HP Stream refuses to factory reset

[jonnya123]

Hello,

I have tried to factry reset my mini laptop, but it refuses to fulfil the command. I have gone through the f11 and start up. Chosen the options and the results have been as follows. 1. Not able to perform that task. 2. Not enough space, please free up space and try again (I have done this and it still does not do it). I have tried several options...and it refuses to perform the task.

I would like to know  how to factory reset the notebook... am I doing something wrong?

Thanks, Jon

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Jon:

If the factory reset option isn't working, the only suggestion I can offer, would be to clean install W10 as follows...

To reinstall W10...Use the Media Creation Tool.  Make the 64 bit installation media.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You can make a W10 USB flash drive installer using an 8 GB flash drive using another Windows PC, since your PC is not working.

W10 will find the product key in the BIOS, install and will automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

Here are the steps to create the W10 USB flash drive installer...

1. Select Download tool now, and select Run.
2. If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

4. Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10. You want 64 bit.

5. Select which media you want to use:
6. USB flash drive.  Plug in a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.

Then you can install the drivers and available software from the PC's support page.

I suggest during the intial part of the install, that you delete all of the partitions on the drive and just have one partition so you can maximize the drive space.

Here is a nice tutorial another forum member wrote to maximize the drive space even more...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/HP-Stream-11-2017/m-p/6844056#...

[jonnya123]

Thanks for your reply. Really appreciated I'm currently in the process of installing from the flash drive. Its asking for more space on the c drive and 10gb of external storeage. Should i attach a external hard drive?

Thanks Jon.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Jon:

Don't you have the option to first delete partitions before trying to install?

This would be the next window you come to in the process after you select the language.

See this screenshot...click on the red Delete icon and delete all of the partions on the C:\ drive.

[jonnya123]

Thanks again for your reply. At the stage you mention there is no option to delete a partition. Can I delete it before I start the installation process? Also what other options are there please? Thanks, Jon.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Jon:

That is very strange.

That is the only place I know of where you have that option.

I guess you can always use a 3rd party drive utility and make a bootable USB installer, delete the partitions that way.

https://www.easeus.com/partition-master/bootable-format-tool.html

[jonnya123]

Hi Paul,

I'm attempting to reinstall again. I will use your link you mentioned. Just before I do, is it possible to delete the partition on the c drive (before I enter the usb process) before I start the new boot option.

Thanks, Jon. 🙂

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Jon:

No it isn't possible.

You ether have to delete the partitions by clicking on the red X delete icon in that screenshot I posted (which you said doesn't exist after you select Install Now), you would have to use a 3rd party bootable disk utility to delete the partitions first.

[jonnya123]

Ok thank you, I will do that now. Jon.

[jonnya123]

Sorry to be so inept with pc's but at what stage do I use the 3rd party bootable partition erase tool. Do I open while using the media creation tool?

Also which drive do I delete. A sreen cap is attached from last link you gave me. Thanks.