As a last resort to fixing system issues on your HP laptop, you might consider bringing it back to its factory settings. Well, if that’s the case, then you would be glad you found this article. We will teach you how to factory reset an HP laptop running Windows 10. One of the methods will guide you through the steps needed when you cannot boot into your system normally. The other option will teach you how to reset your laptop when you can’t successfully log into it.
Method 1: Using Windows Settings to Factory Reset your HP Laptop
You can go to Windows Settings to factory reset your laptop. Of course, you will only be able to use this method when you can normally boot into your system. That said, here are the steps you must follow:
- On your keyboard, press Windows Key+S.
- Type “reset this PC” [no quotes], then press Enter.
- Go to the right pane, then select Get Started.
- You can choose to keep your files or remove everything.
- Click Keep My Files when you want to retain your personal files, apps, and customizations
- Click Next, then select Reset. Your operating system will be re-installed, and your computer will restart.
- You can select Remove Everything when you prefer getting rid of all your personal files, apps, and customization settings.
- You can opt to remove all the files from all your drives or just the drive where Windows is installed.
- You have the option to just remove your files or to delete them while cleaning the drive.
- Once you click Reset, the process will start. It may take a while for it to complete.
Method 2: Using Windows Recovery Environment to Factory Reset your HP Laptop
If you can’t normally boot into your HP laptop, you can use Windows Recovery Environment to factory reset your device. You can do that by following the instructions below:
- Turn off your HP laptop.
- Disconnect all external devices [printers, USB drives, etc.] from your computer.
- Remove all recently added internal hardware.
- Press the Power button to switch your HP laptop on.
- Once your unit starts booting, immediately press the F11 key. Repeatedly press it until you see the Choose an Option screen.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Choose Reset this PC.
- You can either opt to keep your files or to remove everything.
- Select Keep My Files when you want to retain your data. Once you click Reset, your operating system will be reinstalled. The process may take a while.
- Choose Remove Everything when you want to remove all your personal files.
- You can opt to remove everything solely on the drive where your operating system is installed. On the other hand, you can click All Drives when you do not want to retain any data.
- You can also fully clean the drive you selected or just remove your files.
- Click Reset.
Important Step after Factory Resetting your HP Laptop
Now that you have restored your HP laptop to its factory settings, the next thing you must do is ensure that you have the latest drivers for your operating system. You can manually update your drivers or automate the process, using a trusted tool like Auslogics Driver Updater. If you are not computer savvy, we recommend choosing the latter. After all, manually updating your drivers can be complicated, risky, and time-consuming. To give you an idea, let us show you the process.
- Press Windows Key+X on your keyboard. This should launch Device Manager.
- Now, you must go through all the drivers under every category. Make sure you expand the contents of each category to ensure that you won’t miss any drivers.
- Right-click the driver, then select Properties from the list.
- Go to the Driver tab, then click Update Driver.
- Choose the ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ option.
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“The best driver software for your device is already installed.”
If you see that notification, there is an additional process you must perform to ensure that all the correct drivers are installed on your computer. You must manually search for the latest driver versions on the manufacturer’s website. It is critical that you download the ones that are compatible with your system. If you happen to download the wrong drivers, you might cause more harm than good to your computer.
As we’ve mentioned, the process can get complicated and can consume a significant amount of your effort and time. So, why would you risk installing the incorrect drivers when you can choose the easy and safe option? When you opt for Auslogics Driver Updater, you won’t have to search for the necessary drivers for your computer. You won’t even have to update your drivers step by step. What’s more, this tool will effectively protect your PC from almost all the problems related to drivers.
By using Auslogics Driver Updater after factory resetting your HP laptop, you will see a significant improvement in the speed and performance of your computer. As a certified Microsoft Silver Application Developer, Auslogics only provides quality software that can meet the stringent expectations of any Windows users. Even if you are looking for something specific [like how to defrag drives].So, you can trust that Driver Updater has been proven to be safe and effective.
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Your HP laptop has probably served as a faithful companion. It’s likely that you’ve personalized your desktop just the way you like it, and installed every application you might ever have needed.
There may come a time, however, when you find it necessary to set your laptop back to its original factory settings.
Reasons to Reset a Laptop
Before we get to how to reset HP laptop to factory settings, you should consider why you would do so in the first place.
Perhaps the machine hasn’t been running as smoothly as it once did. There could also be conflicts that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Still, you might have decided to repurpose your laptop even give it away or sell it. All of these can be valid reasons to do a factory reset.
Factory Reset HP Laptop In Windows
Assuming there isn’t an issue that keeps you from logging into Windows, this can be a straight-forward [if not quick] solution.
Bring up the Option to Reset This PC
You can type reset or reset this PC in the search box on the taskbar.
Select Get Started
This option is found under Recovery.
Choose To Keep Your Files or Remove Everything
You will need to make an important decision here:
- Keep my files or Remove everything
If you plan to continue using this laptop, it may be wise to keep those files. On the other hand, you’ll likely purge everything if the machine is leaving your possession.
If so, make sure you’ve backed up anything you want to keep [important documents and pictures, for example].
Whichever selection you choose, follow the prompts and give Windows the details [what to remove, from where and so on] needed to finish the process.
Alternative to Logging into Windows
There is more than one way to reset your computer. If you cannot log into Windows for some reason, you can always boot into a recovery environment.
Press F11 While Booting Your Laptop
Start pressing F11 while the screen is blank. You may need to press this function key repeatedly.
Select Troubleshoot from the Options Screen
Choose Reset This PC
Click on Keep My Files or Remove Everything
Once again, follow the prompts to determine the details of what you’re removing and from where. After going through these options, confirm the reset and Windows will do the rest.
Reset HP Laptop to Factory Settings in BIOS
Aside from resetting Windows, it’s also possible that you’ve made prior changes in the BIOS of the HP laptop.
If you feel these are contributing to some problem in Windows – or you just want to restart everything from scratch. Either way, you can reset this to the factory defaults as well.
Hit the F10 Key During Boot Up
You may need to hit this key multiple times while the screen is black.
Hit the F9 Key from BIOS
Wait for the confirmation dialog and choose Yes.
Hit the F10 Key to Save Settings
This will prompt you to save and exit. Upon doing so, the machine will reboot.
Consider Updating Drivers for Improved Performance
You might have decided to do a factory reset because of your laptop’s performance. If you find that your mobile machine no longer seems to run as smoothly as it once had, there are other possibilities to consider.
Windows was designed to run on a diverse number of computers and interface with all sorts of hardware.
Every computer has devices, from your keyboard to a variety of Bluetooth devices [and so on]. This hardware requires code to allow the software on your machine to talk to it. This code is the device’s drivers.
Over time, these device drivers will require updating. Otherwise, issues will manifest themselves in many different forms.
Aside from trusting Windows to try and find the correct driver, you will want to either do it yourself or let professional software handle the task.
Manually Update Your Drivers
Assuming you have an idea on which drivers need to be updated, you’ll need to search the manufacturer’s website. You’ll need the model and/or the serial number of the device.
Once you locate the right one, you can go into the Window’s Device Manager and find the device.
Right-click on the device and choose Update driver.
Choose to Browse my computer for driver support.
Automate the Task of Keeping Drivers Current
There is always an easier choice. Software, such as Driver Support, can automate the task of finding and installing drivers for you.
Taking the guesswork out of the equation – as well as the time needed for updating multiple devices – can make it much easier to keep your laptop up to date.
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Automatic Driver Updates
Since 1996, Driver Support has been trusted to alleviate the pains of keeping those drivers current Upon running, Driver Support will inventory your computer for all active device types supported.
When you fully register the service, it will update any drivers that are out of date or missing. You can avoid the laborious task of locating each driver manually. Give Driver Support | ONE a try today! today for further assistance.
If drivers were a problem all along, you can reset your approach – instead of the laptop.