Windows 10: REAGENTC.EXE: The Windows RE image was not found

I encountered an issue while installing a routine update and found a probable explanation: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5034441-windows-recovery-environment-update-for-windows-10-version-21h2-and-22h2-january-9-2024-62c04204-aaa5-4fee-a02a-2fdea17075a8I followed the Instructions to manually resize the partition to install the WinRE update: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/kb5028997-instructions-to-manually-resize-your-partition-to-install-the-winre-update-400faa27-9343-461c-ada9-24c8229763bfWhen I reached to the point where it said "reagentc /enable", I got this error f

:)

 

ReAgentC will not enable

Oh derp!

Copying the Recovery folder from a known-good-working computer and pasting it to the not-working computer does not work. C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\ReAgent_Merged.xml1 file is custom created on-the-fly for each machine.

1. Check to see if Windows\System32\Recovery\ folder exists;
   • if N skip to next step;
   • if Y rename it RecoveryBUP or something similar, then continue;
2. using 7-Zip or similar navigate the installation media to ...\Sources\ install.wim or install.esd
3. double-click either and go to ...\1\Windows\System32\
4. click the Recovery folder and tell 7-Zip to extract it to the target machine at C:\Windows\System32\;
5. reboot
6. Go to Settings > Update & Security > click Recovery in the left menu list;
7. under Advanced startup click Restart now
8. You should now see the full Recovery console like this:

MBR2GPT.EXE is a Microsoft program included free in Windows. If running Windows 10 v 1803 or later and the objective is to convert MBR to GPT with NO data loss, MBR2GPT.exe will do that. It is fast and works well. MS posted a video of it in use at their site. There is also an updated step-by-step tutorial at WindowsCentral with pictures. The steps follow:

In order to enable UEFI on a UEFI-able system that has been using BIOS because it was running Windows 7 or some such, the MBR (master boot record) first must be converted to GPT (GUID partition table):

• click Command Prompt in the Recovery Console to open an elevated command prompt without the Windows GUI;
• that should bring you to C:\Windows\System32;
• type MBR2GPT.exe /validate;
• type MBR2GPT.exe /convert and await the successful conversion;
  • there may be an error message about reagentc.exe, you can ignore that until after you change the CMOS/BIOS settings

now change BIOS to UEFI:

• reboot and tap F12 continuously before the Windows logo appears (or whatever key your device requires to enter the BIOS settings)
• change boot to UEFI from BIOS & reboot
• DONE

Now, ensure the Recovery console is as you want it...

1. In Windows launch an elevated command prompt and navigate to C:\Windows\System32
2. type reagentc /info and tap [enter], if disabled
3. type reagentc /enable and tap [enter]

RESOLVED & DONE with much thanks to SIW2 and NavyLCDR!

 

Reagentc failed

Empty recovery image location string. Setting image path before winre enabling needed.
perform these steps:

1. set drive letter to recovery partition
2. reagentc /setreimage /path F:\Recovery\WindowsRE
...winre.wim registration (use proper drive letter)
3. reagentc /enable
...winre activating
4. remove drive letter from recovery partition

Can't enable Windows Recovery Environment

 

Reagentc failed

I was in the same situation but I had a hard time to set the path; eg: reagentc /setreimage /path D:\Recovery\WindowsRE

It wouldn't let me. I had to do the following inside DISKPART (Using your snapshot for the syntax):
- "select disk 0"
- "select volume 0" (your partition listed #1 as the Recovery)
- "assign letter = D"
Note: commands without double quote

After above steps, "reagentc /setreimage /path D:\Recovery\WindowsRE" will work.

The file ReAgent.xml under C:\Windows\System32\Recovery will be updated (if you made a backup prior, you will notice the updated timestamp)

Another way instead of using Drive letter, syntax is as follow:

"reagentc /setreimage /path \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition1\Recovery\WindowsRE"
(note the bolded variable that matches the information from DISKPART)

When REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful. Windows RE status will always be disabled still.

In order to enable Windows RE status, you need to reboot into the Bios then turn off Legacy Bios in CSM and Secure Boot will automatically pickup the Windows EFI System Partition. Save the Bios and boot into Windows.

Once started, Windows RE status will be Enabled automatically. No need to enable it.

In System Information Bios Mode will be UEFI.

Hope this explain a bit more of the final step as I was struggling why I couldn't enable the RE status when "reagentc /setreimage /path D:\Recovery\WindowsRE" was successfully completed.

Good luck!