Factory resetting an HP laptop means you are restoring it to the state it was in when you bought it, in terms of software and hardware functionality. Factory resetting is sometimes necessary if you plan on selling your HP laptop, or if you’re experiencing technical problems with it and want to restore it to the way it was when you first purchased it from a store or online retailer. You should not factory reset your HP laptop if you have any private data stored on it, as this will be erased during the factory reset process.
Try fixing your computer yourself
The best way to get rid of viruses is by using antivirus software, but in some cases that may not be enough. In these instances, you can attempt a hard-reset to remove the infection. In order to perform this action you’ll need an installation CD for the operating system (if it’s not already installed). If it is installed, locate the installation CD. Once you have access to the BIOS screen (via F10) press F9 for Advanced Startup Options and select Repair Your Computer.
This will bring up System Recovery Options. You’ll then want to choose Command Prompt and type: bootrec /scans then bootrec /rebuildbcd
Now simply follow directions onscreen or when prompted via Command Prompt.
If the computer can’t be fixed, back up the data
If you’re planning to sell the computer or just experiencing problems, the first thing you should do is back up any files, photos, or other important data. You can back up with external hard drives that are connected via USB or use an online service such as iCloud. If there is no option for backing up with an external hard drive, you may be able to open File Explorer and look for where it stores files (e.g., C:/Users/%username%) and drag files from those locations onto the external hard drive. Next, you should delete all personal files and programs from the computer’s hard drive.
Factory Reset the computer
Press the power button. The power indicator light will turn off. Unplug the power cord from the computer and leave it unplugged for at least 5 minutes before plugging it back in. Re-power the laptop and allow it to finish booting up. As soon as you see the HP logo, release any key until the screen blanks again, then press F11 (indicating RESET). Press Enter. You’ll be asked if you want to fully initialize your device or enter BIOS setup utility – choose Yes and follow through with entering in your password, if prompted. Wait for Windows setup to complete successfully!
Restore from backup
The recovery partition needs to be wiped before you can sell the computer, so you’ll need an external hard drive for this process. Once you’ve got that, turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord and any other devices, including external hard drives and USB devices. Next, locate the Volume Up button on the top left of the keyboard. Press and hold it down until a screen pops up with two options: System Recovery or AOSD Setup. Select System Recovery, then follow through with whatever prompts come up in order to restore it back to its factory settings. You’ll know it’s working when all your data will have been wiped from your computer.
Sell, donate, or recycle
One of the easiest ways to sell or give away an old PC is to wipe it clean. Since recycling is the environmentally conscious choice, here’s how you can take back control and complete a safe factory reset with ease. To begin, make sure your computer’s battery is charged up and its plugged in before going any further. Next, boot into Windows by pressing either CTRL + ALT + DEL or restarting it completely by holding down SHIFT while tapping RESTART.
Finally, you can use the hard drive for storage (or backup), but before you get too excited about that prospect, make sure you don’t store anything important or sensitive information on it. The best way to ensure it’s truly erased is to put it in another computer that has no chance of being accessed remotely. You could also drop it off at a local recycler that accepts electronics like laptops and PCs as well. Once there, they’ll take care of destroying any data still stored on it and make sure none of it falls into anyone else’s hands. It will then be recycled with all other used computer parts by either being refurbished or sold overseas where some parts are worth more than others.