Solved Windows 8.1 Recovery - Could not find recovery environment

[philbyk]

Afraid of that, you may have buggered up your recovery. At this point I would try to assign 6 as your recovery and see what happens.

I tried, it says the same thing; "There is no volume specified. Please select a volume and try again."

I would say time to order recovery media from Packard Bell: Packard Bell Recovery Media

Thank you very much, I will try that later for sure. Thank you again.

 

[popeye]

Sorry not more help. Take it as a lesson to always create recovery media as soon as you get a new computer. Don't rely on the drive recovery as drives fail and we like to mess with them too much.

Good luck!

 

[theog]

Afraid of that, you may have buggered up your recovery. At this point I would try to assign 6 as your recovery and see what happens.

Also on partition 6 set id, see buttom of screenshot.


set id="de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac"

 

[genet]

   Tip

This also fixes Windows Update error 80070003 when upgrading to Windows 10, if you have used EaseUS Partition Master.

Recommended UEFI-Based Disk-Partition Configurations

Recommended Configuration: System Recovery

The recommended configuration includes a Windows RE tools partition, a system partition, an MSR, a Windows partition, and a recovery image partition.



To configure Windows RE tools and recovery image partitions, identify the partitions as utility partitions by setting the partition type:

- In the DiskPart tool, after you have created and formatted the partition, use the command set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

- If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 preinstalled and updated to Windows 8.1, the Windows 8.1 update will create a second Windows RE tools partition (350 MB or 450 MB).
- Here is info about reagentc /info -> link
- The size of recovery partitions is different for different computers.

- The System partition (EFI System partition) contains the boot loaders for the installed operating systems.
- The Reserved (MSR) 128 MB partition is not visible within Disk Management utility, but it is listed with command line utility (diskpart).

The hard drive partitions before using EaseUS Partition Master 10.5 (see also screenshot below).

Partition #  Type      Size
-----------  --------  -------
Partition 1  [COLOR=red]Recovery[/COLOR]  1000 MB - [COLOR=red]Windows RE tools partition[/COLOR] (Windows RE location, before Windows 8.1 update).
Partition 2  System     260 MB
Partition 3  OEM       1000 MB - [B][COLOR=red]X)[/COLOR][/B] Note: OEM partition does not exist in all OEM computers.
Partition 4  Reserved   128 MB
Partition 5  Primary    908 GB
Partition 6  [COLOR=red]Recovery[/COLOR]   450 MB - [COLOR=red]Windows RE tools partition[/COLOR] (Windows RE location, after Windows 8.1 update).
Partition 7  [COLOR=red]Recovery[/COLOR]    20 GB - [COLOR=red]Recovery image partition[/COLOR] (Recovery image location).

X) Some computer manufacturers (Lenovo/Sony/Dell) have their own GUIDs for partitions that hold boot loaders to launch manufacturer-specific recovery tools.



The hard drive partitions after using EaseUS Partition Master 10.5 (see also screenshot below).

- Those marked by red color should be repaired.

Partition #  Type      Size
-----------  --------- -------
Partition 1  [COLOR=red]OEM[/COLOR]       1000 MB - This partition type should be [B]Recovery[/B] (not OEM).
Partition 2  System     260 MB
Partition 3  OEM       1000 MB - [COLOR=#000000][B]Note:[/B][/COLOR] This Lenovo OEM partition type is ok.
Partition 4  Reserved   128 MB
Partition 5  Primary    390 GB
Partition 6  Primary    518 GB - This partition was created using EaseUS Partition Master.
Partition 7  [COLOR=red]OEM[/COLOR]        450 MB - This partition type should be [B]Recovery[/B] (not OEM).
Partition 8  [COLOR=red]OEM[/COLOR]         20 GB - This partition type should be [B]Recovery[/B] (not OEM).

   Tip

Here is another example of the damaged partition type.

Partition 1 - System (500 MB)
Partition 2 - OEM (40 MB) - Note: This Dell OEM partition type is ok.
Partition 3 - Reserved (128 MB)
Partition 4 - OEM (2048 MB) - This partition type should be Recovery (not OEM).
Partition 5 - Primary (363 GB)
Partition 6 - Primary (556 GB)
Partition 7 - OEM (9 GB) - This partition type should be Recovery (not OEM).

How to fix the error message: "Could not find the recovery environment", if the ID for the recovery partition type is incorrectly set to OEM or Primary.

- You need to manually select the partition and change the partition ID.

- Open a command prompt as administrator and type (or copy and paste) the following commands.

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition

select partition # Note: Select the Windows RE tools partition.
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

select partition # Note: Select the 350 MB or 450 MB Windows RE tools partition (if you have this partition).
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

select partition # Note: Select the Recovery image partition.
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

list partition
exit

   Tip

If you want, you can also run the following command after the each SET ID command.

gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001

"Prevent end users from removing partitions by using Windows Disk Management tools."

Run reagentc /info (see also screenshot below).

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration Information:
 
Windows RE status:         Enabled
[COLOR=red]Windows RE location[/COLOR]:       [URL="file://\\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\"]\\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\[/URL][COLOR=red]partition7[/COLOR]\Recovery\WindowsRE
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: 3f1aab21-5d18-11e3-9e3c-b4f57e9d9da7
[COLOR=red]Recovery image location[/COLOR]:   [URL="file://\\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0"]\\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\[/URL][COLOR=red]partition8[/COLOR]\OKRbackup\factory
Recovery image index:      1
Custom image location:
Custom image index:        0
 
REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

Now the Refresh and Reset should work (see screenshot below).



Note: If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled, you may not use the third-party partition software (for example, EaseUS Partition Master), because modifying the hard drive partition structure usually break the factory restore feature. But if you use Windows Disk Management to shrink the C: partition (see screenshot below), then Refresh and Reset should work.

   Tip

This program does not break the factory restore feature: http://www.disk-partition.com/free-partition-manager.html

Here is a reference list of partition type and ID, when you are using the GPT partition style. You need to manually select partition and then SET ID for the damaged partition type.

- Primary is EBD0A0A2-B9E5-4433-87C0-68B6B72699C7
- System is C12A7328-F81F-11D2-BA4B-00A0C93EC93B
- Recovery is DE94BBA4-06D1-4D40-A16A-BFD50179D6AC
- OEM is BFBFAFE7-A34F-448A-9A5B-6213EB736C22
- Reserved is E3C9E316-0B5C-4DB8-817D-F92DF00215AE (You cannot update the partition with type Reserved)

Other instructions.

- 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

- Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style). -> link

 

[popeye]

Wow genet, you know much more than I on this, kudos! :thumb:

Wish I could rep you again.

You too theog.

 

[philbyk]

ok. This is exactly the same problem that I helped this gentleman last week. You need to open the Admin Command prompt

1. Type: diskpart
2. Type: Select disk 0
3. Type list partition

And look for the partition with "Recovery" label, Take a note of the size of the partition then follow the instruction from this post:
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/53334-could-not-find-recovery-environment.html#post425220

You must first change the OEM partition to the Recovery partition.

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select the first OEM partition: select partition 1
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
select partition # Note: Select the second OEM partition: select partition 6
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
exit

View attachment 51132

Recommended UEFI-Based Disk-Partition Configurations

Recommended Configuration: System Recovery

The recommended configuration includes a Windows RE tools partition, a system partition, an MSR, a Windows partition, and a recovery image partition.

We recommend that you add the Windows RE tools partition and system partition before you add the Windows partition, and the partition containing the recovery image at the end. This partition order helps to keep the system and Windows RE partitions safe during actions such as removing the recovery image partition or altering the size of the Windows partition.

To configure Windows RE tools and recovery image partitions, identify the partitions as utility partitions by setting the partition type:

- In the DiskPart tool, after you have created and formatted the partition, use the command set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac

Here is info about reagentc /info -> link

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everything is working just fine. You made my day, thank you again.

 

[primevyl]

Is there a way to prevent Windows from auto updating to 8.1? I have a stable machine and do not want the headaches

 

[popeye]

Personally, with OEM 8, I would update to 8.1 and get everything set just as you want including bloatware removal, then image your drive, and use that as your recovery. Relying on the recovery partition is not the best approach regardless if you upgrade to 8.1 or not.

At the very least you should now create a recovery disc(s) or flash USB ASAP. Whatever Packard Bell has setup to create.

 

[genet]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everything is working just fine. You made my day, thank you again.

You're welcome.

What did you do? Only these commands and then everything is working just fine?

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select the first OEM partition: select partition 1
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
select partition # Note: Select the second OEM partition: select partition 6
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
exit

 

[theog]

View attachment 51119

I did not upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, when I bought it, was upgraded already.

Your screenshot shows, that your PC was not upgrade to Windows 8.1, but Preinstalled.
There for your Recovery disk('s) will be Windows 8.1.

 

[philbyk]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everything is working just fine. You made my day, thank you again.

You're welcome.

What did you do? Only these commands and then everything is working just fine?

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select the first OEM partition: select partition 1
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
select partition # Note: Select the second OEM partition: select partition 6
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
exit

Yes, you are right. I only added these commands and everything was working just fine...

 

[Saltgrass]

I did not upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, when I bought it, was upgraded already.

Your screenshot shows, that your PC was not upgrade to Windows 8.1, but Preinstalled.
There for your Recovery disk('s) will be Windows 8.1.

Theog, you do remember the latest version of the 8 to 8.1 update does not create an additional partition, but puts the tools in the OS partition instead..? This sort of took away the obvious clue the system had been updated.

@ philbyk, I would be interested in what version of EaseUS was used. I keep hoping they will correct the problem, but have not tried using any recent releases for testing.

 

[philbyk]

I did not upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, when I bought it, was upgraded already.

Your screenshot shows, that your PC was not upgrade to Windows 8.1, but Preinstalled.
There for your Recovery disk('s) will be Windows 8.1.

Theog, you do remember the latest version of the 8 to 8.1 update does not create an additional partition, but puts the tools in the OS partition instead..? This sort of took away the obvious clue the system had been updated.

@ philbyk, I would be interested in what version of EaseUS was used. I keep hoping they will correct the problem, but have not tried using any recent releases for testing.

It was [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"Partition Master Professional 10.0", and the latest version is 10.1.




[/FONT]

 

[theog]

I did not upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, when I bought it, was upgraded already.

Your screenshot shows, that your PC was not upgrade to Windows 8.1, but Preinstalled.
There for your Recovery disk('s) will be Windows 8.1.

Theog, you do remember the latest version of the 8 to 8.1 update does not create an additional partition, but puts the tools in the OS partition instead..? This sort of took away the obvious clue the system had been updated.

Not used the windows Store for months, I use the 8.1.1 disk to upgrade.

 

[scureza]

diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select the first OEM partition (Windows RE tools partition).
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
select partition # Note: Select the second OEM partition (recovery image partition).
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
exit

Thank you very very much. This works on my Asus EB1037.

Bye

 

[genet]

You are welcome.

 

[saovaykung]

Hey guys.Can u help me solve this problem? My PC is running windows 8.1 single language.I want to refresh my PC but I can't.It asked "Could not find recovery environment".I have checked diskmgmt.msc and my partition recovery also still here.It isn't disappear but I can't refresh.Can you solve it? Thank you
P/s: Sorry,my English isn't not good.

 

[saovaykung]

Hey guys.Can u help me solve this problem? My PC is running windows 8.1 single language.I want to refresh my PC but I can't.It asked "Could not find recovery environment".I have checked diskmgmt.msc and my partition recovery also still here.It isn't disappear but I can't refresh.Can you solve it? Thank you
P/s: Sorry,my English isn't not good.

 

[quino]

Recommended UEFI-Based Disk-Partition Configurations

Recommended Configuration: System Recovery


diskpart
select disk 0
list partition
select partition # Note: Select the Windows RE tools partition.
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
select partition # Note: Select the 350 MB or 450 MB Windows RE tools partition (if you have this partition).
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
select partition # Note: Select the Recovery image partition.
set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
list partition
exit

Thanks! I just followed these steps and my Recovery came back!
(PS. I didn't do the middle step because I don't have this partition.)

 

[genet]

You are welcome.