Create a Recovery Drive for Windows 10

One of the big questions persons interested in Windows 10 are asking is how will they reinstall the operating system if needed? Many users will upgrade to Windows 10 using Windows Update. But Windows has backup media for persons who might be on a slow connection or you just messed up the computer so bad that it won't go past the welcome screen.  So how is it done?




Step 1: Preparing the recovery drive

1) Click Start, type in create recovery and click Create a recovery drive. (And make sure that your USB drive is already connected.)

(Or go to Control Panel -> Open Recovery -> Create Recovery drive)

2) Click next and wait.

3) Select the USB drive.

Note that the USB drive must be at least 8GB. In some cases, 4GB should be enough. (If so, it shows 4GB instead of 8.)

Double check if your USB drive contains any important files.


4) Wait, wait, wait and wait a lot more.

This could take HOURS to complete. In my case it took almost 4 hours!



Step 2: Booting from Recovery Drive

Now that's the recovery drive is prepared, let's move to the next step.

1) When you need to use the recovery drive, simply connect it to your computer and boot from it. The methods for booting from a thumbdrive might vary depending on the model. consult your computer documentation for instructions how to boot from external media.

You may have to go to BIOS and set the first boot device to USB or something like that.

Most common keys are DEL, ESC, F2, F9, F10, and F11


2) The Windows logo will appear on screen, this might be here for a while, as long as you see the indicater (balls-going-in-a-circle thing), everything should be ok.


3) Choose your keyboard layout, most likely US. If you don't see your keyboard layout listed, click See more keyboard layouts.


4) Go to Toubleshoot -> Recovery from a drive and follow the on screen instructions and wait while Windows 10 reinstalls.




Notes

• No product key is required when using the Recovery Drive to reinstall Windows 10. Once the recovery drive is created on a computer that is already activated, everything should be ok.
• To find out your Activation Status: Click Start -> Settings -> Update & security -> Activation.

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Comment below if you have any questions.