How To Reset HP Laptop To Factory Settings

In this post, you can know about How To Reset HP Laptop To Factory Settings easily. HP Pavilion is a line of consumer-oriented laptop and desktop computers produced by HP Inc. It was introduced in 1995 by erstwhile Hewlett-Packard.

In 1995, HP introduced the Pavilion PC, an IBM-compatible computer of the desktop type, which marked the company’s introduction into the home-computing market. Dave Packard published The HP Way, a book which chronicled the rise of Hewlett-Packard and gave consumers insight into its business practices, culture and management style. HP also produced a low-cost, high-speed infrared transceiver that allowed wireless data exchange in a range of portable computing applications; these included telephones, computers, printers, cash registers, automatic teller machines, and digital cameras.

Reasons to Reset a Laptop

Before we get to how to reset HP laptop to factory settings, you should consider why you would do so in the first place.

Perhaps the machine hasn’t been running as smoothly as it once did. There could also be conflicts that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Still, you might have decided to repurpose your laptop, even give it away or sell it. All of these can be valid reasons to do a factory reset.

Factory Reset HP Laptop In Windows

Assuming there isn’t an issue that keeps you from logging into Windows, this can be a straight-forward (if not quick) solution.

• Bring up the Option to Reset This PC

• You can type reset or reset this PC in the search box on the taskbar.

• Select Get Started

• This option is found under Recovery.

• Choose To Keep Your Files or Remove Everything

If you plan to continue using this laptop, it may be wise to keep those files. On the other hand, you’ll likely purge everything if the machine is leaving your possession.

If so, make sure you’ve backed up anything you want to keep (important documents and pictures, for example).

Whichever selection you choose, follow the prompts and give Windows the details (what to remove, from where and so on) needed to finish the process.

Alternative to Logging into Windows

There is more than one way to reset your computer. If you cannot log into Windows for some reason, you can always boot into a recovery environment.

• Press F11 While Booting Your Laptop

Start pressing F11 while the screen is blank. You may need to press this function key repeatedly.

• Select Troubleshoot from the Options Screen

• Choose Reset This PC

• Click on Keep My Files or Remove Everything

Once again, follow the prompts to determine the details of what you’re removing and from where. After going through these options, confirm the reset and Windows will do the rest.

Reset HP Laptop to Factory Settings in BIOS

Aside from resetting Windows, it’s also possible that you’ve made prior changes in the BIOS of the HP laptop.

If you feel these are contributing to some problem in Windows – or you just want to restart everything from scratch. Either way, you can reset this to the factory defaults as well.

• Hit the F10 Key During Boot Up

You may need to hit this key multiple times while the screen is black.

• Hit the F9 Key from BIOS

• Wait for the confirmation dialog and choose Yes.

• Hit the F10 Key to Save Settings

• This will prompt you to save and exit. Upon doing so, the machine will reboot.

Consider Updating Drivers for Improved Performance

You might have decided to do a factory reset because of your laptop’s performance. If you find that your mobile machine no longer seems to run as smoothly as it once had, there are other possibilities to consider.

Windows was designed to run on a diverse number of computers and interface with all sorts of hardware.

Every computer has devices, from your keyboard to a variety of Bluetooth devices (and so on). This hardware requires code to allow the software on your machine to talk to it. This code is the device’s drivers.

Over time, these device drivers will require updating. Otherwise, issues will manifest themselves in many forms.

Aside from trusting Windows to try and find the correct driver, you will want to either do it yourself or let professional software handle the task.

Manually Update Your Drivers

Assuming you have an idea on which drivers need to be updated, you’ll need to search the manufacturer’s website. You’ll need the model and/or the serial number of the device.

• Once you locate the right one, you can go into the Window’s Device Manager and find the device.

• Right-click on the device and choose Update driver.

• Choose to browse my computer for driver support.

Automate the Task of Keeping Drivers Current

There is always an easier choice. Software, such as Driver Support, can automate the task of finding and installing drivers for you.

Taking the guesswork out of the equation – as well as the time needed for updating multiple devices – can make it much easier to keep your laptop up to date.

How to Reset a HP Laptop Without Recovery CD’s

Newer HP laptops do not come with recovery discs. In these situations, the recovery partition installed by the manufacturer is your friend, making the process of resetting an HP laptop without recovery discs super simple.

A recovery partition is a hidden section of your hard drive that securely stores a complete copy of the Windows operating system, drivers, and all required programs to make your HP laptop work. In short, HP took a recovery disc and created a digital copy of it directly on your hard drive, knowing at some point you would need to refresh or recover your laptop to the exact state it was in the first day you took it out of the box.

As you follow the steps below, please note the amount of time it takes for the recovery process to finish will depend on your computer processor speed, memory, and a few other factors that vary by make/model. Likewise, the Recovery Manager may have a slightly different look, feel, or order of operations as well. Let’s focus on how to reset HP laptop without restore discs:

• Backup any data you do not want to lose. This will probably include your entire User folder that contains documents, photos, music, and video. Most Recovery Managers offer a backup option, but it is always a good idea to perform a backup ahead of time, possibly to a USB drive or cloud solution like Dropbox.
• Take an inventory of the programs you have installed on your HP laptop, and any special settings like screen resolution and font size.
• Make sure your power adapter is plugged in and charging your laptop. Also check your internet connection to ensure it is active.
• Turn on or restart your HP laptop and repeatedly press “F11” to boot into the Recovery Manager. For some computers, you may need to press another F-key. As the laptop boots up, take notice of the bottom left/right corners for indication of the right key to press, etc. If you do not see the recovery message, you may need to enable it in your BIOS, or, your laptop may not have a recovery partition. In this case, you may need to contact the manufacturer.
• Now that you are in the Recovery Manager, select “System Recovery” from the “I Need Help Immediately” section in the left pane. Click “Back Up Your Files (Recommended)” and select “Next”. You already took a backup in Step 1, but it doesn’t hurt to have an extra backup just in case.
• From here, simply follow the onscreen prompts to finish the HP laptop factory reset and setup Windows. The entire process will take around an hour. During refresh, your laptop will restart several times. Do not turn off the power or interrupt the process in any way until you see a message indicating the restore is complete.

Resetting an HP Laptop With Recovery CD’s

Some older laptops come with recovery discs. If you have your original HP manufacturer recovery discs, resetting your HP laptop will be a cinch. Follow steps 1 – 3 above, then:

• Insert the recovery disc into your CD drive and restart your computer
• The HP Recover Manager will eventually display on the screen
• Click the “System Recovery” link, then “Factory Reset”
• You will then be prompted to back up your files, which is highly recommended. Follow the onscreen instructions to archive your files
• The HP factory reset process will start and may take a while to complete. You may be asked to insert additional restore discs as the process enters each phase. Follow the onscreen instructions accordingly until you receive the “Restoration Complete” screen. Click “Finish”. Your computer will now restart and the Windows Setup Process will now be displayed.