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Surface - Reset or Reinstalling Windows Methods

Page Content:

  1. Reinstalling Windows from Microsoft's Recovery Image
  2. OSDCloud: Use a Pre-Created USB Image (Coming Soon)
  3. OSDCloud: Create Your Own Recovery Image (Coming Soon)
  4. Resetting Your PC: Methods to Access Recovery - (draft)
  5. Resetting Your PC from Within Windows
  6. Resetting Your PC from Advanced Repair  - (draft)
  7. Go Back to Windows 10 (Downgrade)

1. Reinstalling Windows from Microsoft's Recovery Image

If your Surface device is having issues and you need to reinstall Windows, you can download a recovery image directly from Microsoft.

Steps:

  1. Visit the Microsoft Surface Recovery Image Download.
  2. Enter your Surface device's serial number and download the recovery image.
  3. Click Start and search for Recovery Drive. 

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  4. Important: Untick "Backup system files to the recovery drive" (this will erase everything on the USB).

    Recover_Drive_Untick.png

  5. Copy everything from the ZIP file you downloaded to the recovery drive. When prompted to replace existing files, select Yes.
  6. Plug the USB into the Surface and press the Power button + Volume Down button to boot from the USB.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows.

Note:
On some devices running Windows 11, Power + Volume Down might not be enough. Instead, try Power + Volume Up. Once in UEFI, navigate to the Bootable Options, drag the USB to the top or untick Windows and Internal Boot Options.


2. OSDCloud: Use a Pre-Created USB Image (Coming Soon)

For a faster reinstallation, you can use a pre-configured USB image created using OSDCloud.

Steps:

  1. Obtain the OSDCloud image that’s been pre-created for Surface devices.
  2. Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with the image.
  3. Plug the USB into your Surface and boot from it to start the installation.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions for reinstallation.

3. OSDCloud: Create Your Own Recovery Image (Coming Soon)

If you'd prefer to create your own recovery image using OSDCloud, follow these steps:

Steps:

  1. Install ADK (Assessment and Deployment Kit).
  2. Install OSDCloud by following the official guide here.
  3. Use the tool to build a custom recovery image specific to your device.
  4. Create a bootable USB with your custom image.
  5. Boot from the USB and follow the installation process.

4. Resetting Your PC: Methods to Access Recovery - (draft)

If your Surface device is functional but needs a reset, there are different methods to access the recovery environment and reset the PC.

Methods to Access Recovery:

  • During Boot:

    1. Turn off your Surface.
    2. Press and hold the Volume Up button and then press the Power button.
    3. Continue holding the Volume Up button until the Surface logo appears.
    4. From the recovery menu, choose Reset this PC.

  • Using Installation Media:

    1. Insert a bootable USB drive created with the Windows image.
    2. Restart the Surface and boot from the USB to access recovery options.

5. Resetting Your PC from Within Windows

If your Surface is still bootable and you want to reset Windows from within the operating system:

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
  2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
  3. Choose whether to Keep my files or Remove everything.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

6. Resetting Your PC from Advanced Repair  - (draft)

If your Surface is not bootable, here are two methods to reset Windows through Advanced Repair:

Steps:

  • Method 1:
    1. Hold down the Shift button and restart your computer.
    2. This will open the Advanced Repair menu.
  • Method 2:
    1. Force power down the PC three times in a row by holding the power button until it shuts off.
    2. On the third restart, the Advanced Repair menu should appear.

Once in the recovery menu, follow these steps:

  1. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
  2. Choose whether to Keep my files or Remove everything.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

7. Go Back to Windows 10 (Downgrade)

If you recently upgraded to Windows 11 and wish to roll back to Windows 10:

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
  2. Under Go back to Windows 10, click Get started.
  3. Follow the prompts to return to your previous version of Windows.

Note:
You can only roll back to Windows 10 if it’s been less than 10 days since the upgrade. After that, you’ll need to reinstall Windows 10 using an installation media.


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