Is it ok to use a USB Recovery Drive instead of a System Repair disc?

MeAndMyComputer · 10 May 2017

Today I worked on a computer on which the owner wanted me to show her how to create a system image backup. Since I’m a Macrium Reflect person that’s what I recommended but she was adamant she wanted to use Backup and Restore ((Windows 7). After that a USB Recovery Drive was created. Create Recovery Drive in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials
Will that be ok to use instead of a System Repair disc that the Backup and Restore ((Windows 7) requests to do? She doesn’t have any CD discs and doesn’t want to buy any unless she needs them.

dalchina · 11 May 2017

A recovery drive is a USB version of a system repair disc with an option to include the system files to be able to also reset Windows 10 from the recovery drive.

A system repair disc is the CD/DVD version of a USB recovery drive.

a bootable system repair disc.... only boots to advanced startup options used to help troubleshoot and recover your Windows 10.

(from the tutorials).

I thoroughly agree with you about Macrium.

If she has any other drives or partitions, try asking her how those are protected and what would happen if those failed.

Also ask her how she's going to keep her system image updated.

And you could point out that that strategy will leave her having to do a clean install should her disk fail - not the case with Macrium.

MeAndMyComputer · 11 May 2017

Thanks dalchina. I'll get her on MR eventually: the sooner the better. I'll bring my laptop and show her how easy it is.

dalchina · 11 May 2017

Great idea...

tell sad tales of people in tears with no backups and an unbootable PC....

However Macrium's GUI is geeky - try starting differential imaging ...

Oh, and give her the tip about setting the drive letter in Disk Management for a USB drive late in the alphabet so it's always consistent.

maranna · 11 May 2017

I have had MR free forever and just wanted to cast my vote for the program. It is easy to use and is very reliable.
Tell your client to read this thread.

Bree · 11 May 2017

When you make a Recovery Drive you have the option to include the system files, which allows you to reinstall Windows if required. For a manufacturer's pre-installed Windows these system files may well include any OEM-specific drivers, software and customisations.

The System Repair Disk doesn't include the system files, but has the same recovery environment as a recovery drive. If you don't include system file it's identical. You can use either to restore a system image (and I have).

MeAndMyComputer · 11 May 2017

[QUOTE=dalchina;1019193]Great idea...

tell sad tales of people in tears with no backups and an unbootable PC....
--- Boy how I wish the people I help would take the time to get it.
--- But I know what's wrong: they have the "it won't happen to me syndrome" I could expand on that but I'm sure all of you have your stories also.
--- I've seen many times when someone had tears in their eyes and family members arguing with each other.
You know I'm just a simple computer user but I volunteer at our senior center and help our senior citizen's as I am a senior citizen myself.

dalchina · 12 May 2017

Bree said:

When you make a Recovery Drive you have the option to include the system files, which allows you to reinstall Windows if required.

The System Repair Disk doesn't include the system files, but has the same recovery environment as a recovery drive. If you don't include system file it's identical. .

Major point is- these are far less comprehensive than a disk image. For naive users it's a bit misleading- i.e. their installed programs and related data on 'C:' aren't protected, as you know, but they may not make the distinction.