How to factory reset a laptop without the windows media

[YorkshireBill]

I have upgraded my HP Pavillion to a HP Inspiron and want to sell on my old machine. It has Windows 8.1 pre installed and I have no Windows disc or media. When I go through the process to do a factory reset it asks for the Windows Installation media to be inserted and I can't get past that point. Any suggests on how to do a Factory reset without any media??

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What is the full model number or product number of your notebook?

Use this guide to find that information...please do not post the serial number.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

You probably won't be able to factory reset the PC but I will give you a way to clean install W8.1.

[YorkshireBill]

Hi Paul

Its a HP Pavillion 15 Notebook 15-e072sa (according to the sticker on the box)

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

You are right...That model originally came with W8 and that OS was never available for download.

So what you can do is this...

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC...You want W8.1 64 bit. 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

Only if you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'standard.'

 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

Since you are selling the notebook, what I recommend is when you get to the part of the installation that asks 'Where do you want to install Windows,' delete every partition on the drive, leaving just one partition of unallocated space.

Click next, and W8.1 should install.

I would set up a generic user name with no password, and the buyer can easily change the user name to one of their choosing and they can create a Windows password in the PC settings menu.

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 'standard' key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so it is bootable.

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

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-15-Notebook-PC-series/5355006/model/539...

You can no longer order recovery media for your notebook from HP or their ePartner Best2Serve, so the above method would be your only option to get your personal data off the notebook and reinstall the OS.

[YorkshireBill]

Thank you Paul

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.