Windows 7: Windows 8 to have restore to factory setting option and other features

This is a somewhat confused source. The term "factory settings" is relevant only in the context of OEM machines that sell with windows preloaded and preactivated from the factory. Such computers already have a recovery manager software (called by different names in different brands) that lets you revert to factory state in a jiffy.

As for retail windows, "factory state" could mean a fresh OS install or after drivers are installed or after apps are installed etc. Even in Windows 7, one can create an image using the inbuilt restore-backup. Its possible win8 could have an autostarting wizard that would prompt you to create this image or it could even be an automatic process requiring no user intervention. Or perhaps there could be an OEM-like mechanism that would capture an image and create a hidden recovery partition.

I had XP for almost a decade....I'm a little over a year into Windows 7 bliss.....I am not looking past 7 for another few years. I don't see the need for a new OS this quickly.....sorry Bill

I appreciate your sentiments darkfriday.

But I'm an inveterate tester and looking out for an unstable-ish OS, I wish the 8 beta would come out quickly.

Exactly what I think at the moment. I don't see the need for a new OS right now, as Windows 7 does everything I need.

Back in topic, I see this could be a huge step forward for the average user (which with a simple button could have a brand new OS like it was out of the box) but I don't think I'll ever use it (as I feel more comfortable when I install the OS myself the way I want to).

To me, a way more useful function would be a built-in "restore to X" feature letting the user choose what X stands for (personally, I'd install the OS, the drivers then the main software like a burning suite and Office, plus Firefox and a couple of other things, and this would be my X I'd eventually wantr to restore to).

Im right there with you Bill.

Julio you can click edit and then Delete to remove your double post.

Thanks, I completely missed the "Delete" button out.

Even if it's a stupid mistake, I think I can give you some little rep for this as you suggeted something I didn't figure out myself, silly me

EDIT: why isn't the rep button available in here? -_-'

GREAT idea Julio! I would appreciate being able to restore to "X" also --- I spend a lot of time customizing practically everything on my system and hate the thought of having to do that all over again.

So why not simply use VirtualBox or something similar and instal Windows 7 as a virtual machine? Ever since I started poking around the system files to customize the OS I'd test it in a VM first.

Thanks to all