. As I recall, those were the only two apps that weren’t compatible with the upgrade. I think the Dell and Windows backup/restore programs are both reading the same Recovery partition to create their respective “factory” re-installation media (DVDs or USB flashdrive.) However, I don’t believe we have sufficient information to conclude that the Recovery partition was updated. If we could somehow look inside it, we might find a file that would provide the answer. Or, maybe someone who has restored their system after upgrading from 8 to 8.1 could provide the answer.

After I made my Recovery Drive via Windows, it asked me if I wanted to delete the partition to free up disk space. I found that curious, because the Recovery partition is relatively small and at the extreme end of the partition table. Adding it back to the Local C: drive partition would have required major re-partitioning. However, if I’ll revert back to Windows 8 and its apps, I don’t see much point in keeping it. Windows 8.1 can create an image. The option is at the bottom left on the File History panel. I did that, but I have no way knowing how much of the disk was imaged. Regardless of what’s there, it’s probably the place to start if something really goes wrong.

So…has anyone who upgraded from Window 8 to 8.1 had to restore their system to the “factory default” and what did you end up with?

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It still looks to me from Prescott’s article that Dell upgraded the Recovery partition and the size of the system image file will be an indication of what was imaged, but in the System Image process, it tells you what will be imaged and what the size of the file could be before you click on Start backup.

It may only be Dell that has the ability to upgrade the partition, so you may have to run the factory reset yourself and restore with the image you have created to see if it does create a full image.

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DJG,

Why not remove all uncertainty, create an image with something like Macrium free, and store it on an external drive? Much safer than relying on a recovery partition or even an image on your HDD.

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Here’s my personal experience….

I have a laptop (Samsung RV511) that came with windows 7 Home premium. I partitioned the C drive to 2 equal partitions. I installed window 8 pro on the new D drive. Then upgraded to 8.1 when it came out. Then I had some issues and had to “remove everything” and reinstall windows…which took me back to windows 8 not 8.1. I had to upgrade again to 8.1 and with no problem. Now 8.1 update one came out and I updated to that. So the bottom line is what ever the original OS is, that’s what it will factory restore to……

Here, straight from MS…..

“Note

If you upgraded your PC from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 and your PC has a Windows 8 recovery partition, resetting your PC will restore Windows 8. You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 after the reset has finished.”

reference link….. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

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The experience related by bassfisher6522, plus the MS link provided, definitely answer my question. I certainly agree that using a disk image as a recovery point is the logical alternative to reverting to “factory default.” From looking at the UI, Dell’s Backup and Recovery can only restore a full “factory default” or individual programs and drivers from the DVD recovery media I created. The USB Recovery Drive I created with Windows is also limited to restoring the “factory default.” I firmly believe each is a copy of the same recovery partition.

However, it may not be necessary to use a third party imaging program. Microsoft has included Windows Recovery Environment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Recovery_Environment#Windows_Recovery_Environment) since Windows Vista. In Windows 7 you needed to create the recovery tool by burning a System Repair Disc.

In Windows 8/8.1 it is possible to run the tool (WINRETOOLS) directly by following the path: Charms>Settings>Change PC Settings>Update and recovery>Recovery. Or you can hold down the shift key while clicking Restart and WINRETOOLS will start. Using that method, additional options are available via Troubleshoot>Advanced Options where you have an option System Image Recovery. I can only conclude that the image MS intends you recover is one you’ve created with Window 8.1 via File History>System Image Backup. Since I’ve already created a System Image to an external USB hard drive, I think I’m covered.

I’d like to thank everyone for all their research and comments.

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I think I’m covered.

Until you’ve tried it and succeeded, you won’t know you’re covered.

I use 3^rd party imaging, and test my images frequently. Knowing that it will work is more comforting than thinking that it should work.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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I did a factory restore on my ThinkPad Twist a couple of weeks ago. It used to be on Win 8.1, but the factory restopre reverted it back to Win 8.0 (pretty much as I expected), then I had to apply hundreds of updates before I could apply Win 8.1, then more updates and I could install Win 8.1 Update 1. Then the final set of updates. The updates to get it back to current level were gigabytes in size, and took hours/days.

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http://www.howtogeek.com/167831/everything-you-need-to-know-about-creating-custom-recovery-images-for-windows-8/
try this link it will save a lot of work!!!

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