New
#11
Oh derp!
Copying the Recovery folder from a known-good-working computer and pasting it to the not-working computer does not work. C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\ReAgent_Merged.xml1 file is custom created on-the-fly for each machine.
- Check to see if Windows\System32\Recovery\ folder exists;
- if N skip to next step;
- if Y rename it RecoveryBUP or something similar, then continue;
- using 7-Zip or similar navigate the installation media to ...\Sources\ install.wim or install.esd
- double-click either and go to ...\1\Windows\System32\
- click the Recovery folder and tell 7-Zip to extract it to the target machine at C:\Windows\System32\;
- reboot
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > click Recovery in the left menu list;
- under Advanced startup click Restart now
- You should now see the full Recovery console like this:
MBR2GPT.EXE is a Microsoft program included free in Windows. If running Windows 10 v 1803 or later and the objective is to convert MBR to GPT with NO data loss, MBR2GPT.exe will do that. It is fast and works well. MS posted a video of it in use at their site. There is also an updated step-by-step tutorial at WindowsCentral with pictures. The steps follow:
In order to enable UEFI on a UEFI-able system that has been using BIOS because it was running Windows 7 or some such, the MBR (master boot record) first must be converted to GPT (GUID partition table):
- click Command Prompt in the Recovery Console to open an elevated command prompt without the Windows GUI;
- that should bring you to C:\Windows\System32;
- type MBR2GPT.exe /validate;
- type MBR2GPT.exe /convert and await the successful conversion;
- there may be an error message about reagentc.exe, you can ignore that until after you change the CMOS/BIOS settings
now change BIOS to UEFI:
- reboot and tap F12 continuously before the Windows logo appears (or whatever key your device requires to enter the BIOS settings)
- change boot to UEFI from BIOS & reboot
- DONE
Now, ensure the Recovery console is as you want it...
- In Windows launch an elevated command prompt and navigate to C:\Windows\System32
- type reagentc /info and tap [enter], if disabled
- type reagentc /enable and tap [enter]
RESOLVED & DONE with much thanks to SIW2 and NavyLCDR!