Cloud recovery tool

[DH139]

I have a HP 17.3 inch laptop PC 17-cn2283st.  It  was running W11-23H2 as shipped. It upgraded to 24H2. I need to test on 23H2, and when I tried to roll back it bricked.  I downloaded the cloud recovery on 8/3/2025.   It worked but installed W11 24H2 again. No GoBack is available thru settings

Is there a way to use the recovery USB to install W11-23H2?

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @DH139 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for the detailed info — you're in a tricky but not uncommon situation.

Quick Summary:

No, HP Cloud Recovery Tool will always install the original factory image, which in your case has now been updated by HP to Windows 11 24H2, so there's no way to force it to install 23H2 through that tool alone.

What You Can Do Instead

To install Windows 11 23H2 manually, follow these steps:

Option 1: Use Microsoft’s ISO for 23H2

Download the 23H2 ISO from a trusted source since Microsoft has removed the 23H2 ISO from their main download page as 24H2 is being rolled out.

• Use UUP Dump a Microsoft-based archive tool:
  • Go to: https://uupdump.net/
  • Search for Windows 11 23H2
  • Choose:
    • Edition: Windows 11 Home or Pro
    • Architecture: x64
    • Language: Your preferred language, for example English United States
  • Click Download and convert to ISO
  • Run the script it provides to build the ISO locally

Create a Bootable USB:

• Use Rufus https://rufus.ie to write the ISO to a USB stick
• Format it as GPT and NTFS for UEFI systems

Install Windows 11 23H2:

• Boot from the USB
• Do a clean install and format the partition if needed
• During setup, skip internet and login to prevent forced 24H2 updates

Optional: HP Drivers Post-Install

After clean installing 23H2:

• Visit HP’s support page for your laptop: 
• Download the latest drivers for chipset, graphics, Wi-Fi, audio, etc
• Or install HP Support Assistant to handle driver updates

You can install Windows 11 23H2 manually using the ISO via UUP Dump, then install drivers from HP afterward. This gives you a clean environment for your testing needs without using HP’s recovery tools.

Let me know if you'd like help building the ISO or setting up the USB — happy to walk through it side by side.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[DH139]

Thanks Hawks_Eye,

I got 23H2 installed this morning before seeing your post.

But I basically followed the same method except:

1. downloaded the installer from Archive.org.

2. Download went to the hard-drive, so I "mounted" it and ran from there

3. After the 23h2 install was done I made a recovery USB using the windows tools.

Thanks again

-DH

[Hawks_Eye]

@DH139 

You are Welcome!

Appreciate the follow-up, and well done navigating that process on your own. 

Using the ISO from Archive.org and mounting it locally is a solid workaround, especially now that Microsoft has shifted focus to 24H2. Creating a recovery USB afterward was a smart move — gives you a fallback if anything goes sideways later.

If you ever need help customizing that recovery image, slipstreaming drivers, or prepping for future updates, I’m here to assist. 

Sounds like you’ve got a good handle on things.

Stay fantastic, and have an amazing day ahead! 

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye