The backup Windows provided with my PC is stored on an external drive.
The backup Windows provided with my PC is stored on an external drive.
You're looking to restore your HP Victus 16's Windows installation without any personal files. You want a clean, exact copy of the original OS image, including all components, and ideally a bootable ISO file. Cloning isn't your goal—you're after a pristine Windows installation image. Yes, it's possible using tools like Rufus or Clonezilla to create a bootable USB from the original Windows installation media. This way, you can reinstall the exact version that came with your PC.
The goal is to return the system to its original state before any changes were made. Restoring from a backup or using a clean install achieves this, but it may not be necessary if the current setup is functional. A reset to defaults can sometimes resolve lingering issues without altering settings.
I'm proceeding to erase the disk completely since I aim to set up multiple Linux distributions. I understand dual booting is an option, but I prefer a clean slate now. The Windows reset feature functions perfectly for this purpose. I previously ran it yesterday, setting it to uninstall all installed programs and personal files, which restored the OS while preserving manufacturer-installed software. The key was that data remained in a partition, allowing the process to succeed without losing those files.
It's a solid idea to dual-boot, it avoids the trouble of backing up the recovery partition. You'd likely need to clone partitions to a backup drive, and then set up Linux there.
You have the built-in feature to generate a recovery USB drive. This is the optimal solution if you can't scan the entire storage device.
Review these instructions at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...fab304c246