“I just upgraded my storage (from 512NVMe to 1TBNVMe). However, all the preinstalled apps (like Omen Gaming Hub) are gone and the Windows is no longer activated. All the settings are gone as well. How do I bring my original Windows back?”
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Since you replaced the original 512GB NVMe SSD with a 1TB NVMe SSD, it sounds like you did a fresh Windows installation rather than cloning your original drive. This resulted in: Loss of preinstalled apps (like Omen Gaming Hub) Windows not being activated Missing original settings How to Restore Your Original Windows Option 1: Reinstall the Original Windows Image from HP (Recommended) HP typically provides a recovery image that restores the laptop to its factory state. Here’s how you can do it: Check for an HP Recovery Partition (If You Still Have the Old SSD) If your old SSD is still functional, you can reinstall it and check if HP Recovery is available. Restart your laptop and press F11 during boot to access HP Recovery Manager. If available, create a recovery USB using HP Cloud Recovery Tool (details below). Use HP Cloud Recovery Tool (If You Have Another PC) Download HP Cloud Recovery Tool from HP’s website. Insert a 16GB or larger USB drive. Run the tool and follow instructions to create a factory recovery USB. Boot from the USB and reinstall HP’s original Windows with all preinstalled apps. Option 2: Re-Activate Windows Manually If you already installed a fresh version of Windows, but it’s not activated: Check Activation Status: Go to Settings → Update & Security → Activation. If it says “Windows is not activated”, follow the next steps. Try Activating with a Digital License: Connect to the internet and restart your PC. If your laptop came with Windows pre-installed, it should activate automatically. If not, click “Troubleshoot” and select “I changed hardware on this device recently” to recover your digital license. Enter Your Original Product Key (If Available): If your original Windows key is on a sticker (usually under the laptop or in BIOS), enter it manually. To check for a BIOS-embedded key, open Command Prompt (Admin) and type: powershell Copy Edit wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey Copy the key and activate Windows in Settings. Option 3: Manually Reinstall Missing Apps If you prefer to keep your new Windows installation, you can manually download missing HP apps: Omen Gaming Hub → Microsoft Store HP Support Assistant → HP’s website HP Drivers & BIOS Updates → Enter your laptop model here Final Thoughts If you want everything exactly as it was, the HP Recovery Tool is the best option. Otherwise, manually activating Windows and reinstalling apps should work.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.Thank you for the question. Did you do a backup to the cloud or a USB drive before making the change? You should be able to restore using the backup. All system information was on the old SSD. Please reach out to HP Support for assistance.
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