How to Reinstall Windows XP / Vista on a Dell PC Using Recovery OEM Discs

You can reinstall Microsoft Windows XP or Vista, depending on the version of the recovery disc included with your Dell PC, to refresh your computer and return the software to factory condition. Reinstalling Windows on your Dell PC completely erases the hard drive and removes any personal information, which is useful if you wish to sell your PC or give it away. In most cases, reinstalling Windows with the Dell recovery disc increases the operating speed of the computer.

Things You'll Need

• Windows OEM Recovery Discs

Instructions

1. Power on or restart the computer.

2. Press the "F12" key a few times when the "Dell" logo appears. This toggles the boot menu.

3. Insert the Dell Windows Recovery disc into the disc drive.

4. Select the optical drive with the arrow keys, and then press "Enter." This is usually labelled "IDE CD-ROM Device" or "CD/DVD/CD-RW Device," or similar, depending on your model Dell PC.

5. Press a key on the keyboard, such as the spacebar, when "Press any key to boot from the CD..." is displayed on the screen.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory restore of the Microsoft Windows XP or Vista operating system. When the process is complete, the installed software is returned to factory condition.

Tips & Warnings

• This process erases all data from your computer. Be sure to have a recent backup before proceeding.

Resources

• Dell Support