Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
Computer service engineer technician workplace repairing fixing disassembled HDD hard drive data disc SSD, backup part of PC or laptop. Recovery, maintenance work, access file. Profession repairman
Software & Services Best data recovery software of 2025
Microsoft
Pro Microsoft wants to avoid another disastrous global outage - here's how it plans to do it
Start windows 11 button on computer menu screen close up view
Pro Upgrading to Windows 11 just got easier - Microsoft introduces a new business backup tool
Acer Aspire 14 AI laptop display showing the Windows 11 login screen
Windows Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC
A close up images of a SATA hard drive.
Software & Services Best disk cloning software of 2025: ranked, rated and reviewed by experts
A graphic image of a cloud set in a digital background.
Pro Best backup software of 2025: rated and reviewed
A close up of a SATA hard drive.
Pro Best free backup software of 2025
  1. Computing
  2. Software
  3. Windows

How to create a Windows 10 recovery disk

How-to
By Ian Barker published 21 June 2018

A range of options from Windows and a third-party solution

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Windows 10 has been out for a few years at this point, and with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, it now has more features than ever before. 

Most people have been using Windows 10 without issue, but what happens when something does happen and you need to reinstall? And, now that Microsoft seems to be pushing updates on people who don’t want them, it might happen sooner, rather than later.

If you run into problems with your OS, you’ll need to know how to create a Windows 10 Recovery Disk, or you’ll get stuck with a very expensive paperweight. And, you can’t simply roll back to Windows 7 or 8 anymore.

Don’t worry though, we’ll show you how to create a Windows 10 recovery disk in this guide.

  • Also check out: How to use Windows 10
Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
1. Run the Media Creation Tool

1. Run the Media Creation Tool

If you upgraded to Windows 10 using the media creation tool you have the option to use it to create install media either on a disc or a USB flash drive. Even if you waited for Windows 10 to be delivered in the background you can still download and use the tool after you've installed the OS, and you can create media for use on other machines too.

Run the tool – there are different versions for 32-bit and 64-bit systems so make sure you get the right one – and select the 'Create installation media for another PC' option.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
2. Select a language and version

2. Select a language and version

You now need to select the language to use and the version of Windows 10. Note that this must match the version you've installed or your licence key won't be valid. If you're making media for another machine use the appropriate version for that. You also need to choose whether to create a 32-bit or 64-bit version – you can make media for either regardless of the machine you're using.

On the next screen you need to select either to burn a disc or create a USB drive, and then you simply wait for Windows to download the files and create the media.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
3. Create a recovery drive

3. Create a recovery drive

Previous versions of Windows had the option to create a recovery disc from the Recovery Options section in Control Panel. In Windows 10 you won't find this option on any of the Settings screens but it is still available, you just need to hunt for it.

Open up Settings from the Start menu and type Recovery in the Search box at the top right, then select 'Create a recovery drive' from the list of options that appears on the left side of the screen. You can also find it by typing Recovery drive in the Cortana Search box on the taskbar.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
4. Back up system files

4. Back up system files

You'll need to provide User Account Control approval, then the Recovery Drive tool will launch. A recovery drive will allow you to reset your system or troubleshoot problems. 

You have the option to back up your system files to the drive, and if you do this you can also use it to perform a reinstall of Windows. Tick the box to back up system files and then click on Next to continue. There will be a short wait while your system is checked, and you'll then be asked to connect a USB drive.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
5. Find out flash drive size

5. Find out flash drive size

The program will tell you what size flash drive you need – this will vary depending on what other software is installed on your system but will usually be at least 4GB. Note that any existing content on the drive will be wiped out as part of the process. Select the drive you want to use and click on Next to continue.

Before beginning to create the drive make sure that your version of Windows 10 is activated – if your old Windows was activated this should have happened automatically – you won't then need a licence key to reinstall.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
6. Create a recovery drive

6. Create a recovery drive

You'll get a further warning that the content of the drive will be deleted, so click on Create if you're sure you want to proceed. The system will then begin to create your recovery drive – this will take some time but you can continue to use your PC for other tasks while it's happening. 

You'll see it go through various stages including copying utilities and copying system. Once it's complete there will be a message saying 'The recovery drive is ready' and you can click on Finish to complete the task.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
7. Try a different install method

7. Try a different install method

If you don't want to do a complete reinstall there are other options. If you open Settings from the Start menu, select Update & Security, then choose Recovery from the left-hand menu, you have a number of options.

You can reset the PC which effectively allows you to do an in-place reinstall, though of course this only works if your PC is still running. There's also an Advanced start-up option, which we'll cover in the next slide.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
8. Do an advanced start-up

8. Do an advanced start-up

The Advanced start-up option allows you to start from the media you've created, either on disc or USB. You can also access the system's firmware or restore the system from an image. Note that this will only work on recent machines with a UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) rather than the BIOS used by older PCs.

On UEFI systems it's not possible to run 32-bit Windows on a 64-bit computer as it was on older machines. You can access Advanced start-up from Settings or by holding down Shift when you click Restart from the Start menu.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
9. Try an alternative

9. Try an alternative

If you're not happy with any of the recovery options that are offered as standard by Windows there is an alternative available – you can download the free AOMEI OneKey Recovery tool. This allows you to create a recovery partition on your hard drive similar to those supplied by manufacturers on pre-installed systems.

The advantage here is that AOMEI images your current system state with all of your settings included. When you download and install it, you’ll be presented with two choices – click on OneKey System Backup to start.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
10. Create a partition

10. Create a partition

The program then walks you through the entire process of creating a partition – you will need to have around 25GB of unallocated space available on your drive. If you don't have unallocated space you'll need to create a new partition. You can choose to back up your system to another location, such as an external drive, if you prefer.

After creating the partition AOMEI adds itself to the boot menu of the system allowing you to access the recovery partition on startup. You have the option to add a message allowing you to simply press a key to access recovery.

  • Check out our collection of guides on how to use Windows 10
Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
TOPICS
Windows 10 Microsoft
Ian Barker
Social Links Navigation

Ian Barker worked in information technology before discovering that writing about computers was easier than fixing them. He has worked for a staff writer on a range of computer magazines including PC Extreme, was editor of PC Utilities, and has written for TechRadar, BetaNews, IT Pro Portal, and LatestGadgets.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
Computer service engineer technician workplace repairing fixing disassembled HDD hard drive data disc SSD, backup part of PC or laptop. Recovery, maintenance work, access file. Profession repairman
Best data recovery software of 2025
Microsoft
Microsoft wants to avoid another disastrous global outage - here's how it plans to do it
Start windows 11 button on computer menu screen close up view
Upgrading to Windows 11 just got easier - Microsoft introduces a new business backup tool
Acer Aspire 14 AI laptop display showing the Windows 11 login screen
Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC
A close up images of a SATA hard drive.
Best disk cloning software of 2025: ranked, rated and reviewed by experts
A graphic image of a cloud set in a digital background.
Best backup software of 2025: rated and reviewed
Latest in Windows
Frustrated unhappy laptop user girl touching head at work table with computer
'It's obvious that users are frustrated': consumer rights group accuses Microsoft of not providing a 'viable solution' for Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11
Woman disgusted by her laptop
No, Windows 11 PCs aren't 'up to 2.3x faster' than Windows 10 devices, as Microsoft suggests – here's why that's an outlandish claim
Upset PC gamer with head in hands by his PC
I don't generally recommend downloading Windows 11's preview updates, but some gamers may want to chance Microsoft's latest effort
A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 25H2, and in some ways, I'm glad we're not getting a major update like Windows 12 this year
Man with laptop showing Blue screen of death or BSOD on the monitor screen
Forget the Blue Screen of Death – Windows is replacing it with an even more terrifying Black Screen of Death
A woman sitting at a table and using a laptop with her phone nearby
Windows 10 users who don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11 get new lifeline from Microsoft
Latest in How Tos
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online
Emma Raducanu preparing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Raducanu vs Xu online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
A woman dances on a friend's shoulders at the Glastonbury Festival held at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset on June 29 near Glastonbury, England. The festival, founded in 1970, has grown into one of the largest outdoor green field festivals in the world.(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
How to watch Glastonbury replays on BBC iPlayer (it's FREE)
Max Verstappen leads the pack at the beginning of the 2024 Austrian GP.
How to watch Austrian Grand Prix F1 on ORF On today (it's free)
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    3 reasons why I appreciate AI and maybe you should too
  2. 2
    Is AI the new cloud? Survey reveals companies scrambling to adopt AI - but few really know what impact it will have
  3. 3
    This tiny NAS can store up to 32TB of super-fast SSD data and even comes with a VPN server and a 4K HDMI port
  4. 4
    Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace could put sensitive data at risk because of a blind spot in default email behavior
  5. 5
    Together is finally coming to theaters - here are 3 reasons you shouldn't miss the body horror movie

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...