Solved Deleted HP Windows 8.1 recovery partition files by mistake

RyanJ

New Member
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4
Hello,
I am using a HP notebook with Windows 8.1. When I purchased the laptop the D drive was set aside for 17gb worth of recovery files. I was attempting to re-partition the harddrive so as to be able to save things to a place other than the main C drive. I hold only base computer knowledge and managed to delete the only visible file within the D drive. I am unsure the name of the file. The file was roughly 230mb so the rest of hidden files remain. My question is as follows.

Is the inability to do a system restore or recovery important?

If so, will I be able to restore my computer at this point?

If not, how can I replace the file in order to do so?

If unable, would a fresh installation of Windows fix my error?

I do not have ready access to the Windows installation discs and codes/keys required so this would be the last resort hopefully. I don't know enough about this subject to even ask another intelligent question (or rather an intelligent question). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
will I be able to restore my computer at this point?

Are you getting an error message when you click on the "Get started" button? For example, "Could not find the recovery environment".

Update and recovery.png

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2293-refresh-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2302-reset-windows-8-a.html

I do not have ready access to the Windows installation discs and codes/keys required so this would be the last resort hopefully.

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Have a look in the recycle bin, if its there just restore it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Is the inability to do a system restore or recovery important?
I believe it is to the degree that I do a full system image backup every week. Has saved me more than once.

If so, will I be able to restore my computer at this point?
No -- not if you removed the recovery image file.

If not, how can I replace the file in order to do so?
If, as already mentioned, it's still in the recycle bin, you may be able to simply restore it. If not, your only recourse would be to order full restore media from the PC manufacturer.

If unable, would a fresh installation of Windows fix my error?
No. Reinstallation will not recreate the recovery image file.

Short of recovering/recreating that file, the best approach at this point would be to do an image backup to an external drive. I use Macrium Reflect to do that, but others have used Acronis and other products equally well. Doing that will give you something to be able to restore from later, should you need it. Also, this approach allows you to reuse the space on the drive formerly taken up by the recovery partition.

I do not have ready access to the Windows installation discs and codes/keys required so this would be the last resort hopefully. I don't know enough about this subject to even ask another intelligent question (or rather an intelligent question). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan[/QUOTE]
 

My Computer

In the event that you wish to reset your computer to Factory settings, the exact same state as when you got the computer and did not create recovery disks you may order them from HP is still available.
If you live in the USA/Canada, call this number... 1-800-334-5144.
If you do not live in the USA/Canada, call the HP business PC support number for the country you live in.
HP Support Worldwide
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
First, I would like to thank everyone for their help. I really appreciate all the great information.

@genet. When clicking on "Get started" I do not get an error message. I was able to advance up to the point where it listed all programs I would have to reinstall. Unfortunately it listed every single program I have installed. I didn't click farther in fear that it would start deleting anything.

@alpha. It sadly is not.

I will attempt to do an image backup once I learn how. Thank you Mark for suggestions of which programs I could use.

I have a follow up question. If I create this image backup does that remove the need to order recovery discs from HP as Nuccii suggested? I am not sure if it would be redundant to have both systems. Of the two, which is more reliable/ easier to use?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
It is a little more work to start, but you really don't need that restore partition if you download and burn an 8.1 disc and write down your license key (unless it is on your computer). Once you have that, you can always download drivers right from HP, in the event you need to do a clean install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
I have a follow up question. If I create this image backup does that remove the need to order recovery discs from HP as Nuccii suggested? I am not sure if it would be redundant to have both systems. Of the two, which is more reliable/ easier to use?

I use both.

Should I need to perform a clean install, use the recovery disks to put the computer back to the same state as when you got it. You would have to reinstall your programs and data.

I use an image backup to put the computer back to my last known good configuration should I screw up. It would include the OS, programs and data. I always keep at least 2 backups just in case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
@RyanJ

From a command prompt(admin)

Type> Reagentc /info

post a pic of cmd windows
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
well, you have NO registered factory image - you did state you deleted the partition - so to be expected..

You could create a Custom Image to use with Windows Refresh and Reset (Recimg.exe is a feature of windows 8)

This program takes that feature and does it in a GUI > RecImg Manager - Backup & Restore for Windows 8 and Mobile Devices!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
I have a follow up question. If I create this image backup does that remove the need to order recovery discs from HP as Nuccii suggested? I am not sure if it would be redundant to have both systems. Of the two, which is more reliable/ easier to use?

As you've found out already, if you want to retain all the programs you installed, a system image, especially on ext media, is the way to go. Make sure the system is virus and malware free and running as well as you think it can or you will just reproduce the problems when you remount it. Creating your own restore points is faster but, again, if you have any problems or viruses, they will be restored.

I have an HP laptop too. The orig recovery partition is to wind the computer back to the day you bought it. So you will have to re-install all your programs and all Windows updates since then, as if you just bought it. Go here - HP Customer Support | HP® Support and enter your model number for a specific support page and bookmark it. This page will be useful if inevitable updates to drivers or software have been issued since you bought it (they are dated w/ version #). I've had to update a number of items incl the BIOS and webcam. Use Option 2 since Option 1 will want to install some redundant scanning software that takes you back to the same page. See my model home page and in screenshot 2, you can see where to order installation discs. Cost is $25 + shipping.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Thank you to everyone who has helped me. I really appreciate all the information, links, and guidance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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