How to Reset HP Laptop to Factory Settings

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.

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 DriverSupport | ONE a try today!  today for further assistance.

If drivers were a problem all along, you can reset your approach – instead of the laptop.