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How to set up a Recovery Drive for Windows 10?

Raul Sarte

Posted on

May 12, 2021

Your Windows 10 system will not start and cannot repair itself. In most cases, you will be lucky, but if you have not created a recovery drive, it will be unfortunate. The recovery drive stores a copy of the Windows 10 environment on another source (such as a DVD or USB drive). Then, if Windows 10 runs kerflooey, you can restore it from that drive.

The downside is that personal files and desktop applications won’t come along for the ride, but you should already be backing up your personal files. At the very least, a recovery drive will be able to bring Windows 10 back to a bootable and working state. Here’s how to get started.

Set Up a Recovery Drive

First, you’ll want to set up the Recovery Drive while Windows is still alive and working so you capture it at its best. Connect a USB drive or insert a DVD into your computer. Type Recovery Drive in the search field and click Create a recovery drive.

Alternatively, open the Control Panel in icon view, click the icon for Recovery, and click the Create a recovery drive link. Answer Yes if Windows asks if you want to allow this app to make changes to your device. At the Create a recovery drive screen, check the box for Back up system files to the recovery drive, then click Next.

Select the Drive

Wait for Windows to pick up the USB drive or DVD. If multiple drives appear, select the one you want to use. Click Next.

Create the Recovery Drive

The next screen tells you that everything on the recovery drive will be deleted, so make sure no needed files are on the USB drive or DVD. Click Create and the recovery drive will be made. This process may take a long time, so be patient. After the drive has been created, click Finish.

Using the Recovery Drive

Now, let’s fast forward to a time when Windows is so damaged that it’s unable to load or repair itself. Insert your recovery USB drive or DVD into your computer. Upon boot-up, press the appropriate key to boot from the USB drive or DVD instead of your hard drive.

Select a Language

At the keyboard layout screen, select the keyboard for your language or country. Press Enter.

Recover From a Drive

Now click Recover from a Drive to tell the computer to take the version of Windows on your drive. Once again, this means all your files and apps will be removed after the operating system is reinstalled.

Remove Files

You have the option to remove only files or completely wipe the operating system, if you were planning to recycle the computer. Since you’re planning to keep this machine, click Just remove my files.

Recover Windows

The final step is to click Recover. The computer will warn you one more time that all personal files will be deleted and any apps that did not come with the OS will be removed. Furthermore, if you partitioned your hard drive, this will restore it to its original state, which means you’ll have to set up the partition again.

Finalize recovery

Windows will then tell you that it’s recovering your PC. When finished, Windows is officially reinstalled.

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