Either this is a serious defect with the Windows Store-provided update for Windows 8.1 or Microsoft has done this intentionally but doing an update to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store-provided service nukes your ability to use System Reset/Refresh.

It claims files are missing which means that the update erased the necessary reset files from the HDD but didn't replace them during the update with Windows 8.1 compatible equivalents.

I had to do a System Reset on one of my computers and I ended up having to get a Windows 8.1 ISO from a less than reputable source just to get my hands around the necessary missing file and now I can't even activate it with my Windows 8 Pro upgrade key. None of this would have been a problem if I could just perform the System Reset in place on Windows 8.1 and reset it back to a neutral, clean Windows 8.1 installation.

I've since managed to find a way to do the install the way I needed to but can someone please give me some clarity on this subject so I don't have to go through all this again (as I've got two other computers that run a Windows Store-updated Windows 8.1 installation and at least one of them is probably due for its own System Refresh)? What can I do to refresh a valid Windows 8.1 installation if I need to?

EDIT: Oh, and one more thing: one of those computers is an OEM-installed Windows 8 copy that was subsequently upgraded to 8.1 yet it too suffers from the "missing files" error when a System Refresh/Reset is requested. What am I supposed to do here if I want to do a System Refresh to this computer? Will the OEM key inside it activate if I go outside the operating system to install it anew?

• Edited by Cray-Z Sunday, December 08, 2013 3:59 PM Had another point ot make.

Hi,

For the activation issue, please note that a win8 product key cannot be used to active win8.1, we need to make a clean installation of win8, then upgrade to win8 through windows store.

Regarding to the win8.1 reset/refresh issue, we tested and have the same result as yours, as I know, if we upgrade to win8.1 through windows store, then well need a iso or media to reset or refresh win8.1.

Regards

Yolanda

That's...not an answer. That's just an explanation.

You can't keep your data if you need to reinstall Windows 8.1 just because of the upgrade path? You have to wipe everything by reinstalling Windows 8 then upgrade to 8.1?

And how do you get a Windows 8.1 ISO, pray tell?

Please view the two links:

WARNING: If you Upgrade to Windows 8.1 through the Store you will likely loose refresh/reset feature

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-system/warning-if-you-upgrade-to-windows-81-through-the/dbc0a4ee-dada-486e-87a6-6ae4963efe8f

We Have Found a Solution to the Refresh and Reset Problem in Windows 8.1!

http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/we-have-found-a-solution-to-the-refresh-and-reset-problem-in-windows-8-1/

well need a iso or media to reset or refresh win8.1.

Regards

Yolanda

C:\Program Files (x86)\NeoSmart Technologies\EasyBCD\bin>net start sppsvc
The Software Protection service is starting.
The Software Protection service could not be started.

A system error has occurred.

System error 5 has occurred.

Access is denied.



This is the error from running net start sppsvc in an elevated command prompt.  Software Protection Service (sppsvc.exe) is getting an "access denied" error and code 0xC0000022.  Ok, let me break it down for you...  And this is with a fully legit VL key that works on several PC in our school that are



First, you perform a System Refresh for what ever reason.  After the Refresh, within a few minutes get the Windows version watermark in the lower left corner of your desktop that shows the windows version and build.  Then after that you get another watermark above the first watermark that says you need to activate by going to **Change PC Settings***.  From there you are on the activation screen and its state with out doing anything...**Activation Error Description Not Found.**  When you click "Activate Now" nothing happens.  You briefly see "checking this key" and then nothing.



This is where the above mentioned Software Protection service  is failing. <---  Needs to be fixed.



Now at this point I cannot attempt to do an online activation because the sppsvc.exe is producing the 0xC0000022 error

I cannot do a phone activation because there is no installation ID...all the boxes are blank...because the sppsvc.exe is producing the 0xC0000022 error.

Oh, and I cannot re-type my product key because...you got it...because the sppsvc.exe is producing the 0xC0000022 error.....



The Software Protection service runs when I activate my PCs that are getting a "Clean" installs, Just to test the theory I did a refresh install on the "clean" installed pc and **VOILA** SAME ERROR....



Let me clarify that one of the PCs has a dual partition and a complete re-install of the OS will mean some extensive work fixing the bootloader as well.  I have 150 PCs to refresh and this is what happened on the first one, then the 2nd.  I am running these on a TechNet VL and have never had these issues in the last 3 years.



Listen to these people. ALL are having the same issue.  There has to be a process to fix it.  As difficult as it may seem, some of us don't mind spending a few extra minutes running administrative tasks to fix this instead of re-installing.  That's the novice way to fix the issues and the most painstaking for those of us who work 12-to 14 hrs a day and don't have the time.  We need this fixed.  PLEASE PLEASE

Pretty please.  Please take the time to take ownership of this issue and pioneer a real fix for the hundreds maybe thousands that are having or have had (broke down and did a "clean" install) this EXACT issue.  Thank you so much for your help!!!!!

Hi Team,

I am working on reset feature in windows 8.1.I am able to successfully enable the feature and create a partition and able to reset.I followed below steps in order to work.

Shrink the c driver with 4 GB space(Since I have only one partition.)
Created a new simple volume with no drive letter assigned to it.
Format the drive.
Assigned the drive letter and created a folder called RecoveryImage and copied install.wim file to it.
Remove the drive letter.
Enabled the Windows RE
Set the image using following command
 Set the Recovery image location by below command:
reagentc /setosimage /path \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition3\RecoveryImage\ /index 1

But after resetting pc Recovery partition revealed (I am able to see recovery partition in my computer with drive assigned to it).

Can you please help me to create hidden recovery partition and resolving issue with Recovery partition revealed.

Please don't suggest any tool.

Thanks in advance,

Regards,

Suresh.M.M.