Factory reset for trade-in, without Windows reinstalled - how?

[BGG825]

I am preparing my hp pavilion Windows 10 laptop for trade-in. I've gone through the factory reset a couple of times, but each time, it would automatically reinstall windows. Is it possible to not reinstall Windows when doing a factory reset? if so, how would I do that?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Sounds to me like you are just resetting Windows with the built in Windows recovery program.

Resetting Windows gives you two options:

Reset and keep files and settings.

Reset and remove everything.

The HP recovery manager software is probably gone and if there is a HP recovery partition labeled as drive D/ it won't work without the recovery manager software.

If there is nothing like that, you will have to live with the Windows option of resetting Windows and removing everything.

The only place I know of where you can order the HP factory image that came with your notebook would be from this vendor at the link below:

https://www.computersurgeons.com/p-27941-windows-10-home-1b-recovery-kit-856249-001-for-hp-pavilion-... 

[BGG825]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your reply.

I reset the PC and removed all files. I had already backed up my data. I am trading in the device and for that trade-in, the requirement was to do a factory reset. It doesn't need Windows installed on it for the trade-in. The reinstallation of Windows happens automatically, so I'm wondering how do I stop or avoid the reinstall of Windows?  

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome. 

Factory resetting the notebook reinstalls Windows. 

There's no way around that.

[BGG825]

Okay. Thank you, again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.