Hard Drive Crashed, need my windows 10 back

[GotInfluence]

HP ProBook 440 G4

I bought a new hard drive, but how do I get Windows 10 Pro back, without paying for it? Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You can use the cloud recovery client from your notebook's support page.

This package provides the Cloud Recovery Client for supported models running a supported operating system. This Client Utility enables users to download the Recovery Kit from the cloud.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp85001-85500/sp85318.exe

I attached the instructions below for how to use the utility...

[GotInfluence]

You gave directions for a computer with an OS on it. Read my message here;

I bought a new hard drive, but how do I get Windows 10 Pro back, without paying for it? Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

I understood your orginal message.

Perhaps I assumed too much...That you would know that you would need to create the cloud recovery media from another Windows PC.

You can also do this if you prefer...using another Windows PC...

You can clean install W10 by making W10 installation media using the media creation tool at the link below.

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

You can create a USB installation flash drive.  You will need an 8 GB flash drive for this.

W10 will install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

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

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-probook-440-g4-notebook-pc/10477248

 ...and I just noticed that we have gone through this drill before...that you already created the cloud recovery media, I told you how to boot from it, and you never replied back.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/Laptop-Hacked-Need-to-re-instal...

So you now have two free options for reinstalling W10.

Good luck.

[GotInfluence]

That did it!

Thanks a ton, Paul.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[GotInfluence]

Paul, question (please let me know if I should post this separately) on SSD configuration.

Someone got software on my laptop. I found out when I was using it and someone began clicking through my files.

That's why I tried to re-intall Windows. However, I didn't remove it.

The SSD has 3 partitions and I can't delete or merge D & E, thinking this is where the software resides.

C (This PC)

D with 16.5 GB 48.9MB used.

E with 2GB, 15.9MB used.

When I tried to eliminate D & E by right clicking, only (help) pops up.

Is there a way to re-configure this? Or is it possibly something in the BIOS?

Thanks,
Dan

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Dan:

Unfortunately, I don't know what to do about that.

I just looked at the disk management tool on the PC I'm using now, and got the same thing you did.

I suppose you can always boot up the media creation tool W10 and try deleting the partitions using that.

Then cancel out of the installation process.

[GotInfluence]

Will try that. And will post this and see what additional brainpower is in the community.

Thanks,
Dan

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Dan.