Restore disk partitions to factory defaults (HP_TOOLS, etc)

[usernamexists]

Hello,

I want to ask if there any way to restore previously formated disk (now installed Windows 10) to factory defaults with HP partitions with tools and recovery options F11, etc.

Thank you.

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@usernamexists

Presuming the original HP Recovery partition is still intact, then pressing F11 should start the HP Recover Manager and that should then allow you to do a factory reset.

If that partition is not intact, then your only recourse will be to purchase HP Recovery Media ...

HP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, another site you can check is: http://www.computersurgeons.com

When you get the media, if it is a USB stick, insert it into your PC, pressing F9 to get a Boot menu, then select the External USB Hard Drive to boot from it.

[usernamexists]

Can I create myself this bootable USB stick with HP recovery manager? And then use this USB to boot and restore my HDD to default partitions?

Thanks.

[WAWood]

@usernamexists

In theory. yes -- as the HP Recovery Manager allows you to make Recovery Media using a USB stick.

But, that does not always work, and it it fails, it will not allow you to attempt it a second time.

And, it requires that the Recovery partition be intact because it gets its files from there.

[usernamexists]

Okey. What I have now is Windows 10 installed on previously owned laptop. I installed my SSD and then installed Windows 10 (previously using Microsoft Media Creation Tool to create an image) to my SSD. Because it's a digital license (activation by hardware, probably motherboard) Windows 10 automatically activated when got online. Windows 10 created 4 different partitions. But the problem is, I can't access to F11 menu because I've used my own SSD.

I don't think this is a big problem (unless Microsoft decide to remove digital license for any reason). But having option to restore your system with a push of a button, when you can't load to the system, is convinient.