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1 Rookie
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21 Posts
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40
August 10th, 2025 16:17
m15 R3, new drive, can’t restore Windows 11 to the factory state
The problem I have is that I cannot install the factory Windows on my laptop because the drive that had the recovery file is gone along with the drive itself. I have been searching for ways to restore this recovery file, so I can have Windows 11 as it was originally installed, with the Alienware desktop image and the software that was pre-installed, including the "My Alienware" application. Can anyone help me restore this partition?
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ejn63
10 Elder
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29.2K Posts
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August 10th, 2025 17:17
Any system image for a 4+ year old notebook is so far out of date, you're better off using the Microsoft Media Creation tool to install a new image - you can download from Microsoft. Any other applications you need can be downloaded from Dell.
HedgeFundManager
2 Intern
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497 Posts
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August 10th, 2025 22:34
This machine is a 10 gen Intel platform
I suggest a media creation tool for Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 as desired
Download the Dell Support Assistant
AlienwareM15R3
1 Rookie
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21 Posts
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August 11th, 2025 12:36
I have a problem with my Alienware m15 R3 laptop. The original storage drive failed, and now I can’t restore Windows 11 to the factory state with all the preinstalled Dell applications and the Alienware wallpaper.
I want Windows 11 to be exactly like it was when I first bought the laptop, including the Alienware Command Center working properly.
I tried installing Windows 11 using SupportAssist OS Recovery, but it only installs a clean version of Windows without the Dell apps and settings.
Please help me how can I install the system exactly like it was from the factory?
(edited)
ejn63
10 Elder
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29.2K Posts
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August 11th, 2025 22:04
Unless you've previously made an image of the drive as shipped from Dell, you can't restore it to factory condition at this point. You can download an OS image for your system, but it won't be a mirror of the factory condition of the drive.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000123667/how-to-download-and-use-the-dell-os-recovery-image-in-microsoft-windows
HedgeFundManager
2 Intern
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497 Posts
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August 12th, 2025 00:37
The Support Assistant can install a recovery partition which can help when windows will not start for some reason