Cannot reset HP Envy laptop

[Jeff_2025]

I have a new HP Envy lptop, and a recent software addition seems to have destroyed my ability to manually check for updates. I spent half of yesterday looking for solutions, and none of them work. Most people suggested simply resetting my laptop. That, however, also will not work. I've tried 16 times, utilizing a different solution each time. I just ran the UEFI extensive system diagnosis, and everything passed. I'm ready to format the hard drive and install a rather expensive copy of Win 11 Pro, but I'd rather not since I already paid for the laptop, which came with Win 11 Home.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

There is no reason to buy W11 Pro if you are happy with W11 Home.

The Windows W11 Home product key is encrypted in your notebook's BIOS.

Make a bootable USB installation flash drive with the W11 media creation tool from the link below (2nd option).

Download Windows 11

Boot from the installation media, install W11 (it won't even ask for a product key) and it will automatically install W11 Home and then activate after you are connected to the internet.

Your PC should also be supported by the HP cloud recovery tool which you can use to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall Windows, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility:

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Support

You can download the software from the Microsoft Store:

HP Cloud Recovery Tool - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store

[Jeff_2025]

Hi, Paul -

Thanks for your quick and excellent response. I just completed the downloads, and I hope I can get things working again soon.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.