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HP PCs - Software recovery options (Windows 11 and Windows 10)

HP and Microsoft provide several software recovery options for your computer. Knowing which option is best to use before you begin can save you time and effort.

Note:

For business computers, the recovery options might no longer be viable as the image might have been replaced. Contact your company's IT department or your local IT service to confirm the appropriate recovery option.

Commercial and consumer software recovery options

Use this information to decide which recovery tool to use for commercial and consumer software recovery options.

  • Microsoft System Restore

    • Document: HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore

    • To launch from inside Windows, search for restore, and then select Create a restore point. The System Properties window opens with the System Protection tab selected. On the System Protection tab, click System Restore.

    • To launch from outside Windows, press f11 while the computer restarts. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.

    • Estimated recovery time, dependent on PC specifications and connectivity speed: The system restore time depends on the amount of data present within the last restore point. The restore time might take about an hour. If the restore point is not the current Windows version, it might take up to 2 to 3 days to download and install Microsoft quality and security updates.

    • Operating system: Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • Drivers: Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • User data (pictures, documents, music, videos, desktop shortcuts, and so on): Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • Personalized Windows settings: Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • Store apps (HP preinstalled): Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • Store apps (user preinstalled): Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • Desktop apps (HP preinstalled): Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

    • Desktop apps (user preinstalled): Restores PC back to the last restore point created.

  • Reset this PC (f11)

    • Document: HP PCs - Reset the computer

    • To launch from inside Windows, click Start > Settings > Update & security, and then click Recovery > Reset this PC > Get started.

    • To launch from outside Windows, press f11 while restarting the computer. Click Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

    • Estimated recovery time, dependent on PC specifications and connectivity speed: The Reset this PC tool takes about 20 minutes or more. Additional download (4 to 5 GB, dependent on internet speed) and installation time is needed to obtain the latest build, software, and updates.

    • Operating system: Restores the release to manufacturing (RTM) state of the currently installed version of Windows.

    • Drivers: Only INF based drivers are kept. Any device applets installed outside of INF are kept.

    • User data (pictures, documents, music, videos, desktop shortcuts, and so on): During the Reset this PC process, you can choose one of the following options: Keep my files or Removes everything.

    • Personalized Windows settings: Personalized Windows settings are saved in the cloud via your Microsoft account. If you have a local account, you must reset your password.

    • Store apps (HP preinstalled): Provisioned Store apps are kept.

    • Store apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed Store apps.

    • Desktop apps (HP preinstalled): All OEM preinstalled desktop apps are reverted to factory state. Keeps OEM preinstalled antivirus as the default.

    • Desktop apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed desktop apps.

  • Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool

    • Document: HP PCs - Installing Windows 11 from a USB flash drive or HP PCs - Installing Windows 10

    • To launch from inside Windows, use the procedure for your operating system.

      • Windows 11: Press the Windows key, search for go back, and then click Go back to an earlier build. In the Previous version of Windows section, click Go back.

      • Windows 10: Click Start > Settings > Update & security, and then click Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart now.

    • To launch from outside Windows 11 or Windows 10: Requires an internet connection to create installation media or boot to the created installation media.

    • Estimated recovery time, dependent on PC specifications and connectivity speed: When using Windows Media Creation Tool, initial installation time is about 30 to 45 minutes. Additional download (4 to 5 GB, dependent on internet speed) and installation time is needed to obtain the latest build, software, and updates.

    • Operating system: Restores the most current version of Windows that was available when the installation media was created.

    • Drivers: Drivers are received from the Windows Update server.

    • User data (pictures, documents, music, videos, desktop shortcuts, and so on): Discards data. Create a backup before recovery.

    • Personalized Windows settings: Reinstalls the original state of the media when created.

    • Store apps (HP preinstalled): Reinstalls the original state of the media when created.

    • Store apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed Store apps.

    • Desktop apps (HP preinstalled): Reinstalls the original state of the media when created.

    • Desktop apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed desktop apps.

  • Send HP Media

    • Document: HP Consumer PCs - Obtaining PC recovery USB drives or discs

    • To launch from inside Windows: Not applicable

    • To launch from outside Windows: Boot to media.

    • Estimated recovery time, dependent on PC specifications and connectivity speed: Shipping time. About 30 to 180 minutes to install (depending on image size). Additionally, up to 2 to 3 days of Microsoft quality and security updates including download and installation time (this time might vary depending on when the HP image media was created).

    • Operating system: Restores a computer's software configuration to its original condition, without the latest updates.

    • Drivers: The drivers are restored to the original software build from when the HP media was created.

    • User data (pictures, documents, music, videos, desktop shortcuts, and so on): Discards data. Create a backup before recovery.

    • Personalized Windows settings: Need to reset.

    • Store apps (HP preinstalled): Reinstalls the original state of the HP Media build.

    • Store apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed Store apps.

    • Desktop apps (HP preinstalled): Reinstalls the original state of the HP Media build.

    • Desktop apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed desktop apps.

  • HP Cloud Recovery Client or HP Cloud Recovery Tool

    • Document: HP Business PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Client in Windows 11 and Windows 10 or HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10

    • To launch from inside Windows: Requires a supported PC model, an internet connection, and a USB flash drive with a minimum of 16 GB storage.

    • To launch from outside Windows: Not applicable.

    • Estimated recovery time, dependent on PC specifications and connectivity speed: About 30 to 180 minutes to download (5 GB, dependent on internet speed). Additionally, up to 2 to 3 days of Microsoft quality and security updates including download and installation time (this time might vary depending on when the image was uploaded).

    • Operating system: Restores the original software build from when the HP Image was uploaded.

    • Drivers: The drivers are restored to the original software build from when the image was uploaded.

    • User data (pictures, documents, music, videos, desktop shortcuts, and so on): Discards data. Create a backup before recovery.

    • Personalized Windows settings: Need to reset.

    • Store apps (HP preinstalled): Discards apps. Need to reinstall apps from Microsoft Store.

    • Store apps (user preinstalled): Discards apps. Need to reinstall apps from Microsoft Store.

    • Desktop apps (HP preinstalled): Discards apps. Need to reinstall from the HP website.

    • Desktop apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed desktop apps.

Commercial only software recovery options

Use this information to help you decide which software recovery tool to use for commercial PCs only.

  • HP Image Assistant (HPIA)

    • Document: HP PCs - Using HP Image Assistant

    • To launch from inside Windows: Requires an internet connection, a USB flash drive or DVD, and a product key.

    • To launch from outside Windows: Not applicable.

    • Estimated recovery time, dependent on PC specifications and connectivity speed: About 30 to 180 minutes to install (depending on image size). Additionally, up to 2 to 3 days of Microsoft quality and security updates including download and installation time (this time might vary depending on when the image was created).

    • Operating system: Restores the original software build from when the HP Image was captured.

    • Drivers: The drivers are restored to the original software build from when the image was captured.

    • User data (pictures, documents, music, videos, desktop shortcuts, and so on): Discards data. Create a backup before recovery.

    • Personalized Windows settings: Need to reset.

    • Store apps (HP preinstalled): Reinstalls the original state of the HP Media build.

    • Store apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed Store apps.

    • Desktop apps (HP preinstalled): Reinstalls the original state of the HP Media build.

    • Desktop apps (user preinstalled): Discards all user-installed desktop apps.

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