How do i make a windows 10 recovery disk​?

Creating a Windows 10 recovery disk is an essential task that can save you a great deal of time and effort in the event of system failure or the need to restore your system to a previous state. Whether your computer becomes infected with malware, encounters a software error, or experiences an unresolvable problem, a recovery disk can help you troubleshoot and restore your system without requiring an external expert. 

Why You Need a Windows 10 Recovery Disk

Before delving into the process, it’s important to understand why having a Windows 10 recovery disk is critical. When your computer starts malfunctioning, the recovery disk serves as a lifeline to get your system back to working condition. Some of the key benefits include:

System Repair: A recovery disk allows you to access advanced repair options such as Startup Repair, which can fix common booting issues.

Restore from Backup: If you have a system image backup, the recovery disk allows you to restore the system to a previous state without data loss.

Reset Windows 10: If your system becomes unusable, you can use the recovery disk to reset Windows 10 to its default settings, which can resolve persistent issues.

Command Prompt for Advanced Repair: If you need to perform manual repairs, the recovery disk provides access to the Command Prompt.

Create a System Image: In case you haven’t created a backup, the recovery disk allows you to create one.

By having a recovery disk, you’re essentially giving yourself a safeguard against many common issues that can disrupt your work or personal use.

Types of Windows 10 Recovery Disks

There are two main types of recovery disks you can create:

Windows 10 Recovery Drive: This option allows you to create a bootable USB drive that contains tools to troubleshoot and repair Windows 10. The recovery drive can also be used to restore the system from an image or reset the computer entirely.

System Repair Disk: The system repair disk is an older option but still available on Windows 10. This disk allows you to access repair tools from a CD/DVD drive. It does not include the system files or backup options that a full recovery drive does.

For most users, creating a Windows 10 recovery drive via a USB flash drive is the best option. It’s portable, more reliable than optical media, and more likely to support newer hardware.

Requirements for Creating a Windows 10 Recovery Disk

Before you begin creating your recovery disk, make sure you have the following:

A USB Flash Drive: A minimum of 8GB of free space is recommended for the recovery drive. This will be erased during the process, so ensure there are no important files stored on it.

A Windows 10 PC: You must be logged into a PC running Windows 10 to create the recovery disk.

Administrator Privileges: You need administrative access to create the recovery disk, so make sure you’re logged in as an administrator.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Windows 10 Recovery Disk

Step 1: Open the Recovery Drive Creation Tool

Search for Recovery Drive: Press the Windows key and type “Create a recovery drive” in the search bar.

Launch the Tool: Select Create a recovery drive from the search results to open the Windows Recovery Drive tool.

User Account Control Prompt: If you receive a prompt asking for permission to make changes to your device, click Yes to proceed.

Step 2: Choose to Back Up System Files (Optional)

Checkbox for System Files: The Recovery Drive tool will present an option to “Back up system files to the recovery drive”. It is recommended to check this box, as including system files on the USB drive will make the recovery drive more versatile.

Understanding System Files: Including system files means that the recovery drive will be able to help you reinstall Windows 10. even if your operating system becomes corrupted or damaged. If you skip this step, the recovery drive will only contain troubleshooting tools.

Step 3: Insert Your USB Flash Drive

Connect the USB Flash Drive: Insert the USB flash drive you want to use for your recovery disk into an available USB port on your computer.

Selecting the Drive: The tool will scan for available USB devices. Select the correct USB drive (ensure it has at least 8GB of free space). Remember, all data on the USB drive will be erased during the creation process, so back up anything important.

Step 4: Start the Recovery Drive Creation Process

Begin the Process: Click Next to proceed after selecting the USB drive. The tool will check the drive and confirm whether it’s ready to be used.

Erase and Format: You will be warned that all data on the USB drive will be erased. Click Create to continue. The process may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the speed of your USB drive and the selected options.

Step 5: Complete the Process

Confirmation: Once the recovery drive has been created, you’ll see a confirmation message. At this point, you can click Finish.

Safely Eject the USB: Ensure you safely eject the USB flash drive from your computer to avoid data corruption.

Using the Windows 10 Recovery Disk

Once the recovery disk is created, you can use it to troubleshoot or restore your Windows 10 system. Here’s how to use it effectively:

Insert the Recovery USB: Plug the recovery USB drive into the computer that needs repair.

Boot from USB: Restart the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the designated key (usually F2. F12. Esc, or Del) during boot. In the BIOS menu, change the boot order so that the USB drive is the first boot device.

Advanced Startup Options: Once the computer boots from the USB, the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) will load, presenting several options such as:

Troubleshoot: Offers options to reset your PC, restore from a system image, or perform advanced options like Startup Repair.

Restore from System Image: If you’ve created a system image backup previously, this option allows you to restore Windows 10 to a previous state.

Reset This PC: This option lets you reset your PC to its factory settings, which can be useful if you’re dealing with a corrupted system.

Command Prompt: For advanced users, the Command Prompt option gives you access to a terminal for executing system repair commands manually.

System Restore: If you have restore points enabled, you can revert your system to a previous working state.

Using System Restore

If you have set up System Restore points, you can use the recovery disk to restore your system to an earlier, functioning state:

Select System Restore: From the Advanced Startup Options, choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → System Restore.

Follow the Wizard: The System Restore wizard will guide you through selecting a restore point. Choose a date when your system was functioning properly and follow the prompts to complete the restoration process.

Resetting Your PC

If the system is severely damaged and other options fail, you may need to reset Windows 10. This process reinstalls the operating system, giving you the option to either keep your files or remove everything:

Select Reset This PC: From the Advanced Startup Options, choose Troubleshoot → Reset This PC.

Choose an Option: You will be presented with two options:

Keep My Files: This will reinstall Windows 10 and keep your personal files, although installed applications will be removed.

Remove Everything: This will perform a clean installation of Windows 10. wiping all personal files, settings, and applications.

How to Use a System Repair Disk

While less commonly used today due to the popularity of USB recovery drives, a system repair disk is still available in Windows 10. Here’s how to use it:

Insert the System Repair Disk: Place the repair CD/DVD into your optical drive and restart the computer.

Boot from the Disk: Make sure the BIOS/UEFI is set to boot from the CD/DVD drive.

Access Repair Tools: Once the system boots from the disk, you will have access to the Advanced Startup Options similar to those available from a recovery USB.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Recovery Disk

Store the Recovery Disk Safely: Keep your recovery disk in a safe and easily accessible place, such as a labeled USB stick in a drawer or external storage.

Regular Backups: Consider backing up your files regularly to avoid losing important data. Use Windows’ built-in backup features or third-party software to automate the process.

Create System Images: In addition to the recovery drive, create periodic system images. These allow you to fully restore your system to a previous state, not just Windows settings.

Having a Windows 10 recovery disk is a critical part of system maintenance. It ensures that you’re prepared for any issue that may arise, from a corrupted system to a malware infection.