Remove Windows 8.1 Preview from Surface

You can't uninstall Windows 8.1 Preview from Surface, but you can reset Surface to remove Windows 8.1 preview and return Surface to its factory settings.

• Solution 1: Reset Surface from Windows
• Solution 2: Reset Surface from a USB recovery drive

Important warnings: Things you need to know before resetting Surface

After a reset, Surface returns to its factory settings.

• All your personal files, settings, and apps will be gone. You’ll have to set up Surface as if it were brand new.
• Windows and the apps that came with Surface will be reinstalled as part of the reset process, but you will have to reinstall Windows Store and desktop apps that did not come pre-installed on Surface.
• Surface Pro: Make sure that you have access to the product keys and installation files for any desktop apps (for example, Microsoft Office) that you plan to reinstall after the reset. This includes desktop apps you installed from websites, discs, or USB drives.

Tip  Make a list of the desktop apps you plan to reinstall and gather the above information beforehand. This way, you’ll be sure to have everything you need to get Surface set up and desktop apps reinstalled when you’re done.

Surface RT: To remove Windows 8.1 Preview from Surface RT, skip to Solution 2.

Surface Pro: To remove Windows 8.1 Preview from Surface Pro and return it to its factory settings:

1. From the Start screen, swipe in from the right edge, and tap Settings.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings.)
2. Tap or click Change PC Settings, tap or click Update & recovery, and then tap or click Recovery. Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, tap or click Get started.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If Surface Pro doesn't successfully reset to Windows 8, try Solution 2.

Note  For this solution to work, you must have created a recovery drive before you installed Windows 8.1 Preview on your Surface.

Reset Surface from a USB recovery drive

1. Open the Settings charm, tap or click Power, and then tap or click Shut down. (Or, tap or click the Power icon in the lower-right corner of the sign-in screen.)
2. Attach the USB recovery drive to Surface.
3. Hold the volume-down (-) rocker.
4. Press and release the power button.
5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume rocker.
6. Choose your language options.
7. Choose your keyboard layout.
8. From the BitLocker screen, tap or click Skip This Drive.
9. Tap or click Troubleshoot.
10. Tap or click Reset your PC.
11. Tap or click Next.
12. Surface Pro only: Tap or click No, keep the existing partitions.
13. Tap or click Just remove my files.
14. When Surface displays All ready to go, tap or click Reset.

Surface will reset back to factory settings.