I'm locked out of my HP laptop

Kathey Hughes 0 Reputation points
2026-10-21T19:46:12.7766667+00:00

I tried to factory reset my laptop and and it popped up and says clean up storage where windows are... What can I do now????

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Recovery and backup
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  1. EmilyS726 277.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-21T20:18:15.63+00:00

    In this case, do a clean install instead.

    Video tutorial is available here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsinsider/cleaninstall?msockid=2f024275e21f64ea3c9c52cde3346537

    To perform a clean installation of Windows 11 using the Windows Media Creation Tool. You do need to get access to another computer so you can download the Windows installation files into a flash drive, then use the flash drive to help your computer. Hopefully you have a spare computer, or you can have friend or family help you.

    The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:

    Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 click on the "download now" button under "Create Windows 11 Installation Media"

    Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."

    Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."

    Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.

    Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."

    The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.

    =====================================================

    Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:

    Go to the computer's BIOS boot menu to have it boot from the USB drive.

    Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11, making sure to choose "Custom install" and select the option to delete all existing partitions.

    Once the installation is complete, you'll have a clean installation of Windows 11 on your computer.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-21T19:46:52.5133333+00:00

    If the reset has already started, keep the HP laptop connected to power and do not switch it off; if you are still choosing reset options, leave Clean data off unless you plan to sell, donate, or recycle the laptop.

    What the storage-cleaning option means

    • Clean data / fully clean the drive removes files and cleans the drive, making deleted information harder to recover. It takes longer and is intended mainly when transferring the PC to someone else.
    • A normal Remove everything reset still removes personal files, applications, and settings, but without the additional drive-cleaning pass.
    • Keep my files reinstalls Windows while preserving personal files, although it removes applications and settings. ^1^

    If the screen instead asks which storage to erase:

    • Choose the option limited to the drive where Windows is installed if you only need to reinstall Windows.
    • Do not select an option covering every drive unless you intentionally want everything erased.

    Warning: Because you selected a factory reset, some or all personal files may be deleted. If the files are important and the reset has not begun, cancel and arrange to recover or back them up first.

    If the reset is currently running

    1. Connect the charger.
    2. Allow the process to finish, including automatic restarts.
    3. Do not force a shutdown if the screen becomes black. Microsoft notes that a black screen can last more than 15 minutes and that manually restarting during this stage can cause the reset to fail. ^1^
    4. When setup appears, complete the language, network, and account screens.

    If the reset fails or returns to the same screen

    Use recovery or installation media rather than repeatedly starting the same reset:

    1. On another working Windows computer, connect an empty USB flash drive with at least 8 GB capacity. Its existing contents will be erased.
    2. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10
    3. Run it and select Create installation media for another PC.
    4. Select USB flash drive and let the tool create the installer.
    5. Connect it to the HP laptop and start the laptop’s boot menu.
    6. Boot from the USB drive and reinstall Windows.

    A clean installation removes everything from the laptop. For the best hardware compatibility, Microsoft also recommends considering HP’s recovery media because manufacturer recovery images can include device-specific drivers and factory applications. ^2^ A matching HP reset case also recommends USB installation when the built-in reset cannot complete. ^3^

    Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. After recovery, check whether this HP model supports Windows 11; otherwise, Windows 10 will run without free security updates. ^1^

    References

    1. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/backup-recovery/reset-your-pc#reset-options)
    2. Recovery options in Windows | Microsoft Support
    3. Unable To Perform Factory Reset - Microsoft Q&A
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