Best Tech Articles HP PCs - Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 10)

HP PCs - Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 10)

Windows

Jan 21, 2025 2053 Views 05 Comment 1.5k Share

This document pertains to HP and Compaq computers that came with Windows 10 installed.

Learn how to reinstall or restore an HP computer with Windows 10 to an earlier state. Also, learn how to perform a system recovery using HP Recovery Manager.

CAUTION:
The new Recovery Manager for Fall Update 2015 must be downloaded and installed to successfully perform a system recovery using HP Recovery Manager.
A minimum of 3 GB of free space is required to install the Recovery Manager update.

Back up all personal files and read all caution statements before performing a system recovery. Failure to backup your files will result in loss of files and information that you do not want to lose.

For instructions to backup and save your files, see Backing up your files (Windows 10, 8).

The complete recovery process can take 4 to 6 hours or more to complete. For best results, the computer should not be connected to the Internet. The computer will restart several times during the process. Do not turn off the power or interrupt the recovery process until the prompt to log in to Windows displays.

Issue with HP Recovery Manager

If your computer shipped with Windows 10 pre-installed at the factory, HP Recovery Manager will not work with the Fall 2015 Update.

Specifically, a Can’t open file: X:\sources\Recovery\tools\HP\Rita-tool\ message displays if you attempt to open HP Recovery Manager using either of the following methods:

Pressing the F11 key, clicking Troubleshoot, and then selecting HP Recovery Manager
OR
Searching for and selecting HP Recovery Manager, and then clicking Windows Recovery Environment

To resolve the issue, download and install one of the following HP software updates.

If you are not sure which download is needed for your computer, please return to the top of the page and enter your serial number or product name in the search bar to be directed to the appropriate product page.

For notebook computers, download HP Recovery Manager Update SP 74123
For desktop computers, download HP Recovery Manager Update SP 74124
For business notebook or desktop computers, download HP Recovery Manager Update 74138

NOTE:
When you click the link, the file is downloaded using your Internet browser download capabilities.

Getting started

Use the Windows 10 search box to search for HP Recovery Manager and click to open it. Depending on the model of your computer and its configuration, your Recovery Manager screen might vary. Not all options are available on all models and configurations.

If HP Recovery Manager opens and one or both of the following options are the only ones available, you can restore your system with the Microsoft push-button reset.

Select one of the options and follow the on-screen instructions for the push-button reset. For detailed instructions see HP PCs - Microsoft Push-Button Reset (Windows 10)

Figure : Recovery options

Recovery options available for your computer

Standard recover manager options display according to the system resources and configuration of your computer system. Yours might vary from the example below.

Figure : Recovery Manager - Standard

Types of system recovery

Your computer might have three types of System Recovery available, or it might have only two. Use the recovery type that resolves your issue without making more changes than necessary.

System Recovery: This option reformats the system drive (usually C:), reinstalls the original operating system, and reinstalls all the original hardware drivers and software.
WARNING:
If the size of the OS partition (usually C:) was reduced below a minimum size requirement, other user-created partitions will be removed and stored data will be destroyed.
Factory Reset: Factory Reset reformats the entire hard drive, reinstalls the original operating system, and reinstalls all the original hardware drivers and software. This option also recreates the required Recovery partition (usually D:) and reinstalls the required software. The factory reset recreates the required Recover Partition (usually D:) and all other required partitions.
The Factory Reset option returns all of the computer's software to the condition it was in at the time of purchase. All user changes or additions are removed.
Minimized Image Recovery: Available on many of HP's notebook computers, the Minimized Image Recovery reinstalls the original operating system and hardware drivers, and reinstalls essential HP software such as HP Support Assistant and HP Recovery Manager.

Performing system recovery

If you want your computer to return to a previous state, use system recovery to accomplish such things as:

Reformat the system drive
Reinstall the original operating system
Reinstall original hardware drivers and software

Learn how to perform a recovery on your computer with Windows 10 using one of the following methods:

Recovery when Windows opens correctly
Recovery when Windows does not open correctly
Recovery using recovery media, such as discs or a USB flash drive

Back up all personal files and read all caution statements before performing a system recovery.

Recovery using HP Recovery Manager

If Windows opens correctly, perform the following steps to start a system recovery from the Windows Start screen.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, USB drives, printers, and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.
Turn on the computer.
From the Start screen, type recovery manager, and then select HP Recovery Manager from the search results.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the program to make changes to the computer, click Yes.
Under Help, click System Recovery.
Figure : Recovery Manager Main screen
Click Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Figure : Recover without backing up your files
Read the System Recovery information. To proceed, click Next.
Figure : System recovery information
Recovery Manager is preparing the system for recovery.
Figure : Preparing for the recovery
The preparations are complete. Click Continue.
Figure : Recovery preparation is complete
The computer restarts. Follow any on-screen instructions and do not interrupt it during the process. The computer might restart a number of times during the recovery process.

Recovery using HP supplied recovery media

If you received HP recovery media from HP, use this section to recovery your computer. Insert the media and use the following instructions.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, USB drives, printers, and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.
Turn on the computer.
Insert the recovery disc you got from HP.
Select a language, and then click OK.
Figure : Selecting a language
Select Factory Reset to erase the entire hard drive and restore it to the original factory condition. Then click Next.
CAUTION:
Select File Backup, if you have not already backed up your files. Proceeding without backing up your files will result in lost files and information.
Figure : Selecting Factory Reset
Click Next on the Welcome to Recovery Manager screen.
Figure : Welcome to Recovery Manager
Select Recover without backing up your files.
CAUTION:
Make sure your files are backed up before proceeding.
If you need to backup your files, select Backup your files first (recommended), and then follow the on-screen instructions.
To continue with the backup without backing up your files, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Figure : Recovering without backing up your files
Factory image recovery preparation are made.
Figure : Recovery preparation
Insert disc 2 and wait. Do not click Cancel.
Figure : Insert disc 2
Do not stop the process while the Windows partition is being reformatted and the files to restore the hard drive are being copied.
Figure : Reformatting partition and copying files
If you received a supplemental recovery disc from HP Support, insert it when prompted. If not, click Skip.
Figure : Supplemental disc
The files are copied to the hard drive.
Figure : Preparing for recovery
The recovery preparation is complete. Click Continue.
The computer restarts and the recovery and installation phase begins. Do not interrupt the process as it restarts multiple times.
Figure : Recovery preparation is complete
If prompted. make the selection to reboot or restart the computer.

Factory Reset using media you created

If you created your own recovery media, you can use it to perform a system recovery on your computer.

Creating recovery media

To create the recovery media now, use the following instructions. Only one set of media can be created, so if it has already been created, you will not be able to create another one.

Search for and open HP Recovery Manager.
In Recovery Manager, click Create recovery media.
Figure : Recovery Manager
Read carefully and follow the on-screen instructions. You will select whether to create the recovery media on a USB flash drive or CDs.

Resetting using media you created

If you created your own recovery media, you can use it to perform a system recovery on your computer.

CAUTION:
Back up all personal files and read all caution statements before performing a system recovery. Failure to backup your files will result in loss of files and information that you do not want to lose.

For instructions to backup and save your files, see Backing up your files (Windows 10, 8).

After backing up your files, use the following instructions to use the media you created to recover your computer.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices and cables such as Personal Media Drives, USB drives, printers, and faxes. Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware. Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.
Turn on the computer.
Insert the recovery media you created previously.
Select Run program from media, and then click Next.
Figure : Run program from media
Select Factory Reset to erase the entire hard drive and restore it to the original factory condition. Then click Next.
CAUTION:
Select File Backup, if you have not already backed up your files. Proceeding without backing up your files will result in lost files and information.
Figure : Selecting Factory Reset
Select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next.
Figure :
Read the Factory Reset information and then click Next.
Figure : Factory Reset information
To proceed, read the warning and click OK.
Figure : Warning about resetting the hard drive
Recovery manager prepares the factory image. Wait for the next screen.