Create Recovery Drive in Windows 10  

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  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #120

    Thanks a lot guys. That clarifies things for me. I'll just keep the recovery drive with the tools sans system files. Maybe one day it will work with system files. I'm curious though, I created an image to an external drive when I first got the laptop, about a month ago. I did this in windows 10. Does anyone know how? I just cant remember how I ended up with this. Also, with regards to the partitions I see on the C: drive in disk mgmt, there are 2 Dell recovery partitions that were factory created. Would I be able to use the USB recovery drive to access these and restore Windows and factory settings? I talked to Alienware. They were created with AlienRespawn, a third party back up and recovery tool that apparently does not work properly with Win 10 yet. I will check out Macrium as you guys suggested. With this, would I be able to create a back up and in the event of complete HDD failure, restore my computer and Windows and files etc... onto a brand new HDD? Thanks again for the advice.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 134,237
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 Build 22631.3296
       #121

    mcinturf said:
    . I will check out Macrium as you guys suggested. With this, would I be able to create a back up and in the event of complete HDD failure, restore my computer and Windows and files etc... onto a brand new HDD? Thanks again for the advice.
    Yes on Macrium Reflect, You install it 1st on your hard drive, then make a Rescue Media USB sick or on a DVD depending on your choice. This is a Free program. You have to make the Rescue disk in order to make sure you can access your image files if you can't boot to your Windows 10 computer. You also should keep all your image backups on a 2nd drive, internal or external. but not on your C-Drive. You also can restore your system to a new HDD or SSD
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #122

    I've just created a Windows recovery USB recovery drive (up until reading this tutorial I thought that the only option was to create a DVD/CD).

    One thing unrelated to this that surprised me though... I would have thought a Windows 8.1 install disc (retail DVD) of the appropriate flavour (32 or 64bit) would have worked but apparently not. It goes through all the recovery steps and allows you to select an image to restore and even begins the restore but then gives a 'Failed' error message saying that the recovery media is not the same as that used to create the image. I honestly thought a W7/W8/8.1 disc would all have been the same in the repair options offered.

    The bootable drive I created worked first time I tested it. Yea.

    I'm really putting W10's disk imaging and recovery through its paces as I have to be 100% confident in its abilities... and so far its looking good :)
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  4. Posts : 63
    Windows 10
       #123

    Hi,
    Windows 10 Recovery Flash drive
    I read some reports that San Disk flash drives were a problem.
    I also read where the drive could be recognized if it was already connected when the computer was booted.
    I did successfully use a Sandisk 16GB connected at boot time.
    I had to uncheck Backup System files to the recovery .
    I was not able to get it recognized until I had it connected when the computer was booted.
    Win 10
    HP envy 700-414
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 459
    Windows 8&10
       #124

    Have I been out of touch or has the way a Recovery Drive is created completely changed?

    Factory image has been replaced by a Windows 10 image created on the fly, a Recover option added which will restore back to bare metal using the Windows 10 files created from your current install without any personal data?

    I start the utility from going to Windows\System32 and use the RecoveryDrive.exe. Since the drive shows the build, using one from 10240 may not work on a 10586 system.

    And just another thought, I am not sure but trying to reuse a prior recovery drive may cause problems when trying to create a new one. Cleaning it first may help.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,657
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #125

    Hello Saltgrass, :)

    Yep, creating a recovery drive in Windows 10 has changed a bit from Windows 8.1.

    If you don't check the Back up system files to the recovery drive box, then the USB can only be used to boot to advanced startup options.

    If you do check it, then you'll be able to select Troubleshoot -> Recover from a drive from advanced startup options to reinstall (reset) Windows.
    Last edited by Brink; 23 Jan 2016 at 13:00.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 459
    Windows 8&10
       #126

    OK, I just remember the 8.1 option saying to copy the Recovery Partition Contents, not the system files, and I don't remember that option being available on a Non-OEM system.

    Create Recovery Drive in Windows 10-recovery-drive.jpg
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  8. Posts : 68,657
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #127

    That's correct. Instead of a factory recovery option only on OEM PCs, Windows 10 now has a way to reset Windows 10 on all PCs.

    It would be nice if this would have an option to include a custom refresh image as well to be able to restore Windows 10 back to the same state as when the recovery drive was created.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #128

    Brink said:
    It would be nice if this would have an option to include a custom refresh image as well to be able to restore Windows 10 back to the same state as when the recovery drive was created.
    I imagine Microsoft would say that the official way to do this is now provisioning packages, although I realise it's not the same thing and has limitations.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #129

    Hi. Am I correct in saying that a Recovery Drive can be used in the event that a hard drive fails and has to be replaced? The reason I ask is that I have tested the process on two separate machines both with OEM installations of Windows 7 that I have upgraded (keep nothing) to Windows 10. In both cases I had trouble creating the drive, but after trying various USB drives I eventually got it to work by simply using a different USB port (even though all the USB drives were recognised in Windows Explorer when attached to the original port, weird!). Having created the Recovery Drive I swapped the internal hard drive out for a completely blank (binary zero'd) drive and booted to the Recovery Drive. On one of the machines I don't get the "Recover from a drive" option. On the other I get the option but, having completed the recover, the machines boots to a "An operating system wasn't found." message. Neither machines have a UEFI BIOS or secure boot options. All drives are MBR, not GPT. Is it simply a case of booting to the Recovery Drive and following the prompts, or are you supposed to prep a new drive first? Cheers.
      My Computer


 

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