How to factory reset an HP laptop running Windows

HP laptops are popular and reliable. But if your laptop is infected with viruses or you want to sell it, you can reset your HP laptop. Resetting laptops and computers to factory settings is not as common as smartphones. But it is a powerful feature and you can easily use it on your HP laptop with Windows 8.1, 10 and 11.

What does reset mean for Windows and HP laptops?

There are two methods for resetting an HP laptop running Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 (for Windows 7, go to Windows 7). One is to use Windows settings or recovery options to restart the computer, and the other is HP Recovery Manager.

Both do the same thing: restart your laptop. But their names are different.

On Windows, the reset option will delete everything on the system drive (usually C:) and leave only the factory-set Windows image (if you choose the “Remove everything”option).

Other drives are not removed unless you do so. You get the option to reformat just the Windows drive or the entire hard drive.

The same will happen if you select System Restore in HP Recovery Manager.

Windows 7 doesn’t provide a reset option per se, but HP does. More on this in the Windows 7 section.

Note. We use the term “Reset”which means deleting everything on the system drive except for the Windows image. On the other hand, “Factory Reset”means that everything on the entire hard drive will be deleted except for the Windows image. We will show you which settings cause a factory reset because this option is hidden in the reset options. So, strictly follow the instructions.

Before you reset your laptop, back up your data

It has already been found that restarting an HP laptop will delete all data on the system drive. So, if you have any data or files that you don’t want to lose, now is the time to save them. Move your data manually to cloud storage or use a data backup tool.

How to factory reset an HP laptop running Windows

Before performing any of these methods, remove any unnecessary external devices such as printers and scanners from your computer or laptop. If it’s a laptop, plug in the power cord.

Reset an HP laptop running Windows 7
Factory reset your HP laptop with Windows 8
Reset your HP laptop running Windows 10 or 11

1. Reset your HP laptop running Windows 7

The reset options in Windows 7 are confusing. There is no clear method to factory reset Windows 7. If you don’t want to face the issue, perform a fresh install of Windows 7 on your HP laptop by reformatting the system drive (C:) and closing it (see section 1.2). Because it will do exactly what a hard reset does.

Some methods are close to restarting HP laptop with Windows 7. Follow below:

1.1 Reset Windows 7 using a system image

If you regularly create system images or system restore points, or have configured your computer to create restore points frequently, you can revert Windows to a saved point.

If you created a system image when you installed Windows, you can use a saved system image (recovery) to go back to that point. Not only that, the freedom of creating a system image is that you can save any point of your Windows state for later use.

Thus, you can install all the necessary programs in Windows and then save the system image in this state. But the only problem here is that if you’ve never created a system image, you don’t have a state to go back to when your Windows is corrupted or infected.

Create a system image in Windows 7. These steps are the same for Windows 8.1, 10 and 11:

Go to control panel
Type “backup”in the search area at the top right.
Select “Backup and Restore”.
Select “Create a system image”from the menu on the left.
This will open the wizard. Select the location where you want to save the system image. For a USB drive, select “on hard drive”and select your USB drive.
Depending on the size of the saved image, this will take some time. You should choose a decent-sized external USB drive to save the system image.
When the backup is complete, you will be given the option to create a system repair disc. You can use this disk to restore a system image even if your Windows won’t boot. This step is recommended. Click Yes.
Select the disk that you want to make the system recovery disk. It can be a CD, DVD or USB stick. (USB drives are recommended.) Then select Create.

Restore Windows 7 using a system image:

If you have previously created a system image and your HP laptop is infected or damaged, you can use it to return it to a state where Windows was working properly.

Again, if you created a system image right after you installed Windows, or right after you got your HP laptop, you can use that image to practically reboot your laptop.

Turn on your HP laptop and press F8 until Windows loads.
Select “Repair your computer”in the advanced boot options.
You may be asked to enter your Windows account password to access System Recovery Options.
You will see five options. Select System Image Recovery.
The wizard will open. Click Select System Image.
Insert the system image USB drive and select it to start the recovery process.

Restore Windows 7 using the system repair disc:

If you’ve created a system repair disc, you’ll be able to repair Windows even if it won’t boot.

Insert a system recovery disc (USB or DVD).
Turn on your computer and press any key on your keyboard when prompted.
Select your language and click next.
Select “Repair your computer”.
Select the Windows you want to restore and select Restore your computer using a system image that you created earlier.
Follow the instructions on the screen.

1.2 Factory Resetting Windows 7 by Reformatting Your Computer

Reformatting means deleting everything on the system drive, including the operating system, and then installing a fresh copy of Windows on it. You will need a Windows installation USB or DVD to complete the following steps:

Insert your installation USB, DVD, or external hard drive to install Windows.
Turn on your laptop.
Press any key when prompted to boot from USB.
Select your language and click next.
Click the “Install Now”button.
Read and accept the license terms.
Select “Custom (Advanced)”for a clean install of Windows 7.
Select the drive where you want to install Windows.
The installer will show that all data on the drive will be lost. Confirm.
Windows installation will begin.

1.3 Restore your Windows 7 computer to factory conditions using HP Recovery Manager

HP laptops and computers come preinstalled with HP Recovery Manager, which can help you restore Windows 7 to factory settings. The success of this method depends on whether your system created a recovery partition with an image of your Windows 7.

To download HP Recovery Manager, turn on your laptop and press F11 every second during the boot process. (Some HP laptops require you to press ESC and F11.)
Select “System Restore”from the options.
Follow the instructions.

2. Factory Reset HP Notebook with Windows 8

Windows 8 was the first version of Windows with a factory reset feature.

2.1 Factory Reset HP Notebook Windows 8.1 in Settings

To reset an HP laptop running Windows 8.1, follow these steps:

Hover your mouse over the right corner of the screen to open launch options. Select “Settings”.
Select “Change PC settings”.
In the Settings window, select Update and Recovery.
Then select Recovery.
In the recovery settings, click the “Start”button under the “Remove everything and reinstall Windows”section. This will reset your Windows 8 by deleting your data.

The Restart Computer menu will open. Click ‘Next’.
On the next screen, select “Just delete my files”if you want to restart your Windows operating system, but the PC will remain for you. Also, select Completely Erase the Drive if you want to sell it or give it to someone else. This step takes longer because it prevents people from recovering your data when you sell the laptop.
Select Reset.

2.2 Factory reset Windows 8 and 8.1 if you can’t boot into Windows

Some issues can prevent Windows from loading. In this case, a reset might help you resolve the issue (when Startup Repair fails). Moreover, factory reset from the boot menu also works fine. Follow these steps:

Turn on your computer and when you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button to turn it off.
Repeat the above step.
Turn it on for the third time. Windows will now load automatic repair.
Once downloaded, select “Advanced Options”.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Restart Computer.

2.3 Restoring Windows 8 to factory settings using HP Recovery Manager

In Windows 8, the features of HP Recovery Manager are also powerful, and they can reset your computer. We will access HP Recovery Manager without booting Windows:

Turn on your HP laptop and press the F11 key once per second until a blue screen appears.
If it asks for a keyboard layout, select it.
You will see advanced Windows options. Select Troubleshoot.
Now select Recovery Manager.

Select the Windows for which you want to run the program.
In the “I need help immediately”section, select “System Restore”.

3. Reset your HP laptop running Windows 10 or 11.

The factory reset methods in Windows 10 and 11 are similar, so we’ll cover both in one section.

3.1 Factory Reset Windows 10 and 11 from Settings

The easiest way to reset your HP laptop with Windows 10 or 11 is through Settings.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery (for Windows 10).
Go to Settings > System > Recovery (for Windows 11).
Select the Reset this PC option.
This will open the option to reset PC. Choose what you want to remove. We are restoring factory settings, so select “Remove everything”. If you don’t want to delete your personal files and only want to delete apps and settings, select Keep My Files.
Select Local Reinstall. You don’t need an internet connection for this. However, if you want to get a system image over the Internet, choose Cloud Upload.

On the next screen, review what the reset will do. If you want to change something, click “Change settings”. Otherwise, select Next.
Check your selection and click the “Reset”button.

3.2 Factory reset an HP laptop running Windows 10 or 11 if you cannot boot

Turn on the laptop and press and hold the power button until the Windows logo appears.
Repeat the above step.
Turn on your computer. Windows will download automatic repair.
When you see the “Automatic Repair”blue screen, select “Advanced Options”.
Then select Troubleshoot.
Click Reset this PC.
To reset the settings, select Delete All.

Select Local Reinstall.
On the next screen, both options perform a factory reset for your Windows 10 or 11. Choose “Just delete my files”if you’re keeping the laptop, or choose “Completely clean drive”to delete everything if you’re selling or gifting the laptop. it’s for someone.
The next page will show your selection. Select Reset.

3.3 Restoring Windows 10 and 11 factory settings using HP Recovery Manager after logging in

HP laptops come with HP Recovery Manager, which is useful for many system tasks, including factory reset. If you can log into Windows, follow these steps:

Open the Start menu, type “HP Recovery Manager”and select the application.
Select Windows Recovery Environment.

This will restart your computer. Click OK.
On the blue screen, select Troubleshoot.
Then select Recovery Manager.
This will show you the option to backup your data. It is recommended that you complete this step by selecting “Back up your files first (recommended)”.

Select Auto Select if you want to select file types (images, spreadsheets, etc.). On the other hand, click “User Selection”to manually select folders and files.
This will create a backup of your selected files. After that, insert the USB and select it to save the backup.
After copying the backup to the USB drive, remove the USB drive and click “Next”in the wizard.
Now select “Restore without backing up files”.

It will show what happens if you execute this function. Select Next.
The recovery process will begin.
When it’s done, click “Continue”to restart your laptop.
The installer will now install the factory Windows image and default programs.
After restarting, set up your computer.

3.4 Factory Resetting Windows 10 and 11 Using HP Recovery Manager If You Can’t Boot

If you are unable to boot into Windows, restart your laptop in the following way:

Turn on the computer and press the F11 key until a blue screen appears.
Select a keyboard layout (if required).
After that, select “Troubleshoot”.
Select Recovery Manager.
When HP Recovery Manager opens, select System Restore.

It will ask if you want to backup your data. Select “Back up your files first (recommended)”.
In the file backup options, select “Automatic selection”if you want to select files with their types, and select “Manual selection”to manually select files and folders.
This will create a backup.
After that, you will be prompted to select the drive where you want to save the backup. Insert the USB stick and select it.
Click “Next”to save the backup.
When the backup is saved, remove the USB drive and click Next.
Now select “Restore without backing up files”.
This will show what will happen when you get better. Select Next.
The reset process will begin.
Follow the instructions on the screen.

3.5 Factory Reset Windows 10 and 11 Using HP Cloud Recovery Tool

If the above methods don’t work, you can reset your system files online using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool for your HP laptop or computer. If you are unable to boot to your HP computer, you may need another computer to obtain the HP Recovery Tool and save it to a USB drive. This tool currently supports HP products released in 2016 or later. Follow these steps:

Open the Microsoft Store, search for “HP Cloud Recovery Tool”and get the app. Or get the HP Cloud Recovery Tool from HP.

Insert the USB where you want to save the recovery files. It must be at least 32 or 64 GB.
Open it by clicking “Start”, typing “Cloud Recovery Tool”and selecting “Run as administrator”.
On the welcome screen, click Next.
It will check your internet connection and your HP product.
If it says “Product does not match or is invalid”, check the “I need to enter a product ID for my HP system”box.

Find your laptop’s product ID at the bottom of it, or open Start, type “system information”, select an app, and you’ll see a list of information about your system. Find the product ID next to “System WeU”.
After entering the product ID, click next.
Select your USB drive and click Next.
This will show that all information on the USB will be lost. Select OK.
The tool will now download and copy the necessary system recovery files to the USB drive.
After that select “Done”.
Reboot your laptop. If you were using another computer, turn it off.
Plug the USB into an HP laptop and plug in the charging cable.
Turn on the laptop and press the ESC key several times.
In the startup menu, press the F9 key.

Select the USB drive and press Enter.
This will take you to the system restore option.
First, select the option “Back up your files first (recommended)”, insert another USB drive and back up your files. Then remove this USB.
After that, select “Restore without File Backup”and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your HP laptop.

Conclusion

Restoring an HP laptop to factory settings is useful if you want to get rid of viruses or corrupted files. This is also done when you want to change the ownership of your laptop. Follow the steps above for the version of Windows installed on your PC.