Cannot restore to factory settings

[autumnrstarr]

My HP desktop originally cam with Windows 7. I used the free upgrade to Windows 10 and have had issues ever since. I must have downloaded adware/viruses and my anti virus seems to find PUPs and quarantines but it always keeps coming back. I tried using adwcleaner, spy bot, and Mal ware bytes and it always comes back so I am clearly not doing something right. I have tried to restore factory settings to wipe out EVERYTHING and take it back to Windows 7 but it keeps saying no changes made, there was a problem. I've messed with this for so long, I'm not even thinking clearly and this is probably an easy fix but I cannot figure it out. Please help.

 

[basroil]

You can't "factory restore" to Win 7, you can only downgrade within the first 30 days or full reinstall at any time.

Considering your issue is misuse of the computer, Windows 10 is a MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER option than reverting to the less secure Windows 7. Just make a new installer by going to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and following the instructions to make a DVD or USB installer and just reformat your computer.

 

[helpstar]

try to use a recovery CD of win7 to restore it
if you didn´t backup the system before, a fresh win7 install should help.

 

[LukeFatwalker]

A Factory Reset will likely not fix the issues that you're having, you'll need to re-format the machine. So backup any important data and follow this guide: http://www.wikihow.com/Reformat-Windows-7

After you do that, I would recommend you start backing up your data regularly. It's really up to you but I recommend either a disk imager like Macrium Reflect Free or a snapshot tool like Rollback Rx.