Solved Unable to use built-in ASUS recovery partition

Thank you for your replies!

Yes.

But if you have an ASUS computer, then you should use the Asus Backtracker utility.

Unfortunately this is one of the many things I have already tried. See below:
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64bit)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS S550C
    CPU
    i7
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 740M
    Hard Drives
    1TB + 24GB(SSD)
your winre is set to the new windows 8.1 RE (5) when it should be (2)

Thanks. I tried this and got the following error:
Capture.PNG

I also mounted the 900MB partition to see why the "path can't be found". The "Recovery" folder is there but it is empty.
Capture2.PNG

Capture3.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64bit)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS S550C
    CPU
    i7
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 740M
    Hard Drives
    1TB + 24GB(SSD)
Interestingly, I am able to "copy recovery partition" when making a recovery drive.

Capture4.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (64bit)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS S550C
    CPU
    i7
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia 740M
    Hard Drives
    1TB + 24GB(SSD)
explore partition 1 also unhide protected system files

that is (was) a bootable partition

Have you tested the recovery media - boot and try to reset?

if it will fail's -- it will do so before you are able to do any harm
 

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
View attachment 62988

View attachment 62989
Like many others here, when I try to Reset the system to factory settings on my Asus X75A, it errors with the message that the partition is missing. I guess it is the Windows 8.1 update that has done that. I have taken some screen shots of what is going on. I have tried the Backtracker program and the Windows Reset route but they both cannot see the relevant Recovery partition. I have tried the various suggestions here but have got nowhere. I'm sure it is just something that needs doing that I haven't done. The Reagentc /info result seems to say that all is in order, so I am now tearing my hair out for a solution, if someone could be so kind as to point me in the right direction. Thanking you in advance.
Ken

Whoa!! Just spotted post #462 that Marcus wrote:
"Has anyone tried the Asus Recovery Utility specifically designed for users who are unable to downgrade? Does it work? Here's the link ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download ASUS Recovery
Also, the Asus FAQ article about downgrading issues and Asus Recovery ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support-"

I decided to try it, thinking I was going to end up with the same result. But no, the process went further and it is finally Resetting and at 14%!! Woo hoo!! Nice one, Marcus! I downloaded the first file for downgrading Win 8.1 to Win 8 and I did not receive a message about not finding the Recovery Partition. It's looking promising so far... watch this space!

Update... it is now installed, the Recovery Partition worked fine. Many thanks to all those who have contributed here, without whom I would not have achieved my goal. Best wishes to all!!

Thanks! bro. I was facing the same recovery issue like the rest, with your link I am already at recovering process. Guess Asus did what they promise finding a way to downgrade 8.1 to 8.0 default. Anyway, thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 & 8
@alpha,

You might like to try the new version. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ta450qkrrpuaxlh/RE64v7b.zip

Added 32 bit version https://www.dropbox.com/s/cdaszlqki33pkdz/RE86v7b.zip

It can find winre.wim and create bios/efi bootable winpe media and .iso file.

It will include windows repair options and also any of the popular imaging and partitioning programs which you may have installed.


Extract to C:\RE64v2 like this:

View attachment 35596


For most people, just rt click and run as admin on the .cmd file:

View attachment 35597







Note for advanced users :

If you want to use your own custom/pre modified winre.wim or Dart boot.wim , just copy it into the RE64v2 folder ...then run as admin on the .cmd file:

View attachment 35598

Works for 64 bit 7/8/8.1

hi, where can i get those re*** files?
thx! b.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7, 8
Hi, guys. I'm new here, but i've been following this thread and i want to ask you one question. Is it possible to make a back up from another ASUS laptop and recovery that back up on my own laptop? Please, i need help, my recovery partition was deleted and a different Windows 8.1 was installed on my computer, so i've lost the option to make a factory reset. :cry:
My laptop is an ASUS VivoBook S451LN and the other laptop i have access to is an ASUS VivoBook V551LB. I know both laptops are pretty similar.
I'll be glad if someone knows if that procedure is possible. I'll be eternally grateful . Thank you. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I need some Help. I have an Asus M32BF Desktop PC and my windows PC had randomly deleted BootManager and I was unable to log back on to windows or even boot it. I tried resetting it with the Partition drive which was recovery but I had got the same error that Qub1 got. And I cannot even reset my PC to factory settings. I havent messed with the format partitions either and It still isnt working. Ive tried looking for help and Im still confused. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M32BF Desktop PC
    CPU
    AMD A10-6700 APU 3.7Ghz @ 4MB Cache
    Motherboard
    Asus Motherboard.
    Memory
    8GB Kingston DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA Geforce GTX 750 TI SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer S240HL Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB Hard Drive
    PSU
    300W PSU
    Keyboard
    Roccat Arvo Compact Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Roccat LUA Gaming Mouse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
can i ask for the SIW2 file :)

The file you’re looking for has been moved or deleted.
Please see this article for details on why a shared link might stop working.




i have ASUS x551m and i cannot reset or recover or even install windows 7 on it.

Desperately need your help. Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Hi Guys,

Spent 2 days on this with no good news. Story goes as follows, got a new Asus UX303LN which came with win 8.1 (can't remember which flavor!). I proceeded to perform an upgrade to windows 10 via the windows prompt. Upgrade went great but I wanted a fresh install of windows 10. so I made sure it was activated and then did a clean install via the media creation tool. Now, i'm on a fresh install on windows 10 but it just wont activate! So i'm trying to go back to a factory default installation and it keeps telling me it can't find the installation media! I didn't delete any partitions and I've checked that the recovery partitions are there. I'll post some of my info here for reference :

DISKPART> list part

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 System 100 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Recovery 900 MB 101 MB
Partition 3 Reserved 128 MB 1001 MB
Partition 4 Primary 200 GB 1129 MB
Partition 5 Primary 710 GB 201 GB
Partition 6 Recovery 20 GB 911 GB

C:\Windows\system32>reagentc /info
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
Information:

Windows RE status: Enabled
Windows RE location: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recove
ry\WindowsRE
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: 3b833b12-a6a5-11e4-a4d5-e351342d27
f0
Recovery image location: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition6\Recove
ryImage
Recovery image index: 1
Custom image location:
Custom image index: 0

REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

DISKPART> select disk 0

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> select par 6

Partition 6 is now the selected partition.

DISKPART> assign letter=R

DiskPart successfully assigned the drive letter or mount point.

DISKPART> exit

Leaving DiskPart...

C:\Windows\system32>r:

R:\>dir /a
Volume in drive R is Restore
Volume Serial Number is 8C73-DA75

Directory of R:\

09/01/2015 06:57 AM <DIR> Recovery
01/28/2015 01:15 PM <DIR> RecoveryBoot
08/30/2015 01:39 AM <DIR> RecoveryImage
01/28/2015 12:26 PM <DIR> System Volume Information
0 File(s) 0 bytes
4 Dir(s) 9,053,032,448 bytes free

R:\>cd RecoveryImage

R:\RecoveryImage>dir /a
Volume in drive R is Restore
Volume Serial Number is 8C73-DA75

Directory of R:\RecoveryImage

08/30/2015 01:39 AM <DIR> .
08/30/2015 01:39 AM <DIR> ..
08/30/2015 01:39 AM 322 DONOTREPLACE.txt
01/28/2015 01:26 PM 11,753,605,411 install.wim
2 File(s) 11,753,605,733 bytes
2 Dir(s) 9,053,032,448 bytes free

R:\RecoveryImage>

I've gone through this whole thread I've tried all the suggestions that I thought might work but no go so far. Asus backtracker doesn't work. Keeps saying that it only works on an asus notebook. The asus recovery utility gives the same issue, that it doesn't find any media but the wim file is there. The other option I can think of would be to build the wim file into a bootable usb disk using the SIW2 file. Hope you guys can help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
@poiupoiu:

Step One:

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

Step Two:

To Upgrade to Windows 10 with USB Installation Media

7. Run the setup.exe file to start Windows 10 Setup. (see screenshot below)

 

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.
Hi Genet, thanks downloading win 8.1 installation now and will try. So what you're saying is there is no way for me to use the restore partition in my notebook to restore to factory defaults since i'm not on Windows 10 Clean install?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
is there is no way for me to use the restore partition in my notebook to restore to factory defaults

It should work somehow (by manually copying the recovery image, etc.), but I do not know how to do it.

So this is easy to do:

1. Clean install Windows 8.1 from USB flash drive.

2. You do not have to install any updates from Windows Update.

3. To Upgrade to Windows 10 with USB Installation Media

"7. Run the setup.exe file to start Windows 10 Setup."
 

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.
As long as the windows 8/8.1 Recovery Image Partition is still intact - yes you can create factory recovery media manually

Some OEM's even make the recovery image partition bootable
 

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
is there is no way for me to use the restore partition in my notebook to restore to factory defaults

It should work somehow (by manually copying the recovery image, etc.), but I do not know how to do it.

So this is easy to do:

1. Clean install Windows 8.1 from USB flash drive.

2. You do not have to install any updates from Windows Update.

3. To Upgrade to Windows 10 with USB Installation Media

"7. Run the setup.exe file to start Windows 10 Setup."

Thanks Genet, using the USB Installation Media comes up with a window asking me for the Product Key and i can't skip it. I've checked and my windows 8.1 is 'permanantly activated' (Asus OEM windows single language). Is there a reason why its asking? If i can't skip the product key check, i'll have to download the whole windows 10 installation again.

Hi KYHI, i've been trying to find a way to create factory recovery media manually and have failed miserably. How can i go about doing it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
using the USB Installation Media comes up with a window asking me for the Product Key and i can't skip it. I've checked and my windows 8.1 is 'permanantly activated' (Asus OEM windows single language). Is there a reason why its asking?

You have downloaded the wrong version.

I do not know which version you need to download.

Windows 10 Home
-or-
Windows 10 Home Single Language

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

What edition of Windows will I get as part of this free upgrade?

From Edition: Windows 8.1 x) To Edition: Windows 10 Home

x) Also applies to Windows 8.1 country specific editions, Windows 8.1 Single Language, Windows 8.1 with Bing.

Windows_10_Download_Tool-2.png
 

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.
Yup, you're right genet, apparently i'm supposed to be using windows 10 Home Single Language... even microsoft is confused as their faq says win 8.1 home single language upgrades to win 10 home. So that parts all good.. if i upgrade or install win10 home single language, it activates.

the other issue of being unable to restore to factory settings got fixed when i reinstalled win 8.1 thru the media creation toolkit flash drive. For some reason the option to restore to factory settings came up and worked just fine after installation.

Thanks Genet!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
Thanks "SIW2" for all your help!! Also thank everyone else in this this forum! I was able to restore the factory Windows 8 image from my ASUS laptop! After upgrading to Windows 8, the "Refresh" and "Reset" features were corrupted. I had to use SIW2 tools to extract the "install.wim" file and restore original Windows 8 OS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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