The original os was Windows 8. Have upgraded to 10.

[Gruntfuttock02]

When I brought the laptop it was Windows 8 but I have upgraded to windows 10. If I now do a recovery usb will it take me back to windows 8 or windows 10. If it takes me back to windows 8 will I be able to upgrade again for free?

Thanks

Neil

[WAWood]

@Gruntfuttock02 

I don't know what you mean by "do a recovery usb".

If you mean CREATE one, that will not work -- because the Upgrade to Win10 is known to corrupt the HP Recovery information, and that has to be intact in order for the Recovery USB creation process to work properly.  It may appear to work, but it will be flawed.

If you mean USE one, that you had previously created PRIOR to the Win 10 Upgrade, then it will return your PC to its original OS and condition.

[Gruntfuttock02]

So any idea how to make a recovery disk that will return this computer to a clean windows 10 because I believe you have to pay for the upgrade now.

Thanks

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Gruntfuttock02 

You can't "return it" to Win10 because it did not come with that originally.

What you CAN do is reinstall Win10 -- and you do that using Win10 install media you create by running this Microsoft tool:  Windows 10 download

Since the PC was already running Win10, it has been registered with Microsoft.  So, when you get to the window to enter the product key, choose the optin to skip that.  Once the PC gets back online, it will recontact Microsoft and reactivate Win10.