Recover Pre-installed Windows 10

[Rachel4615]

Hi,

For a university exam I had to install Ubuntu on my laptop. This laptop was purchased with pre-installed windows 10. I want to revert back to windows 10 but don't have any of the documents or receipts from my purchase. Is there any way to completely factory reset and get windows 10 back? Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

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

The product number can be found on the same label as the serial number.

Please do not post the serial number.

[Rachel4615]

HP Stream Notebook -11-d011na (ENERGY STAR)

PN: L2U07EA

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Your notebook originally came from HP with W8.1, so you must have upgraded to W10.

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c04556565

There is no recovery media to order for your model, so use the W10 media creation tool to reinstall W10 for free.

Create a bootable W10 USB flash drive installer by following the instructions.

If you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, select the 'I don't have a product key,' and W10 will install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

I recommend when you get to the part where you are asked, 'Where do you want to install Windows,' delete every partition on the hard drive, leaving just one partition of unallocated space.  That way you will have the maximum amount of drive space available on that tiny 32 GB eMMC drive.

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

After W10 installs, you can install the drivers and available software from the support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Stream-11-Notebook-PC/7372144/model/7639706

[Rachel4615]

Hi,

I knew this was an alternative, I was just hoping to get the original licensed product back. I guess I do not have any other option now as I had no idea my windows was updated from 8.1. Thank you for your help though!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you want to pay 34 quid for the W8.1 recovery media, you can order it from HP's e-partner at the link below.

https://www.best2serve.com/en-gb/page/rcd_hardware_related_products/#point

Then you can click on the blue Update Now button to upgrade back to W10.

Personally, I think that would be a tremendous waste of money.