The two ways to reset your HP computer

HP computers can be reset to factory settings in two ways: using Windows built-in reset tool (called Reset this PC) or using HP's own recovery partition if Windows no longer starts. Reset this PC is faster and works when your computer still boots. The recovery partition is your backup when Windows won't load or when you want to restore the exact software HP shipped with the machine.

Both methods erase everything on your hard drive—all files, programs, and settings—and return the computer to the state it left the factory. You cannot undo a reset once it starts, so back up any files you want to keep before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • Reset this PC (built into Windows) is the fastest method and works on any HP computer that can still start up and reach the desktop.
  • You must back up all your files before starting a reset, because the process erases everything on the drive.
  • HP's recovery partition is a separate option if Windows will not start, but not all HP models have one—check your manual or HP's support site first.
  • A reset takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your hard drive speed and whether you choose to fully clean the drive.
  • After reset, you will need to reinstall any programs you use and sign back into your Microsoft account or create a new Windows user.

Resetting through Windows when your HP computer still starts

If your computer boots and reaches the desktop, use the Windows Reset this PC tool. This is the standard method and works on all HP computers running Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then press Enter. In the Settings window, select System from the left menu, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Recovery options," you will see a button labeled Reset this PC. Click it.

Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose Remove everything to perform a full factory reset. You will then see two options: Local reinstall (faster, uses files already on your drive) or Cloud read (slower, downloads Windows fresh from Microsoft). Local reinstall is usually sufficient unless your Windows installation is corrupted.

Windows will show you a summary of what will happen, then ask you to confirm. Once you click the final confirmation button, the reset begins and you cannot stop it. The process typically takes 30 minutes to two hours. Your computer will restart several times during this period.

Using HP's recovery partition if Windows will not start

If your computer will not boot into Windows, you may be able to use HP's built-in recovery partition. Not all HP models include one—older machines and some budget models do not. Check your computer's manual or visit HP's support website for your specific model number to confirm whether a recovery partition exists.

To access the recovery partition, restart your computer and when ready begin pressing the Esc key repeatedly (about once per second) as it powers on. You should see a menu appear with options including "System Recovery" or "Troubleshoot." The exact wording varies by HP model. Select the recovery option.

HP's recovery tool will walk you through the reset process. It typically offers the same choice as Windows: keep files or remove everything. For a factory reset, choose to remove everything. The recovery partition will then reinstall the original HP software image, which takes 45 minutes to two hours depending on your drive speed.

If pressing Esc does not work, try pressing F11 instead—some HP models use that key to reach recovery. If neither key works, your computer may not have a recovery partition, and you will need to use a Windows installation USB drive or contact HP support.

Creating a backup before you reset

Before starting any reset, move any files you want to keep to an external drive, cloud storage, or another computer. A reset erases your entire hard drive, including documents, photos, downloads, and any other personal files.

The fastest way to back up is to connect an external USB drive and copy your Documents, Pictures, Downloads, and Desktop folders to it. If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, make sure those folders have synced completely before you reset—check that the sync status shows "all files synced" or similar.

If you have programs you paid for (not free software from the Microsoft Store), note down their names and product keys before you reset. You will need to reinstall them after the reset completes, and some programs require a key to set up again.

What happens after the reset finishes

When the reset completes, your HP computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will need to create a new user account or sign in with a Microsoft account. If you have a Microsoft account, signing in will restore some settings like your wallpaper and browser bookmarks, but not your files or installed programs.

After setup finishes, you will have a clean Windows installation with no personal files or third-party programs. Windows itself and HP's pre-installed utilities (like HP Support Assistant) will be present. You will need to reinstall any other programs you use, such as Microsoft Office, Chrome, or Zoom.

If you backed up your files, you can now copy them back from your external drive or cloud storage. Restore them to your Documents or Pictures folder so they appear in the right places.

When to call HP support instead

If your computer will not start at all—no lights, no fan noise, no display—a reset will not help. Contact HP support or take the computer to a repair shop, because the problem is likely hardware-related.

If you press Esc or F11 during startup and see no recovery menu, and Windows will not start either, your computer may not have a recovery partition or the partition may be damaged. In that case, you can create a Windows installation USB drive on another computer and use it to reinstall Windows, but that process is more complex. HP support can walk you through it or provide a recovery USB drive for a fee.

If you reset your computer and Windows installation becomes corrupted again shortly after (repeated crashes, error messages, or failure to start), the problem may be a failing hard drive rather than software. Contact HP support to discuss hardware diagnostics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop a reset once it has started?

No. Once you confirm the reset in the final dialog, the process cannot be stopped. Do not turn off your computer during a reset, as this can damage Windows or your hard drive. Let it run to completion, even if it takes two hours.

Will a reset remove viruses or malware?

Yes. A full factory reset erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows, so any viruses or malware are removed. However, if you restore files from a backup that contained malware, you may reinfect the computer. Scan any backed-up files with antivirus software before restoring them.

Do I need a product key to reset my HP computer?

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 are tied to your hardware, so you do not need to enter a product key during reset. Windows will reactivate automatically after the reset completes.

What if I forget my password before resetting?

You can still reset your computer without knowing your password. When you click Reset this PC, Windows will ask for confirmation but does not require you to log in first. If you cannot reach Settings, restart and press Esc or F11 to access the recovery partition instead.

How much free space do I need to reset my computer?

You need at least 10 to 15 gigabytes of free space on your hard drive for Windows to complete the reset. If your drive is nearly full, delete large files or programs before you start, or connect an external drive and move files to it.