How to make win 10 recovery disk​?

A recovery disk is an essential tool for any Windows user, acting as a lifeline when your operating system encounters problems. When Windows 10 fails to boot properly due to corruption or malware, or if your system becomes unresponsive, having a recovery disk at hand allows you to restore your system without going through the entire reinstallation process. The recovery disk can also help you troubleshoot startup problems, repair damaged files, and even reset your PC to factory settings.

There are two primary types of recovery options in Windows 10: a System Repair Disk and a USB Recovery Drive. The system repair disk is typically used to boot into advanced recovery options without needing to access the operating system itself, while a USB recovery drive can be used to perform similar functions and even reinstall Windows if necessary.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the process of creating a recovery disk for Windows 10. there are a few prerequisites you need to ensure:

A Blank USB Drive (or external hard drive): For creating a recovery disk on a USB drive, you need a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of free space. If you prefer to create a system repair disk, you can use a blank CD/DVD.

Windows 10 PC: You need to have a Windows 10 system up and running to create the recovery disk.

Administrator Privileges: Ensure that you have administrative rights to the system you are using to create the recovery disk.

Stable Internet Connection: In some cases, your system might need to download additional files or updates, so make sure you are connected to the internet.

Step 1: Backing Up Your Data

Before proceeding with creating a recovery disk, it’s always a good idea to back up your important data. A recovery disk does not protect your files, so in case of a full system restore, you could lose personal files if they aren’t backed up. Use built-in tools such as File History, OneDrive, or third-party software to back up your data.

Step 2: Creating a Windows 10 Recovery Drive

Using the Built-In Windows Tool

The most common method to create a recovery disk for Windows 10 is by using the built-in Recovery Drive tool. Here’s how to use it:

Search for Recovery Drive Tool:

Press the Windows key and type “Create a recovery drive” into the search bar.

Select the Create a recovery drive option from the search results.

Launch the Recovery Drive Tool:

In the recovery drive wizard that opens, check the box that says “Back up system files to the recovery drive”. This option ensures that you can reinstall Windows if needed.

Click Next to proceed.

Insert USB Drive:

You will be prompted to insert a USB drive. Ensure it has at least 8 GB of free space. A blank USB drive is recommended since all data on it will be erased during the process.

Once you insert the USB drive, click Next.

Select the USB Drive:

Select the USB drive you inserted from the list of available drives.

Click Next, and the tool will begin the process of creating the recovery disk. It may take a few minutes to an hour, depending on the speed of your USB drive and the performance of your system.

Finish the Process:

When the process is complete, you will see a message that says, “Your recovery drive is ready.”

Click Finish, and safely eject the USB drive from your PC.

Now, your USB recovery drive is ready to be used in case of a system failure.

Step 3: Creating a System Repair Disk (Optional)

Alternatively, you can create a System Repair Disk on a CD or DVD. This method doesn’t require as much space as a USB drive, but it is less flexible. The System Repair Disk primarily helps in accessing recovery options if your PC fails to boot.

Using the Built-In System Repair Tool

Open Control Panel:

Press the Windows key and type “Control Panel” into the search bar.

Open the Control Panel from the results.

Access Backup and Restore:

In the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security.

Under the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) section, click on Create a system repair disc.

Insert a Blank CD/DVD:

Insert a blank CD or DVD into your optical drive.

You will be prompted to select your optical drive. Ensure the correct drive is selected and click Create disc.

Complete the Process:

The system repair disk will be created, which may take several minutes.

Once finished, label the disk for easy identification and safely eject it from your PC.

Step 4: Using the Recovery Disk or Drive

Now that you have your recovery disk or USB recovery drive ready, it’s important to know how to use it in case of a system failure.

Booting from the Recovery Disk

Insert the USB Recovery Drive or System Repair Disc:

Insert the recovery USB drive or system repair disc into your PC.

Access Boot Menu:

Restart your computer.

As the computer boots, press the appropriate key (usually F12. F8. or Esc, depending on your computer manufacturer) to access the boot menu.

Select the Boot Device:

From the boot menu, select the recovery disk or USB drive as the boot device.

Press Enter to boot from the selected device.

Choose Advanced Recovery Options:

After booting from the recovery disk, you’ll be presented with several recovery options, including:

Troubleshoot: Allows you to reset your PC, use advanced repair tools, or perform a system restore.

Advanced options: Provides more detailed options for restoring your system, including Startup Repair, Command Prompt, and System Restore.

You can choose one of these options to troubleshoot and fix issues with your Windows 10 PC.

Using the Recovery Drive to Reinstall Windows 10

If you need to reinstall Windows 10. you can use the USB Recovery Drive to perform a clean installation of Windows. Here’s how:

Boot from the USB Recovery Drive:

Insert the recovery USB drive into your PC and restart it.

Use the boot menu to boot from the USB drive.

Select Install Windows:

From the recovery menu, select Install Windows. This will start the Windows installation process.

Follow the On-Screen Instructions:

The setup process will guide you through selecting the language, region, and partition where you want to install Windows.

You can choose to format the partition and perform a fresh installation or reinstall without formatting, which preserves your files but reinstalls the operating system.

Complete the Installation:

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of Windows 10. Once done, your computer will restart with the fresh installation of Windows 10.

Step 5: Keeping Your Recovery Drive Updated

It’s important to note that Windows 10 updates regularly, and sometimes these updates can change system files or affect your recovery drive. To ensure that your recovery disk is always up to date, you should periodically update it. To do this:

Check for Updates:

Open Settings on your PC.

Go to Update & Security and select Windows Update.

Install any pending updates to ensure your system is up to date.

Recreate the Recovery Drive:

After updating your system, you may need to recreate your recovery drive to ensure it includes the latest system files.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having issues with your recovery disk or USB drive, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

The Recovery Drive Won’t Boot: Ensure your boot settings are correct in the BIOS. You may need to change the boot order to prioritize USB or optical drives.

Not Enough Space on the USB Drive: If the USB drive is not large enough, try using one with more space. Ensure that the drive is formatted as FAT32 or NTFS.

The System Repair Disc Is Not Working: Ensure that your system supports booting from a CD or DVD. Check your BIOS settings to ensure the optical drive is enabled.