HP Spectre x360 13.5 inch 2-in-1 Laptop Recovery Drive

[cgzswatch]

Product: HP Spectre x360 13.5 inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC 14-ef2000
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 (64-Bit)

The hard disk of this laptop was broken and unrecoverable which was replaced recently. I do not have a recovery USB for this HP. Where can I download the Recovery drive to recover the operating system? Thanks for your assistance!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You can use the HP cloud recovery tool to make a bootable USB recovery drive that will install the original HP factory operating system, software and drivers on your notebook's drive.

Here is the link for how to use the utility.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive for this:

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

Since you have to use the utility on anther PC you will have to enter your notebook's product number in the tool's search window in order to proceed.

The problem is...the 771X2AV product number is for the entire model series consisting of over 100 individual model numbers/product numbers and you can see from the huge list below.

HP PartSurfer

If you have your notebook's serial number enter that in the search window and it should provide the exact product number of your notebook.

HP PartSurfer

Once you have that number you add a #ABU after it, for example:  849USEA#ABU

[cgzswatch]

Thank you, Paul. I followed the steps using my friend's China-made HP, but failed. HP Cloud Recovery Tool could not be downloaded in China. Do I have any alternative to solve this issue? Thank you. Best regards, Chen

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I have zipped up and attached the cloud recovery tool installation file below.

See if you can install and use it.

If not, your only other option would be to clean install W11 by making a bootable USB installation flash drive with the media creation tool from the link below:

Download Windows 11

Since your notebook has an Intel 13th gen core processor, you will need to load the Intel storage controller drivers so Windows can find the drive.

I zipped up and attached the Intel storage controller drivers below.

The attached file is good for both W10 & W11.

Copy all of the files in both folders in the attached file to a USB flash drive.

Have the flash drive and your Windows installation media plugged into USB ports.

Boot from the Windows installation flash drive.

When you get to the screen where no drives can be found, click on the Load driver option, browse to the flash drive with the storage controller drivers on it.

If you check the box, it will only include the compatible driver.

If Windows still can't find the drive, uncheck the box to include the compatible driver and try any of the ones listed.

Click Next, and Windows should install.

After W11 has completed installing, you can install the drivers and available software from your notebook's support page:

HP Spectre x360 13.5 inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC 14-ef2000 (771X2AV) Software and Driver Downloads | HP® S...

[cgzswatch]

Thanks, Paul, for your help.

I followed the instructions and nearly got there. However, I was stuck here as per the attached screenshot.

Please tell me where I can get the network adapter driver.

Best regards,

Chen

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Chen.

See this link for how to get past that issue and set up a local account.

How to bypass internet connection to install Windows 11 - Pureinfotech

Then you can install the Wi-Fi driver, which according to the info I can find is this one:

Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Drivers for Windows® 10 and Windows 11*

Now, if that that driver doesn't work, there will be a device in the device manager labeled as a Network Controller.

Find that device and post the hardware ID for it so I can figure out what model Wi-Fi adapter your notebook has and post the link to the correct driver.

Use this guide for how to find the hardware ID for a device:

How to Find Drivers for Unknown Devices in the Device Manager

Then if you want to switch to a Microsoft account you can do that in the account settings.

I always use a local account myself.

[cgzswatch]

Thanks, Paul, for your proposal, which helped me have the OS installed.

Best regards,

Chen

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Chen.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Cheers,

Paul