Should I factory reset my computer that shut down during the Windows 8.1 update?

[945]

I didn't plug my laptop in before installing Windows 8.1 back in November It shut down somewhere before the update was complete. My computer has been acting up a little from time to time. My google chrome tabs page deletes tabs sometimes. Itunes occasionally loses it's icon on my task bar. My desktop icons rearrange themselves from time to time. I am contemplating throwing all my files on a external hard drive then factory resetting the whole thing. But at the same time I am a little concerned that for whatever reason, resetting the computer will render it useless. Like it fries the harddrive or something technical that I can't foresee, but is likely. I'd rather have a moderately frustrating computer than a $400 laptop brick.

[088]

That's what I would do, Factory reset it, and as you said, save your stuff on ext hdd first

[Juice Box]

You should factory reset your laptop. During the installation if your computer shutdown, files could have been corrupted. It is to your best option to factory reset before your hard drive corrupts and malfunction. To avoid this in the future, use system restore before any major change as in update or driver updates. To find system restore go to Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore. Or you could just search for it. Be advise though, system restore does not save personal data. Or simply back up to an external hard drive.