Solved Resetting "open box" laptop

highstream · 2025-07-14T04:15:59-0400

I just received an open box Lenovo ThinkPad laptop with Win 11 Pro (last Windows update early June). It looks like it has the basic Windows 11 Pro install and Lenovo apps, and not anything else. Windows shows "Owner" as local user account and administrator. Thus, it looks like a reset is needed to get it in my name. The reset instructions I find say that Windows will be reinstalled at some point. Will it recognize the Windows Pro version? How do I make this go as smoothly as possible? Thanks,

kadm0s99 · 2025-07-14T04:24:55-0400

I would create a Windows 11 bootable USB with Rufus. Download all the drivers for your specific model. To find your specific model, go to pcsupport.lenovo.com - click on "detect my device" and download all the drivers. Then look for a guide on this forum that will completely wipe/clean all partitions on the drive and start from scratch.

echo2446 · 2025-07-14T06:11:30-0400

I would also download ShowKeyPlus (by Superfly Inc) to capture the Windows product key, just in case. The app also shows if the key is already in the firmware.

ShowKeyPlus - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store

highstream · 2025-07-14T08:50:10-0400

kadm0s99 said:
I would create a Windows 11 bootable USB with Rufus. Download all the drivers for your specific model. To find your specific model, go to pcsupport.lenovo.com - click on "detect my device" and download all the drivers. Then look for a guide on this forum that will completely wipe/clean all partitions on the drive and start from scratch.

After getting the product key, can I set up this USB using my Win 10 desktop (getting Win 11 of course), or does it have to be created using the laptop, i.e. the same machine?

spapakons · 2025-07-14T09:35:00-0400

No need for a product key, since the laptop has a digital license in Microsoft servers. Just download latest Windows 11 ISO, create a bootable USB flash drive and start Setup from there. When asked click "I don't have a product key" and you will be presented with a list to choose the appropriate Windows version. Choose Windows 11 Pro and proceed. When you see the disk, delete all partitions and leave the whole disk as unallocated. Then proceed with the installation. When first online Windows should find the digital license at Microsoft's servers and activate automatically. Then install all drivers from manufacturer and you will be fine. Next you install any other application you need.

spapakons · 2025-07-14T09:38:32-0400

highstream said:
After getting the product key, can I set up this USB using my Win 10 desktop (getting Win 11 of course), or does it have to be created using the laptop, i.e. the same machine?

If you want to have your apps and data from Windows 10, you must have both Windows 10 disk and laptop disk connected in either the laptop (Windows 10 disk on SATA to USB adapter) or the other computer. Then carefully clone the Windows 10 disk on the laptop disk (make sure you don't do the other way around). Let only the laptop disk in the laptop and boot it. Windows will attempt to install new drivers. Install the rest from manufacturer. If it is the same Windows version (Windows 10 Pro), it will activate automatically. Download the Windows 11 ISO, mount it (aka Open with File Explorer) and proceed to upgrade to Windows 11. It will activate again automatically.

Helmut · 2025-07-14T09:57:05-0400

Download the Recovery Media from Lenovo, there are a number of hoops to jump thru like Ser no etc.
From that you create a Recovery USB drive.
Use that to return the Laptop to an as bought condition. Going thru the OOBE as usual.

That applies to a normal consumer bought Laptop.

There maybe problems with ex business/organisation ones.

highstream · 2025-07-14T10:04:20-0400

Thanks, but cloning wasn’t my question or interest (there will be a bit of syncing later). My question is the simple practical one: can I use Rufus to make the flash drive using my Win 10 desktop and then port it to the laptop, or does it have to be made from the laptop itself? I would think it could be created from the desktop, but just want to be sure.

highstream · 2025-07-14T10:07:50-0400

Helmut said:
Download the Recovery Media from Lenovo, there are a number of hoops to jump thru like Ser no etc.
From that you create a Recovery USB drive.
Use that to return the Laptop to an as bought condition. Going thru the OOBE as usual.

That applies to a normal consumer bought Laptop.

There maybe problems with ex business/organisation ones.

Now I’m confused: One reply says use Rufus and yours says use Lenovo. Or am I missing the connection?

spapakons · 2025-07-14T10:40:25-0400

highstream said:
Thanks, but cloning wasn’t my question or interest (there will be a bit of syncing later). My question is the simple practical one: can I use Rufus to make the flash drive using my Win 10 desktop and then port it to the laptop, or does it have to be made from the laptop itself? I would think it could be created from the desktop, but just want to be sure.

Of course, you can create the USB flash drive on any computer. It doesn't have to be the target computer.

highstream · 2025-07-14T10:44:17-0400

spapakons said:
Of course, you can create the USB flash drive on any computer. It doesn't have to be the target computer.

Thanks. But does @Helmut’s suggestion contradict yours? There’s a difference between collecting files from Lenovo’s site and using its site to create the recovery disk.

KevTech · 2025-07-14T11:11:46-0400

highstream · 2025-07-14T11:27:28-0400

Thanks, but the video’s final statement, “Everything will wipe and you’ll have your computer like it’s new again,” takes me back to my original question. If I choose the option to keep the files, what does “everything will wipe” mean, and will that leave me with Windows Pro?

spapakons · 2025-07-14T12:14:52-0400

You can either use Lenovo's Recovery ISO (Windows plus drivers plus some Lenovo apps) or the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft. Both ISOs can be downloaded and create a USB flash drive from any computer, it doesn't have to be a Lenovo computer or the specific laptop model. If you use the official Microsoft Windows 11 ISO you will have to download the Lenovo drivers (or Lenovo Update utility) separately. I would prefer the official ISO so you can choose if you want to include Lenovo apps and which ones. Normally they are not necessary, for Windows to work, but they can help.

highstream · 2025-07-14T12:34:17-0400

So I end up with Win Pro because the laptop has a digital signature with MS and that’s recognized during the recovery install?

spapakons · 2025-07-14T14:17:55-0400

Yes, if there is a Windows 10/11 Pro key embedded in BIOS it is used automatically to install Windows 11 Pro. When first online it will also activate automatically.

highstream · 2025-07-14T15:03:54-0400

Thanks. I take it from you instructions above that Rufus is not really necessary.

One curious thing I had happen with the Lenovo laptop I returned a couple of weeks ago because of screen artifacts (another thread here), and now with this one, is when I try to log into MS/Windows, it didn't/doesn't recognize my 4 year old password. The first laptop was ok with my PIN, but this one didn't offer that option. I made double sure by logging in from my desktop. So I changed my pw last night just to be 100% sure, but the current laptop still didn't recognize it. Does that have to do with it not being in my name yet, or reset, in some way?

spapakons · 2025-07-14T16:13:12-0400

You login using the password and then you have to define the PIN again for each device.

highstream · 2025-07-14T16:21:24-0400

spapakons said:
You login using the password and then you have to define the PIN again for each device.

What I'm saying is that while one minute I could log in MS/Windows on my desktop, the same pw didn't work on the laptop the next. Does that have to do with the set up of the laptop as I received it, such as MS not recognizing the laptop's digital signature with my account?

Megahertz · 2025-07-14T18:18:15-0400

Reset Windows 11 PC

This tutorial will show you how to reset Windows 11 and Remove everything or Keep my files. You can reset Windows 11 when your PC isn’t working well and it’s been a while since you installed an app, driver, or update. Resetting reinstalls Windows 11, but lets you choose whether to keep your...

www.elevenforum.com

There are thee options to reset. Choose the one you want

Solved Resetting "open box" laptop

Member

My Computer

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Member

My Computer

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Wish to be flying

My Computers

Similar threads