How to Restore Your HP Computer to Factory Settings

What restoring your HP computer means and when to do it

Restoring your HP computer returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory — all your files, programs, and settings are removed, and the operating system is reinstalled fresh. This is different from a restart (which just reboots the machine) or a backup (which saves your files first). A restore wipes the drive clean.

You should restore when your computer has become slow or unstable after months of use, when malware has infected it and antivirus tools have not removed it completely, when you are selling or giving away the machine, or when Windows itself has become corrupted and will not start properly. If your computer is running fine, you do not need to restore it — restoring is a last resort, not routine maintenance.

Before you start, understand that restoring erases everything on your computer's main drive. Back up any files you want to keep — photos, documents, downloads — to an external drive or cloud storage first. Once you start the restore process, those files are gone.

Key Takeaways

HP computers running Windows 10 or 11 have a built-in reset tool called Reset this PC, found in Settings under System.
You can choose to keep your files and remove only programs and settings, or erase everything and reinstall Windows completely.
The restore process takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your computer's speed and which option you choose.
Back up all your files to an external drive or cloud storage before you begin, because the process cannot be undone.
If your computer will not start, you can restore it from the Windows recovery screen by restarting and pressing a specific key during startup.

How to restore a Windows 10 HP computer using Reset this PC

The easiest way to restore most HP computers is through the Reset this PC tool built into Windows. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to System, then scroll down and click Recovery on the left side.

Under "Reset this PC," click the blue "Reset PC" button. Windows will ask whether you want to keep your files or remove everything. Choose "Remove everything" if you want a complete factory restore. Choose "Keep my files" if you only want to remove programs and settings but preserve your documents and photos — though this is not a true factory restore.

Windows will then ask where to reinstall from: "Cloud read" or "Local reinstall." Cloud read downloads a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft's servers, which takes longer but is more reliable if your Windows installation is corrupted. Local reinstall uses the copy already on your computer, which is faster but may not fix corruption problems. If your computer is running but unstable, cloud read is the safer choice.

Click Next, review the warning that all your files will be erased (if you chose "Remove everything"), and click Reset. Your computer will restart and begin the restore process. Do not turn off the computer or unplug it during this time — let it run until it finishes, which usually takes 30 minutes to two hours.

Restoring from the Windows recovery screen when your computer will not start

If your HP computer will not start Windows normally, you can still restore it using the recovery screen. Restart your computer and watch the screen carefully. As soon as you see the HP logo or a message saying "Press F11 for recovery" or "Press ESC for startup menu," press that key repeatedly until a menu appears.

Different HP models use different keys — common ones are F11, ESC, F2, or F10. If you are not sure which key your model uses, look up your specific HP model number on HP's support website and search for "recovery key" or "restore key." The model number is usually on a sticker on the bottom or back of your computer.

Once the recovery menu opens, look for an option like "System Recovery," "Restore," or "Reset this PC." Follow the on-screen prompts, choose whether to keep files or erase everything, and let the process run to completion. This method works even if Windows will not load, because the recovery tools are stored in a separate partition on your hard drive.

Using HP Recovery Manager if Reset this PC does not work

Some older HP computers come with a program called HP Recovery Manager instead of the standard Windows reset tool. To find it, press the Windows key and type "Recovery Manager." If the program appears in the search results, click it to open it.

HP Recovery Manager walks you through the restore process step by step. It will ask you to confirm that you want to erase your computer and reinstall Windows, then it will do the work automatically. The process is similar to Reset this PC but with HP's own interface.

If Recovery Manager is not installed on your computer, you can read it from HP's support website. Go to hp.com/support, enter your computer's model number, and search for "Recovery Manager." read the version for your operating system (Windows 10 or 11), install it, and run it.

What to do after your HP computer has been restored

When the restore finishes, your computer will restart and show the Windows setup screen. You will need to create a user account or sign in with a Microsoft account, choose your language and keyboard layout, and connect to Wi-Fi. This takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Once you are at the desktop, your computer is restored to factory condition. All the programs that came with your HP (like HP Support Assistant or HP Quickweb) will be reinstalled. Any programs you installed yourself are gone and must be reinstalled from their original installers or from the Microsoft Store.

Restore your files from the backup you made before you started. If you backed up to an external drive, plug it in, open File Explorer, and copy your files back to your Documents, Pictures, or Downloads folder. If you backed up to cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive, sign in to your account and read your files.

Install any programs you need — Microsoft Office, antivirus software, web browsers, or other tools. Your computer is now clean and running like new, but it is also empty until you add back the programs and files you use.

When to call HP support instead of restoring yourself

If your HP computer will not start and you cannot access the recovery screen even after pressing the recovery key repeatedly, the hard drive may be failing or the recovery partition may be corrupted. In this case, restoring yourself is not possible, and you should contact HP support or take the computer to a repair shop.

If you have a very old HP computer (more than 10 years old), it may not support Windows 10 or 11 and may not have a recovery partition. HP support can tell you whether your model can be restored and what your options are.

If you are not comfortable with the restore process or you are worried about losing files, HP support can walk you through it over the phone or help you back up your files first. HP's support number is on your computer's documentation or on hp.com/support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restoring my HP computer remove viruses and malware?

Yes, a complete restore (choosing "Remove everything") will remove all viruses and malware because it erases the entire hard drive and reinstalls Windows from scratch. However, if you choose "Keep my files," malware in your documents or downloads folder may remain. For a computer with a serious infection, always choose "Remove everything."

How long does an HP restore take?

A typical restore takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on your computer's speed and whether you choose cloud read or local reinstall. Cloud read is slower (often closer to two hours) but more reliable. Local reinstall is faster but may not fix corruption. Do not interrupt the process — let it run until your computer restarts on its own.

Can I restore my HP computer if I forgot my password?

Yes. If you cannot log in to Windows, restart your computer and press the recovery key (usually F11 or ESC) to access the recovery screen, then follow the restore steps. You do not need to log in to use the recovery tools. After the restore finishes, you will set up a new account with a new password.

What if I want to keep my files but remove only programs?

Choose "Keep my files" when Reset this PC asks. This removes all programs and settings but leaves your documents, photos, and downloads in place. You will need to reinstall any programs you want to use. This is faster than a complete restore but does not fix all problems — if Windows itself is corrupted, you may still have issues.

Do I need the Windows installation disc to restore my HP computer?

No. HP computers have a recovery partition built into the hard drive, and Reset this PC can read Windows from Microsoft if needed. You do not need a disc or USB drive unless the recovery partition is damaged. If the recovery partition is gone, HP support can provide a recovery disc or USB drive for your specific model.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.