New laptop came with W11 - How Do I Roll It Back To Being Uninstalled If I Want To Return Laptop?

Discussion in 'Windows 11' started by Zepp, Jul 5, 2022.

  1. Zepp

    Zepp MDL Member

    Mar 7, 2010
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    #1 Zepp, Jul 5, 2022
    Am receiving an open-box, new laptop from BestBuy. When I boot the machine I will be presented with the initial setup for installing W11 (will make local acct). If I end up not liking the machine and return it, how do I reverse the install so that the next person who boots sees the initial setup screen? TIA
     
  2. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Guru

    Feb 11, 2009
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    #2 Flipp3r, Jul 5, 2022
    There could be a Recovery image. Press the recovery function key at bootup & restore factory image.
    Gigabyte is F9. HP is F11. MSI is F3.
    If it doesn't, run "Reset this PC" & let it re-install itself without your user data saved.
    Once you are on the OOBE screen, press SHIFT+F10 to get the command prompt. From there run:
    Code:
    shutdown -s -f -t 0
    to shutdown the notebook...
     
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  3. Zepp

    Zepp MDL Member

    Mar 7, 2010
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    #3 Zepp, Jul 5, 2022 (OP)
    Thanks so much. (It's an ASUS Zephyrus G15 - I'll do a search for the recovery function key if needed.) Appreciate it.
     
  4. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Guru

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    #4 Flipp3r, Jul 6, 2022
    No prob. I think ASUS uses F9...
     
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  5. verndog

    verndog MDL Member

    May 3, 2010
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    #5 verndog, Jul 6, 2022
    Have you tried "System > Recovery > Reset this PC" ?
     
  6. ohenry

    ohenry MDL Senior Member

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    #6 ohenry, Jul 6, 2022
    If it were me, and I were going to return the computer, I would just format the hard drive and leave it blank. Best Buy really shouldn't sell the computer to someone else without re-imaging the hard drive.

    Mind you, I'm not saying what Best Buy (or any other retailer) WILL do, only what they should do.
     
  7. case-sensitive

    case-sensitive MDL Expert

    Nov 7, 2013
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    #7 case-sensitive, Jul 6, 2022
    If i wanted to use a computer and then send it back i would have copyed the hard disk first , before i switched it on , and then after i'd used it put the backup back in again . Here where i am when a computer gets sent back its checked to see if its been used .
     
  8. ohenry

    ohenry MDL Senior Member

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    #8 ohenry, Jul 7, 2022
    The return policy at most retail stores does not differentiate based on whether the merchandise has been "used".

    Interesting note, I just now noticed in the original post "open box". I have purchased "open box" computers in the past that came pre-equipped with someone else's account(s).