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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
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×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
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A factory reset REFORMATS the primary drive -- which renders the files now "unseen" by Windows -- but it does not actually REMOVE the files. They are still there, for the most part, just not "seen" by Windows.
The problem is every time you use the computer, it writes files to the drives and over time, it will overwrite ALL these files, since they are now marked as free space. So, even with good software, file recovery is not guaranteed.
You will also need to remove the drive and connect it to a working PC -- to stop Windows from overwriting the file space.
You will have to BUY file recovery software, as there are no Free versions that are any good. The best tool out there is this one, but only the demo version is free:
https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm
Good Luck
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP
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