What does unchecking "Backup system files to the recovery drive" do?

Windows10Help · 15 May 2016

I'm trying to create a recovery for my Windows 10, and during the process I get an error saying that: "We can't create the recovery drive: A problem occurred while creating the recovery drive." With some searching, I found that a common way to fix the error is to un-tick the "Backup system files to the recovery drive" message before proceeding to create a recovery drive. I'm wondering what would happen to the recovery/back-up if I did so.

essenbe · 15 May 2016

Have you read this? Recovery Drive - Create in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

From the Tutorial

Note

Back up system files to the recovery drive will require that the USB flash drive is large (at least 8-16 GB) enough for this.

Checking this option will give you a Recover from drive Troubleshoot option in advanced startup that allows you to reinstall Windows from the recovery drive.

Some people are getting a We can't create the recovery drive - A problem occurred while creating the recovery drive error message with Back up system files to the recovery drive checked.

If you have this issue, then leaving Back up system files to the recovery drive unchecked should allow it to successfully create a recovery drive.

NavyLCDR · 15 May 2016

If you uncheck the backup system files option - you basically end up with a recovery drive that will just give you the Windows recovery menu with no means of actually performing a re-installation of Windows from it.