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- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Boot and Lockup
- Not able to reset the laptop using usb boot

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03-04-2025 12:28 PM
Hey,
I recently got HP Laptop from donation drive, it was a locked laptop so I want to reset it. I tried resetting using USB Boot. But as it was asking for recovery key, which I don't have. I saw many windows followed a yt video steps to format C drive using CMD. But Now I am not able to Boot the laptop using USB, Whenever I select boot using USB and connect USB, the screen drives to Not able to Find Driver. I am not to skip and move back from that page.
03-08-2025 09:59 AM
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
It sounds like the laptop had BitLocker enabled, which is why it asked for a recovery key. After formatting the C drive, the system is likely missing critical boot files, and now Windows setup can't find the necessary drivers.
Check if the USB is Bootable
- Use another working PC to verify the USB.
- If you have access to another Windows PC:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
diskpart
list disk
select disk X (Replace X with your USB number)
clean
exit - Use Rufus or Windows Media Creation Tool to create a new bootable USB.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
Change BIOS Settings
- Power on the laptop and enter BIOS (Press F10 on HP boot logo).
- Check if Secure Boot is enabled; if yes, disable it.
- Ensure Legacy Boot (CSM Mode) is enabled.
- Change Boot Order to prioritize USB.
Try Loading Drivers Manually
- When the "Can't Find Drivers" error appears, unplug the USB drive and reinsert it into another USB port.
- If that doesn't work, download HP storage drivers from another PC and place them on the USB drive.
- Select "Browse for drivers" and point to the USB to load them.
Reset the BIOS
- Restart the laptop and enter BIOS (F10).
- Look for "Reset BIOS to Default" or "Load Optimized Defaults" and apply it.
Try Another USB Port
- If using a USB 3.0 port, try a USB 2.0 port instead.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
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Hawks_Eye
HP Support
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