I got a used HP pavilion and I'm trying to do a factory reset and I can't figure out how

[Zero420]

I have a used computer someone sold me and I'm trying to get a factory reset done on it and it's not working. Wat can I do to fix this 

[Raj_05]

Hi @Zero420,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

To factory reset your used HP Pavilion computer, follow these steps.

For Windows 10/11

Backup Your Data: If there are any important files, make sure to back them up to an external drive or cloud storage.

Access Settings:

• For Windows 10: Click the Start button, then select Settings (the gear icon). Go to Update & Security and then select Recovery.
• For Windows 11: Click the Start button, then select Settings. Go to System and then select Recovery.

Initiate Reset:

• Under the Reset this PC section, click Get started.
• Choose Remove everything for a full factory reset. This option will remove all your files, apps, and settings.

Follow On-Screen Instructions: Windows will guide you through the rest of the process. The system may restart several times during the reset.

Using HP Recovery

If the above method doesn’t work or if you prefer using HP’s recovery partition:

Power Off the computer.

Turn On the computer and immediately press the F11 key repeatedly until the HP Recovery Manager opens.

Choose System Recovery.

Select Factory Reset or Recover. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Wait for the Reset: The computer will restart and begin the factory reset process. This may take some time.

Alternate Method (If Recovery Partition is Missing)

If the HP recovery partition is missing or corrupted, you might need to create a recovery USB drive or reinstall Windows from scratch:

Create a Windows Installation Media:

• Go to the Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool.
• Use it to create a bootable USB drive with Windows installation files.

Boot from USB Drive:

• Insert the USB drive into your HP Pavilion.
• Restart the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing F10 (or another key depending on your model).
• Set the USB drive as the first boot device and save changes.

Install Windows:

• Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows. Choose the Custom installation option and delete all existing partitions during the setup to ensure a clean install.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support