Windows 10: Windows 10/11 doesn't recognize USB flash drive when creating a "Recovery drive"

Dell XPS 8960, Windows 11, 64Gb, 1Tb SSD, 2Tb SATA, 4Tb attached. 64Gb USB flash drive. I only use Sandisk. No other programs that I use have any problems with them. I have the same problem whether I select "With" or "Without" system files. This issue has been around for a long, long time. Any suggestions?I guess I should ask: Does Microsoft still support "Making and using a recovery drive"?

:)

 

Recovery Drive for Windows 10 Doesn't Recognize USB Drive

When I try to create a Recovery Drive in Windows 10, Windows doesn't recognize the flash drive.

I'm following the instructions to create a Recovery Drive listed here:

Recovery Drive - Microsoft Support

• 
  From the taskbar, search for Create a recovery drive and then select it. You might be asked to enter an admin password or confirm your choice. (I was asked to confirm my choice, and I clicked "Yes".)
  
• 
  When the tool opens, make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected and then select
  Next.
  
• 
  (Secret Step) Wait a minute or so for the "Please Wait" screen to finish thinking
  
• 
  Connect a USB drive to your PC, select it ...
  

The issue is that when I connect a USB drive to the PC, it doesn't appear on the "Connect a USB flash drive" screen as a drive that can be selected, and the "Next" button is grayed out.

However, when I look in File Explorer, I can see the USB drive plugged into the computer. Selecting Properties shows that Windows considers its Type to be "Removable Disk". (Sounds right to me.)

I'm not getting any error messages.

My environment:

A brand new Toshiba Sattelite C55-C5241 laptop with Windows 10 Home. It's never had anything other than Windows 10 on it - unless they upgraded it at the factory.

A brand new ativa 8GB USB flash drive. Note that the packaging for the USB drive does not include Windows 10 in the System Requirements, but seriously?

What I've tried:

• Plugging the flash drive into all three USB ports (USB 2, USB 2, and USB 3)
• Reformatting the flash drive with FAT32
• Restarting the computer with the flash drive plugged in
• Turning off Real-Time Scanning in McAffee

I've seen a few threads with this issue in Windows 8, but none of the potential solutions in those threads have worked for me. So here I am asking the same question, but for Windows 10.

Does anyone have any suggestions for resolving this issue?

Thank you.

 

Create a Recovery Drive does not recognize my USB flash drive.

Create a recovery drive does not recognize my USB flash drive.

The flash drive appears in file explorer and is formatted and is 64GB. I have tried several drives and get the same problem.

 

Creating a Recovery Drive on USB flash Drive

I want to create a Recovery Drive on a USB Flash Drive. When I click on Recovery Media Creation, and then go to the next step, I get the message:

Quote

We cant create a recovery drive on this PC. Some required files are missing. To troubleshoot problems when your PC cant start, use your Windows Installation disc or media

Unquote

I don't have a Windows Installation disc, since I got a free upgrade to Windows 10. What should I do?

J. V. Adavi