Hi there! I'm an expert in computer troubleshooting and maintenance. If you're looking to perform a factory reset on your HP computer, there are a few methods you can use depending on the age and model of your machine. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

### Method 1: Using the F11 Key (For HP PCs with Windows 7, 8, or 10)


1. Backup Important Data: Before you begin, make sure to back up any important files or data to an external drive or cloud storage. A factory reset will erase all data on your computer.


2. Restart Your Computer: Click on the Start menu and select "Restart". If your computer is already off, turn it on.


3. Access the Recovery Partition: As your computer restarts, press the F11 key repeatedly until you see the "Recovery Manager" screen.


4. Choose Recovery Option: On the Recovery Manager screen, you'll see several options. Select "Start System Recovery".


5. Select a Recovery Method: You may be presented with two options: "Repair your computer" or "Remove everything and reinstall Windows". Choose "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" for a complete factory reset.


6. Confirm Your Selection: The system will ask you to confirm that you want to remove all personal files and reinstall Windows. Confirm and proceed.

7.
Follow On-Screen Instructions: The computer will then guide you through the process of reinstalling Windows. This may take some time, so be patient.

### Method 2: Using Windows Recovery Environment (For HP PCs with Windows 8 or 10)


1. Boot into Recovery Mode: Restart your computer and press the F11 key (or sometimes F12 or Shift + F8) repeatedly as it boots to access the recovery options.


2. Choose Troubleshoot: On the "Choose an option" screen, select "Troubleshoot".


3. Reset Your PC: Click on "Reset this PC" and then choose "Remove everything" to perform a full factory reset.


4. Follow the Prompts: The system will guide you through the rest of the process. You'll be able to choose whether to keep or remove personal files and reinstall Windows.

### Method 3: Using HP Recovery Media (For HP PCs with a Pre-installed Recovery Partition)


1. Create Recovery Media: If you have recovery discs or a USB drive with HP Recovery Media, insert it into your computer.


2. Boot from the Media: Restart your computer and press the appropriate key (often F12 or F10) to access the boot menu and select the recovery media as the boot device.


3. Start Recovery Process: Follow the on-screen instructions to start the recovery process.


4. Choose Full Recovery: When prompted, select the option to perform a full recovery, which will restore your PC to its factory settings.

### Method 4: Using HP Support Assistant

1. **Download and Install HP Support Assistant**: If your HP computer came with HP Support Assistant, you can use it to access recovery options.


2. Access Recovery Options: Open the HP Support Assistant and navigate to the "Tools" section. Look for an option related to "Recovery" or "Factory Reset".


3. Follow the Guide: The assistant will guide you through the process of performing a factory reset.

### Important Considerations:

- Warranty and Software Licenses: Be aware that performing a factory reset may void your warranty or require you to reactivate software licenses.
- Recovery Partition: Ensure your recovery partition is intact. If it's corrupted or missing, you may need to use recovery media or contact HP support.
- Time and Internet Connection: The process can take a while, and you'll need an internet connection to download the latest Windows updates after the reset.

Remember, a factory reset is a significant operation that will erase all personal data and installed programs. Make sure you have everything backed up before you proceed.

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To restore an HP computer to factory settings, boot up the computer, press the "F11" key while it is booting up and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. Restore a computer back to its original factory settings with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.Jan 14, 2009read more >>