Recovery Software
Download USB Boot Drive Creator (continued) Recovery Instructions (continued)
Download and
System Recovery
Notebook USB Device Instructions
Windows 8 Series Operating System
© Copyright 2014, 2015 HP Development Company, L.P. The information
contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP
products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial
errors or omissions contained herein. Imprimé aux États-Unis. Impresso nos EUA.
Impreso en EE.UU. Printed in U.S.A.
Third Edition: July 2015
761840-B23*
761840-B29
Recovery Software Download Instructions
Follow these steps to download the recovery software and
restore your computer to its original factory state if you
experience serious system failure or instability.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
* The download of your recovery media and the overall
recovery process may take several hours to complete.
* Make sure your computer is plugged in to a power source
and do not disconnect from power during the
recovery process.
1. Back up all personal files to an external storage device if possible.
NOTE: You will have to reinstall any files or applications that were
not factory installed after the restoration process has been
completed.
2. You will need at least a 32gb USB device to complete this process.
Remove all files from the USB device prior to following these
instructions as this process will delete all content previously on the
USB device.
Download USB Boot Drive Creator
3. Locate the order fulfillment email you received from HP Support.
You can open this email on the computer needing recovery or on
another computer that has a USB port and Windows Operating
System.
4. From the Download Link section, select the Click to Download
link.
5. When the download completes, select Run if prompted, or navigate
to your Downloads folder (or ctrl + J) and launch the newly
downloaded file to start the Download Assistant.
8. When prompted to select a backup option:
6. When the Download Assistant opens, make a note of the
a. Select Factory Reset to reset the computer by erasing the entire
Destination, or click the ellipsis button (...) to select a different
location. drive and restoring it to the factory state, or
b. Select File Backup Program to back up your data if you have not
7. Click Start to begin the download. already done so.
8. When the download completes, click Open to launch the USB Boot
Drive Creator. You can also launch the USB Boot Drive Creator by
double-clicking on HpRecovery.exe in the destination folder created in
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery
process. Once the files required for the recovery process have
been copied, a message appears instructing you to remove the
step 6 above.
recovery media.
• For USB media, remove and reinstall the USB media when the
Prepare the USB Device
recovery process asks for the supplemental USB.
9. Once the USB Boot Drive Creator appears, insert a removable USB
device (32GB or larger). 10.Click Next to continue the recovery process.
NOTE: All existing data on the USB device will be permanently NOTE: The recovery process typically takes from 2 to3 hours
deleted during this process. Back up any important data on the depending on your system configuration.
drive before continuing with the recovery process.
CAUTION: DO NOT INTERUPT THE RECOVERY PROCESS. Do not
10.Click Next in the USB Boot Drive Creator window. manually turn off or restart the computer during the recovery
process. Do not close any windows.
11.Select the removable USB device (inserted in step 9 above) from
the list, and click Next.
The recovery media will restore the Windows operating system, drivers
12.Review the warning and following the on screen instructions, for your HP hardware, and the software originally installed on your
and click Next.
13.The USB Boot Drive Creator will now prepare the USB device.
computer at the factory. For further information about system recovery,
go to http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-topics/windows8-support.html and
enter system recovery in the Search field.
NOTE: This process may take a considerable amount of time to
complete. Do not remove the USB device or shut off your
computer before this process is complete.
14.Once the process is complete, click Next.
15.Review the completion message, and then click Exit.
16.Remove the USB device.
Recovery Instructions
Follow these steps to restore your computer to its original factory
state if you experience serious system failure or instability.
1. If you haven't already done so, back up all personal files to an
external storage device if possible.
NOTE: You will have to reinstall any files or applications that were
not factory installed after the restoration process has been
completed.
2. Shut down the computer.
NOTE: The recovery process typically takes from 2 to3 hours
depending on your system configuration. Be sure that the
computer is connected to AC power while performing a recovery.
3. Insert the USB device you just created in the steps above. Connect
the USB device directly to the computer and not a USB hub.
4. Remove all external devices connected to the computer. Do not
disconnect the power cord, monitor, keyboard, or mouse.
5. Turn on the computer and start tapping the ESC key to open the
Startup Menu.
6. Press F9 to show the boot device menu.
7. Use the arrow keys to select the USB device containing the
recovery media from the list of UEFI Boot Sources, and then press
enter.
The computer will boot from the USB device.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if my recovery media doesn’t automatically start?
• If the recovery media doesn’t automatically start, restart the computer. Immediately
after the computer powers on, press F9 to select the boot option. Use the down arrow to
select the UEFI DVD/USB source.
2. Will this process erase my data?
• Yes, this process will completely erase all data. Your system will be restored to the
default manufacture’s setting. We recommend that you backup your personal files prior
to recovery. To review backup option go to Help and Support from the start menu.
3. What happens when I am in a recovery loop or the recovery process starts over after
completing?
• Remove the USB and restart the computer. Your system should now boot into Windows.
4. What if I can’t open the optical drive?
• Locate the manual eject hole on the front of the optical drive. Use a straighten paper clip
or pin and insert gently into the ejection hole until the drive opens.
5. How do I get Microsoft Update?
• After the recovery media is installed, Microsoft Updates will automatically start to install.
To decrease update time, it is recommended that you use a wired network connection
instead of wireless. NOTE: only install the wireless network after recovery installation is
complete.
6. How long will the recovery process take?
• The recovery installation typically takes 4-5 hours.
7. What if my system locks up, doesn’t progress, or continues to reboot during this process?
• It is normal for the system to look as if it has locked up, stopped progressing, or reboots
during the recovery process. Please allow additional time for the recovery to complete.
8. What if I receive an error message during the recovery process?
• If your system displays an error during the recovery process, please take a picture with
your smart phone or camera. Contact HP Support at www.hp.com/support and provide
the error message. There may be additional issues with your system that our
representative can assist you with.
9. When downloading the image, what if I can’t get the recovery image onto the USB?
• If you are unable to get the recovery image onto the USB, confirm the USB is larger than
the download and that the USB is formatted.
10. How do I restore my backup data?
• To restore files, go to Backup and Restore from the start up menu. Under the Restore
section, select “select another backup to restore files from”. Select the location your
backup is stored on.
For additional help and useful information, please visit HP's YouTube channel at:
www.youtube.com/user/howto4u/featured

If you have any other issues that have not been addressed, please visit HP Support at
www.hp.com/support