Reset an HP Laptop Without a Restore Disc

HP laptops shipped with Windows 7 include a recovery partition that performs the same tasks as a restore disc. HP Recovery Manager, the name of the software installed to the partition, provides several functions. A business owner can use the software to reinstall the operating system and to back up company files to another storage device before wiping the hard drive.

Step 1

Turn on or restart the HP laptop and press "F11" until the computer boots to Recovery Manager.

Step 2

Select "System Recovery" from the "I Need Help Immediately" section in the left pane. Click "Back Up Your Files (Recommended)" and select "Next."

Related Reading: How to Install My HP PSC 1210V All in One Printer if I Do Not Have an Installation Disc

Step 3

Choose which types of files to back up and click "Next." Connect an external drive to the laptop or insert a blank disc into the optical drive.

Step 4

Select the drive letter associated with the optical or USB drive, and then click "Next."

Step 5

Click "Next" when the backup process completes. Recovery Manager will restore the HP computer to its original state.

Step 6

Click "Finish." Follow the on-screen prompts to set up Windows 7.

Tip

• If you don't want to back up your files, click "Recover Without Backing Up Your Files" and follow the on-screen directions.