Bootable disk? Recovery disk? What do I need?

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  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
       #1

    Bootable disk? Recovery disk? What do I need?


    I have Win 10 64bit. I was told that I need to create a bootable disk on a USB by someone in our local store. When I asked him how many GB's he said in the 20's. I did not buy it, but much later went back and a different guy said 28GB but I should get larger just in case.

    Doing a search, I cannot see what would take up 20+GB's. For a bootable I see that it would take 8GB. What would they be talking about?

    Do I also need a Recovery disk?

    I am not sure what I should be doing...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #2

    megabyte said:
    I have Win 10 64bit. I was told that I need to create a bootable disk on a USB by someone in our local store. When I asked him how many GB's he said in the 20's. I did not buy it, but much later went back and a different guy said 28GB but I should get larger just in case.

    Doing a search, I cannot see what would take up 20+GB's. For a bootable I see that it would take 8GB. What would they be talking about?

    Do I also need a Recovery disk?

    I am not sure what I should be doing...
    Hi.
    One of our members has developed a custom recovery media, which you can find here:
    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

    It would fit on a 2GB stick.

    If you want the W10 operating system (for future installation or DISM procedures) it would fit on an 8Gb stick.

    If you're talking about creating bootable recovery media from an OEM using their pre-installed software, it could be slightly larger, but should still fit on an 8GB stick.

    Images of your entire hard drive should be kept on an external hard drive.

    Hope that helps.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,124
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #3

    I believe you are looking to make a Windows OEM Recovery Drive...
    Control Panel > Recovery > Create a Recovery Drive

    You can test the size of USB needed by inserting any USB - if not larger enough - it will tell you the needed size...
    For the Price of USB's - I would just opt for a 32GB USB - as that is the Max Size Supported By UEFI Removable Media ..
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I upgraded from Win 7 to the free Win 10.

    In your opinion, what are all of the things that are necessary for me to do ?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    megabyte said:
    I upgraded from Win 7 to the free Win 10.

    In your opinion, what are all of the things that are necessary for me to do ?
    This is what I do for my systems, it requires an 8 GB USB flash drive.

    Make a bootable USB flash drive with the Media Creation Tool:
    Windows 10

    Replace the boot.wim file on the Windows 10 USB flash drive with the boot.wim file from Kyhi's recovery drive (read the quote in the middle of this OP):
    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

    Export the drivers for the computer by doing the following:
    1. Create a folder on the Windows 10 USB flash drive. You can name it anything, let's use Drivers for an example.
    2. Right click on the start icon, select Command Prompt (Admin).
    3. In the command prompt window run:
    DISM.exe /Online /Export-Driver /Destination:E:\Drivers

    The path in red will be to the folder you created on the USB flash drive.

    4. Make sure your computer can boot from the flash drive.

    You now have the tools to fix just about whatever would go wrong with your computer and you have the ability to re-install Windows from scratch and have any drivers available that might be unique to your computer.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Navy LCDR, I have to spend some time with this. It is beyond my comfort zone, but I will do it. I know you say it is all I need, but just in case I mess up, can I do both the OEM Recovery Drive and what you have suggested all on the same USB drive?
    Also, I am assuming I should not use this USB drive for anything else. Is that correct?

    Lastly, are any of the suggested known also as 'Create a system repair disk' which is what I am used to?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    You cannot do the OEM recovery drive and the Windows installation/Kyhi recovery drive on the same USB flash drive. They have to be on two separate flash drives.

    You can also use the USB flash drive for regular file storage. You just can't use the same USB flash drive for two separate operations that require it to be bootable. Both the OEM recovery drive and the Windows 10 installation/Kyhi recovery drive require booting from the USB flash drive, so they cannot both be on the same one.

    Both the OEM recovery drive and the Windows 10 installation/Kyhi recovery drive are system repair disks.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Okay, I understand now. Thank you so much.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
       #9

    To the OP. Also remember to back up your data just in case.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    NavyLCDR said:
    4. Make sure your computer can boot from the flash drive.
    I forgot to get back to you. All went well except I forgot to test booting from the flash drive. Could you please give me the steps to do this? I am worried that I might make a mess of things, which would not be the first time!
      My Computer


 

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