How can you ascertain whether an HP device has been factory reset?

To determine whether an HP device has undergone a factory reset, observing the initial setup prompts upon booting for the first time is a key indicator. A factory reset typically restores the device to its original settings as if it were new, which includes reloading the operating system and software to their default states. As a result, after a factory reset, the next time the device is powered on, the user will encounter initial setup prompts prompting them to configure settings like language, keyboard layout, and user accounts. This is a clear sign that the device is no longer holding any previous user data or settings.

In contrast, checking the power settings would not provide any information about a factory reset, as these settings can be changed at any time and do not indicate the state of the operating system. Reviewing software updates history may show changes that have occurred after the device was last reset, but it does not directly indicate whether the device was restored to factory settings. Connecting the device to a network might lead to downloading updates or accessing online accounts, but it does not provide evidence of whether the device has been reset recently or not. Therefore, noticing those initial setup prompts is the most reliable way to ascertain a factory reset has occurred.