Windows 10: Create Recovery Drive in Windows 10

Right. Although Windows can use larger drives formatted as FAT32 its Disk Management cannot format above 32GB as FAT32, would have to be exFAT or NTFS. I just got 2 Lexar 64GB Thumb drives [2 for 1 at OfficeDepot] and they are FAT32 so must have been formatted by other means than Windows such as Linux or maybe something similar to GPARTED partitioning software.

 

Are you a Macrium PE stick of the right numbers of bits (eg. 64-bit or 32-bit?) I've a feeling you have to get the right one with UEFI hardware.

I've been using Macrium with no problem so far.

 

If you used them to create a Recovery Drive, I believe they'd be formatted as FAT32 by the Recovery Drive process.

 

there are several issues gone on in this thread..

DR3WST3R, posted is using a 1TB drive to create recovery media, and wondering why it only has 32GB of space..
Which lead to my response of Fat32 supporting 32GB
for which Berton decided to try and correct me with 64GB USB being formatted Fat32,
then stated it could not be done by windows, but by some other program (Yes I have a format tool that will format a 64GB USB in fat32 format)

Now DR3WST3R, the person I suggested to use a Fat32 USB stick to create recovery media - instead of a 1TB drive
Is now trying to create a System Image and the USB is not Big Enough

So to DR3WST3R, You need to create the recovery drive to the usb - that usb is a bootable USB and allows you to boot into the recovery environment in case of PC trouble..
As far as the system Image you will need to create that image on your HDD or SSD drive..

Once you boot from the recovery media - you will go into advanced options and select > system image
or something to that effect.. to restore the windows system image..

IMHO you would be MUCH better off just using Marcium Reflect to create your backup images > Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free

So, Thank You David for clarifying that windows creates the recovery media in Fat32 format.. *Wink
And Thank You Berton for clarifying the 32GB format limit within windows.. *Huh

 

Hi, thanks for the reply, i no about the fat 32 but windows would still not create on any drive, some time some files were written then none at all but always an error, why use a 3rd party tool to do what windows is supposed to do in 1st place but cant, as with system image to hdd/ssd got so far as pic i posted showed and thats it no further and i left it for an hour, then trying to cancel it just crashed my pc, that was on different drives also.
many thanks anyway

 

Don't need a response to this, just wanted to say thanks for all the good info people.
Maybe its because I am getting older, but I have had a rough time getting used to Windows 10 (I also had skipped W8).
The problems I had making a recovery drive were just about enough to make me go back to W7 so thanks again for all the good info.

 

What is the difference between "Creating a recovery Drive" and "Using Recovery Environment"?
I mean on boot menu we see Windows 10 recovery environment option, we can use that if something bad happens to pc.
Please someone explain *Smile

 

Aabhi,

A recovery drive is a tool that can also be used to boot to the recovery environment from. This can be handy if you are unable to do so normally from within Windows.

If you are able to use the copy system files option while creating the recovery drive, then it could also be used to reset or refresh Windows with if you're not able to normally.

 

Oh I get it, thanks Brink

 

I got Windows 10 last week, it's working well for me and I have no plans to fall back. Tonight I decided I ought to create a recovery USB since I only have a Win 8.1 recovery. I got the 'a problem' error and am making one with the system files box unchecked to get past it. What difference does that make and why would it happen? I have Win 10 Home build 10240 at the moment. Thanks!

 

Hello fotyc,

If you like, you could also create a Windows 10 installation USB that you can use for recovery as well. *Smile

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...dows-10-a.html

 

Thanks... it's frustrating when they make a really straightforward way to do something, but then it doesn't work and you have to go round the barn...

 

I hear you. Usually including system files with the recovery drive would have been for OEM recovery partitions. It hasn't been made clear if it's the same in Windows 10, but I'm starting to think that it is.

 

That would make sense, as I lost my OEM recovery partition with my first install of Windows 8.1 two years ago, and never got one back.

 

I think OEMs are supposed to use provisioning packages to include their software with Windows 10, in the C:\Recovery \Customizations folder, rather than put lots of stuff in the Recovery Partition.

If I capture my installed software into a provisioning package, then that provisioning package is included in the Recovery Drive if I check the box for System Files during the process (when it works, anyway *Rolleyes ), and I get all the software back when I install Windows again from the Recovery Drive