How to restore my HP laptop to Windows 8 or 8.1 without having a backup copy?

Question

How to restore my HP laptop to Windows 8 or 8.1 without having a backup copy?

Anonymous

Hi,

Few days ago my HP laptop got damaged (LED screen had to be replaced). So I got the LED display to be changed but then system won't boot normally and was forcing me to either do a Restore, Reset. Restore or backup also did not work and I was left with Reset option only. Since I wanted to copy the data from hard-disk before I do the Reset, I used the laptop harddisk as an external harddisk (using a case) and copied the data over to my space external hard disk. Then I plugged the laptop hard disk back in to the laptop and HP system is going (over 3 weeks now) through normal 'Diagnosing Your PC......' message.

1. My question is how do I reset, reload Windows 8.1 on my laptop now? Since my laptop is not providing me the blue screen with options of (Restore, Reset...etc.) in-built options that I had seen earlier.

2. To make matter worse (my stupidity). I did not make a recovery copy from my laptop that I could use. So now only thing that is there on my laptop harddisk is the 'Recovery Partition' (D:).

I don't know how to use that partition to recover, reset or restore my laptop to Original Windows 8.1 that it came with.

Any help on above question would be very very helpful. Or show me a way to fix this.

Thank you very much.

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9 answers

Answer 1

Use System Image Backup

You can still use System Image Backup in Windows 8/8.1.

"System Image Backup in Windows 8.1"

https://www.winhelp.us/system-image-backup-in-windows-8-1.html

"Windows 8.1 Tip: Use System Image Backup"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-use-system-image-backup

"Restore a System Image in Windows 7 and 8/8.1"

https://www.winhelp.us/restore-a-system-image-in-windows-7.html#reimage

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These are quite good programs to use for Complete PC Backup and is free:

"EaseUS Todo Backup Free"

http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

"Welcome to EaseUS Todo Backup Manual"

http://www.todo-backup.com/support/help/

http://www.todo-backup.com/download/docs/User\_Guide.pdf

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"AOMEI Backupper Standard"

http://www.backup-utility.com/free-backup-software.html

"Configure and automate AOMEI Backupper in Windows"

https://www.winhelp.us/configure-aomei-backupper-in-windows.html

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"Macrium Reflect Free"

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

"Macrium Reflect Tutorial"

http://www.macrium.com/webtutorial/tutorial.asp

Answer 2

Anonymous

Let us know how it works out for you.

Cheers.

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Answer 3

Hi,

Follow these HP steps to do a Recovery to Factory Settings (new condition).

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03489643&tmp\_task=solveCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en#N617

Scroll down towards the lower part of the link for information on reset outside of Windows.

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Or download the Windows 8.1 ISO and make your own installation Media.

This should assist you.

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

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"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

Warning

This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

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With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

Cheers.

Answer 4

How do I reset or re-install my Windows 8 on my laptop when I do not have any media (USB/ISO of Widows 8)?

I just have the recovery partition on the hard-disk that came with my laptop.

Can I still use the recovery disk to create an image or backup for Windows 8 so I could re-install?

Thanks

Answer 5

How do I reset or re-install my Windows 8 on my laptop when I do not have any media (USB/ISO of Widows 8)?

I just have the recovery partition on the hard-disk that came with my laptop.

Can I still use the recovery disk to create an image or backup for Windows 8 so I could re-install?

Thanks

If you read my reply it is all explained for you to use the HP Recovery partition.

Read the HP link

And no, you can not make Recovery Media from the Recovery partition until you use the Recovery partition to reinstall the operating system to get it working again.

If the recovery partition does not work, I have also given you the information on how to make your own installation media.

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How to restore my HP laptop to Windows 8 or 8.1 without having a backup copy?

9 answers