Installing hard drive on wiped hp 14 laptop

Below are step-by-step instructions to reinstall Windows on an HP 14 laptop that has been wiped, using a USB flash drive.

1. Prepare another working Windows PC (technician PC)
   • A separate Windows PC is needed to create the USB installation drive.
2. Get a USB flash drive
   • Use a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB capacity.
   • Back up anything on it; it will be erased.
3. Create Windows installation media (recommended automated method)
   • On the working PC, follow the guidance in Create installation media for Windows (Media Creation Tool) as referenced in the docs:
     • Download and run the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 or 11.
     • Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file).
     • Select language, edition, and architecture (usually the defaults are correct).
     • Choose USB flash drive and select the USB you plugged in.
     • Let the tool download Windows and make the USB bootable.
4. (Alternative) Manually create a bootable USB from an ISO
   • Only needed if not using the Media Creation Tool.
   • On the working PC:
     1. Connect the USB drive.
     2. Open Disk Management (right-click Start → Disk Management).
     3. Right-click the USB partition → Format → choose FAT32 file system → OK.
     4. Right-click the USB partition again → Mark Partition as Active.
     5. Mount the Windows ISO or insert the Windows DVD.
     6. Use File Explorer to copy all files from the ISO/DVD to the USB drive.
     7. If the image file is larger than 4 GB (FAT32 limit), follow the split-image steps:
        • Copy everything except sources\install.wim to the USB, or run:

                    robocopy D: E: /s /max:3800000000
          

          where D: is the mounted ISO and E: is the USB.
        • Split the WIM file:

                    Dism /Split-Image /ImageFile:D:\sources\install.wim /SWMFile:E:\sources\install.swm /FileSize:3800
          

        • Windows Setup will use install.swm automatically.
5. Boot the HP 14 from the USB
   1. Insert the bootable USB into the HP 14.
   2. Power on or restart the HP 14.
   3. Immediately press the key to open the boot menu/BIOS (commonly Esc, F9, F10, F12, or DEL on HP; check HP’s on-screen prompt or manual).
   4. In the boot menu, set the USB drive as the first boot option or select it directly.
   5. Save changes and exit; the laptop should restart and boot from the USB.
6. Start Windows Setup
   • When the HP 14 boots from the USB, Windows Setup will start.
   • Choose language, time, and keyboard settings → Next.
   • Select Install now (or Install Windows 11 / Install Windows 10 depending on media).
7. Choose clean install and drive options
   • When asked for installation type, choose Custom (install Windows only).
   • On the drive selection screen, if the internal drive has partitions:
     • Select each partition on the internal drive and choose Delete until all space is shown as Unallocated space.
     • This removes all data on that drive.
   • Select the unallocated space and choose Next.
   • Windows will create the needed partitions and start installing.
8. Complete installation
   • The laptop will restart several times.
   • When prompted, remove the USB drive so it boots from the internal drive.
   • Follow the on-screen steps to set up Windows (region, keyboard, account, etc.).
9. Optional: Create a recovery drive for the future
   • Once Windows is running on the HP 14:
     1. From Start, search for Recovery Drive and open it, or run recoverydrive.exe.
     2. Ensure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected → Next.
     3. Connect an empty USB drive, select it → Next → Create.
     • This USB can later be used to reinstall or repair Windows if needed.

References:

• Install Windows from a Flash Drive
• Recovery Drive
• Use a screen reader to set up Windows
• Reinstall Windows with the installation media