Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
Latest activity
Tutorials
Search titles only
By:
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search titles only
By:
Menu
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Forums
Windows 8 Forums
Tutorials
Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Brink" data-source="post: 76775" data-attributes="member: 19"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>How to Create a USB Recovery Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1</strong></span></p><p></p><p></p><p>[info]If you run into problems with your PC, a USB recovery drive can help you troubleshoot and fix those problems, even if your PC won't start.</p><p></p><p>This will show you how to create a bootable <strong>recovery</strong> (system repair) <strong>USB flash drive </strong>in <strong>Windows 8</strong> to use to boot to the <a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html"><strong>system recovery options</strong></a> that can be used to help recover Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1.</p><p></p><p>This is basically the same thing as a <strong><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html">system repair disc</a></strong>, but is on a bootable USB flash drive instead.</p><p></p><p>You must be logged in as an <strong>administrator</strong> to be able to create a recovery drive.</p><p></p><p>[/info][note]A recovery USB flash drive <strong>cannot be used to install Windows 8 </strong>unless this is an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, and you checked the <strong>Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive </strong>box at <strong>step 5</strong> below.</p><p></p><p>If your PC came with Windows 8 and you upgraded it to Windows 8.1, your recovery drive will include Windows 8, and you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 after you refresh or reset your PC.</p><p></p><p>A created <strong>32-bit </strong>recovery USB flash drive can only be created in a 32-bit Windows 8, and used to repair a 32-bit Windows 8.</p><p></p><p>A created <strong>64-bit </strong>recovery USB flash drive can only be created in a 64-bit Windows 8, and used to repair a 64-bit Windows 8.</p><p></p><p>[/note]</p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12px">EXAMPLE:</span> System Recovery Options</strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000">NOTE:</span> </strong><em>After you boot from the <strong>recovery USB flash drive</strong>, you will need to select your language and keyboard layout (if displayed) for Windows 8, then select <strong>Troubleshoot </strong>to see the <strong><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html">system recovery options</a></strong></em>.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4770[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4771[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">(On some newer OEM PC's with Windows 8 preinstalled, you may have the option to reinstall in the OEM manufacturer's tools like below if the Recovery Partition is still in place.)</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]28376[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]18431[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 22px"><span style="color: #006400">Here's How:</span></span></strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>1.</strong></span> Connect a <strong>USB flash drive </strong>that is at least <strong>256 MB</strong> (<strong>8 GB</strong> if copying the recovery partition) in size, then do either <strong>step 2 or 3</strong> below.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12px">2.</span></strong> Press the :winkey:<strong> + R</strong> keys, type <strong>RecoveryDrive.exe</strong>, press Enter, and go to <strong>step 4</strong> below.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 12px">3.</span></strong> Open the <strong><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2627-control-panel-open-windows-8-a.html">Control Panel (icons view)</a></strong>, and click/tap on the <strong>Recovery</strong> icon.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">A) Click/tap on the <strong>Create a recovery drive</strong> link, and go to <strong>step 4</strong> below. (see screenshot below)</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px">[ATTACH]6453[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>4. </strong></span>If prompted by <strong><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5509-user-account-control-uac-change-settings-windows-8-a.html">UAC</a></strong>, then click/tap on <strong>Yes</strong>.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>5. </strong></span>Click/tap on <strong>Next</strong>. (see screenshot below)</p><p></p><p>[NOTE]If you have a store bought OEM computer that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, then you could also check the <strong>Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive</strong> box to be able to use the recovery USB flash drive to do a factory restore/recovery of Windows 8.</p><p></p><p>If you do not have an OEM recovery partition, then the <strong>Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive </strong>option will be grayed out.</p><p></p><p>[/NOTE][warn]If you checked the <strong>Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive</strong> box, then once the Recovery Media creation has completed, you will have an option to delete the recovery partition at <strong>step 10</strong> below. On most systems, this partition is about 10G in size. </p><p></p><p>[/warn]</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4774[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>6.</strong></span> Select a USB flash drive at least 256 MB in size that you would like to make a bootable recovery drive with, and click/tap on<strong> Next</strong>. (see screenshot below)</p><p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000">WARNING:</span></strong> <em>Everything on the selected USB flash drive will be deleted, so be sure to backup anything on it that you do not want to lose first</em>.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4775[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>7.</strong></span> Click/tap on <strong>Create</strong>. (see screenshot below)</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000"><strong>WARNING:</strong></span><em> T<em>his </em>is your last chance to backup anything on the USB flash drive that you do not want to lose before doing this</em>.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4776[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>8.</strong></span> The USB recovery drive will now be created. (see screenshot below)</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4777[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>9. </strong></span>Do <strong>step 10</strong> or <strong>step 11</strong> below for what you would like to do.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>10. <span style="color: #0000cd">If you wanted to Delete the Recovery Partition</span></strong></span></p><p>[warn]It is recommended to<strong><span style="color: #ff0000"> NOT DELETE</span> the recovery partition</strong>. It has been reported by many that they were unable to restore Windows 8 to the hard drive using the recovery USB drive without the OEM factory recovery partition still intact.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>[/warn]</p><p style="margin-left: 20px">A) If you checked the <strong>Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive</strong> box at <strong>step 5</strong> above, click/tap on the <strong>Delete the recovery partition</strong> link. (see screenshot below)</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px">[ATTACH]58097[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">B) Click/tap on <strong>Delete</strong> to confirm. (see screenshot below)</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px">[ATTACH]58098[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">C) Click/tap on <strong>Finish</strong>. (see screenshots below)</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px">[ATTACH]58099[/ATTACH]</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px"></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>11.</strong></span> Click/tap on <strong>Finish</strong>. (see screenshot below)</p><p style="margin-left: 20px"></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">[ATTACH]4778[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>That's it,</p><p>Shawn</p><p></p><p></p><p>[rel]</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html">How to Create a "System Repair Disc" in Windows 8</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html">How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with the Windows 8 ISO</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4943-startup-options-menu-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html">How to Create a "Startup Options Menu" Shortcut in Windows 8</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html">How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4924-advanced-startup-settings-boot-windows-8-a.html">How to Boot to the Advanced Windows "Startup Settings" in Windows 8</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html">How to Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive for Installing Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/53296-usb-drive-boot-within-windows-8-a.html">How to Boot from a USB Drive within Windows 8 and 8.1</a></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/53297-usb-drive-boot-surface.html">How to Boot from a USB Drive on Surface</a></li> </ul><p>[/rel]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Brink, post: 76775, member: 19"] [CENTER][SIZE=4][B]How to Create a USB Recovery Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER] [info]If you run into problems with your PC, a USB recovery drive can help you troubleshoot and fix those problems, even if your PC won't start. This will show you how to create a bootable [B]recovery[/B] (system repair) [B]USB flash drive [/B]in [B]Windows 8[/B] to use to boot to the [URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html'][B]system recovery options[/B][/URL] that can be used to help recover Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1. This is basically the same thing as a [B][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html']system repair disc[/URL][/B], but is on a bootable USB flash drive instead. You must be logged in as an [B]administrator[/B] to be able to create a recovery drive. [/info][note]A recovery USB flash drive [B]cannot be used to install Windows 8 [/B]unless this is an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, and you checked the [B]Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive [/B]box at [B]step 5[/B] below. If your PC came with Windows 8 and you upgraded it to Windows 8.1, your recovery drive will include Windows 8, and you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 after you refresh or reset your PC. A created [B]32-bit [/B]recovery USB flash drive can only be created in a 32-bit Windows 8, and used to repair a 32-bit Windows 8. A created [B]64-bit [/B]recovery USB flash drive can only be created in a 64-bit Windows 8, and used to repair a 64-bit Windows 8. [/note] [B][SIZE=3]EXAMPLE:[/SIZE] System Recovery Options [COLOR=#ff0000]NOTE:[/COLOR] [/B][I]After you boot from the [B]recovery USB flash drive[/B], you will need to select your language and keyboard layout (if displayed) for Windows 8, then select [B]Troubleshoot [/B]to see the [B][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html']system recovery options[/URL][/B][/I]. [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4770[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4771[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT](On some newer OEM PC's with Windows 8 preinstalled, you may have the option to reinstall in the OEM manufacturer's tools like below if the Recovery Partition is still in place.)[/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]28376[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]18431[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [B][SIZE=6][COLOR=#006400]Here's How:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] [SIZE=3][B]1.[/B][/SIZE] Connect a [B]USB flash drive [/B]that is at least [B]256 MB[/B] ([B]8 GB[/B] if copying the recovery partition) in size, then do either [B]step 2 or 3[/B] below. [B][SIZE=3]2.[/SIZE][/B] Press the :winkey:[B] + R[/B] keys, type [B]RecoveryDrive.exe[/B], press Enter, and go to [B]step 4[/B] below. [B][SIZE=3]3.[/SIZE][/B] Open the [B][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2627-control-panel-open-windows-8-a.html']Control Panel (icons view)[/URL][/B], and click/tap on the [B]Recovery[/B] icon. [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT]A) Click/tap on the [B]Create a recovery drive[/B] link, and go to [B]step 4[/B] below. (see screenshot below)[/INDENT] [INDENT=2][/INDENT] [INDENT=2][ATTACH]6453[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [SIZE=3][B]4. [/B][/SIZE]If prompted by [B][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5509-user-account-control-uac-change-settings-windows-8-a.html']UAC[/URL][/B], then click/tap on [B]Yes[/B]. [SIZE=3][B]5. [/B][/SIZE]Click/tap on [B]Next[/B]. (see screenshot below) [NOTE]If you have a store bought OEM computer that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, then you could also check the [B]Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive[/B] box to be able to use the recovery USB flash drive to do a factory restore/recovery of Windows 8. If you do not have an OEM recovery partition, then the [B]Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive [/B]option will be grayed out. [/NOTE][warn]If you checked the [B]Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive[/B] box, then once the Recovery Media creation has completed, you will have an option to delete the recovery partition at [B]step 10[/B] below. On most systems, this partition is about 10G in size. [/warn] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4774[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [SIZE=3][B]6.[/B][/SIZE] Select a USB flash drive at least 256 MB in size that you would like to make a bootable recovery drive with, and click/tap on[B] Next[/B]. (see screenshot below) [B][COLOR=#ff0000]WARNING:[/COLOR][/B] [I]Everything on the selected USB flash drive will be deleted, so be sure to backup anything on it that you do not want to lose first[/I]. [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4775[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [SIZE=3][B]7.[/B][/SIZE] Click/tap on [B]Create[/B]. (see screenshot below) [COLOR=#ff0000][B]WARNING:[/B][/COLOR][I] T[I]his [/I]is your last chance to backup anything on the USB flash drive that you do not want to lose before doing this[/I]. [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4776[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [SIZE=3][B]8.[/B][/SIZE] The USB recovery drive will now be created. (see screenshot below) [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4777[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [SIZE=3][B]9. [/B][/SIZE]Do [B]step 10[/B] or [B]step 11[/B] below for what you would like to do. [SIZE=3][B]10. [COLOR=#0000cd]If you wanted to Delete the Recovery Partition[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] [warn]It is recommended to[B][COLOR=#ff0000] NOT DELETE[/COLOR] the recovery partition[/B]. It has been reported by many that they were unable to restore Windows 8 to the hard drive using the recovery USB drive without the OEM factory recovery partition still intact. [/warn] [INDENT]A) If you checked the [B]Copy contents from the recovery partition to the recovery drive[/B] box at [B]step 5[/B] above, click/tap on the [B]Delete the recovery partition[/B] link. (see screenshot below)[/INDENT] [INDENT=2][/INDENT] [INDENT=2][ATTACH]58097[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT]B) Click/tap on [B]Delete[/B] to confirm. (see screenshot below)[/INDENT] [INDENT=2][/INDENT] [INDENT=2][ATTACH]58098[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT]C) Click/tap on [B]Finish[/B]. (see screenshots below)[/INDENT] [INDENT=2][/INDENT] [INDENT=2][ATTACH]58099[/ATTACH][/INDENT] [INDENT=2][/INDENT] [SIZE=3][B]11.[/B][/SIZE] Click/tap on [B]Finish[/B]. (see screenshot below) [INDENT][/INDENT] [INDENT][ATTACH]4778[/ATTACH][/INDENT] That's it, Shawn [rel] [LIST] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html']How to Create a "System Repair Disc" in Windows 8[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html']How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with the Windows 8 ISO[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4943-startup-options-menu-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html']How to Create a "Startup Options Menu" Shortcut in Windows 8[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html']How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4924-advanced-startup-settings-boot-windows-8-a.html']How to Boot to the Advanced Windows "Startup Settings" in Windows 8[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html']How to Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive for Installing Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/53296-usb-drive-boot-within-windows-8-a.html']How to Boot from a USB Drive within Windows 8 and 8.1[/URL] [*][URL='http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/53297-usb-drive-boot-surface.html']How to Boot from a USB Drive on Surface[/URL] [/LIST] [/rel] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Windows 8 Forums
Tutorials
Recovery Drive - Create with USB Flash Drive in Windows 8
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
What's new
Log in
Register
Search
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top