What gets removed from a computer when you do a factory reset?

I have a Windows 8.1 HP laptop, and I was wondering what gets erased from the hard drive when you do a factory rest, and if it would be possible to recover the files.
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Your hard drive, everything except the hidden restore partition, is wiped and set back to the way it was when it was shipped from the factory. I twould not be possible to recover the files. You need to back up any data first. Windows Easy Transfer Wizard is a great little utility to back up your data first.
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