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HP PCs - Creating and Using a Microsoft Recovery USB Drive (Windows 10)

This document is for HP and Compaq computers with Windows 10.

You can use a recovery USB drive to start your computer in case of a problem. A recovery drive also contains Windows system recovery tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error or restore your computer from a system image.

Creating a Microsoft recovery USB drive

You can use a recovery drive to troubleshoot problems with your computer even when the operating system does not open. Copy the HP recovery partition to a USB drive so you can use it if your computer does not start or has problems.

Connect a 32 GB or larger USB drive to the computer.

note:
Copying the recovery partition uses more than 16 GB of space and requires a large capacity (at least 32 GB) USB drive.
In Windows, search for and open Create a recovery drive.
Click Yes on the User Account Control window that displays.
Check the box to Back up system files to the recovery drive, and then click Next.
Select the USB drive you want to use, and then click Next.

caution:
Everything on the USB drive is deleted when you create the recovery drive.
On the Create the recovery drive window, click Create.
Wait while the computer formats the USB drive, copies utilities, backs up, and then copies system files to the USB drive.
Click Finish when the recovery drive is ready.
Store the recovery USB drive in a safe place.

Opening System Recovery

Use the USB drive to recover the computer or perform other troubleshooting options.

Turn off the computer.
Insert the recovery USB drive into a USB port on the computer, and then turn on the computer.
If you have a laptop, immediately press the Esc key until the Start Up menu opens, and then press F11 to open System Recovery.

If you have a desktop computer, immediately press the F11 key to open System Recovery.
Go to the next section to choose a method for recovering your computer.

Recovering the computer

Choose a method to recover your computer using the created Microsoft recovery USB drive.

Using a device

You can use the recovery USB drive to perform a system recovery.

caution:
Your personal files, user accounts, settings, and apps that did not come with the computer are removed by performing this step. Do not use this option if you have important files on the hard drive that are not backed up. Make sure you back up all your important files on an external storage device (such as a USB drive) before continuing. Do not use this option if you have important files on the hard drive that are not backed up. You might want to seek a professional data recovery service to restore your files. Also, make sure you have any product keys or other identification required for apps you want to reinstall.

On the Choose an option screen, select Use a device. and then select USB drive.
Select USB drive to begin.

Using Reset this PC

Resetting the computer returns the computer to factory settings, and removes all of your personal files, apps and settings.

caution:
Your personal files, user accounts, settings, and apps that did not come with the computer are removed by performing this step. Make sure you back up all your important files on an external storage device (such as a USB drive) before continuing. Do not use this option if you have important files on the hard drive that are not backed up. You might want to seek a professional data recovery service to restore your files. Also, make sure you have any product keys or other identification required for apps you want to reinstall.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
Select Reset this PC, and then select one of the below options to begin.
- Keep my files to remove apps and settings, but keep personal files.
  
  caution:
  Your user accounts, settings, and apps that did not come with the computer are removed by performing this step. Make sure you have any product keys or other identification required for apps you want to reinstall.
- Remove everything to remove all personal files, apps, and settings.
  
  caution:
  Your personal files, user accounts, settings, and apps that did not come with the computer are removed by performing this step. Make sure you back up all your important files on an external storage device (such as a USB drive) before continuing. Do not use this option if you have important files on the hard drive that are not backed up. You might want to seek a professional data recovery service to restore your files. Also, make sure you have any product keys or other identification required for apps you want to reinstall.

Using System Recovery

You can use HP Recovery Manager with the recovery USB drive to refresh your computer without affecting your personal files, restore your computer to its original state, or back up important files.

note:
Beginning in 2018, Recovery Manager does not come preinstalled on computers with Windows 10. If your computer does not have Recovery Manager, use another method to recover your computer.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
On the Troubleshoot screen, select System Recovery.
Select one of the following:

note:
Depending on the model of your computer and its configuration, your Recovery Manager screen might vary. Not all options are available on all models and configurations.
- Windows System Reset to refresh your computer without affecting your personal files.
- Windows Recovery Environment restore the system to factory settings.
  
  caution:
  Your personal files, user accounts, settings, and apps that did not come with the computer are removed by performing this step. Make sure you back up all your important files on an external storage device (such as a USB drive) before continuing. Do not use this option if you have important files on the hard drive that are not backed up. You might want to seek a professional data recovery service to restore your files. Also, make sure you have any product keys or other identification required for apps you want to reinstall.
- Windows File History to back up files to a USB drive.

For more information, go to Performing a System Recovery (Windows 10)

Using Startup repair

Startup Repair automatically fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. Startup Repair can only fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files. It cannot fix hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory, and it does not protect against virus attacks.

If a startup problem is detected, Automatic Repair starts automatically and tries to fix the problem. If the problem is severe enough that Automatic Repair does not start on its own, run Automatic Repair using the recovery USB drive.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
On the Advanced options screen, select Startup Repair.
Select an account, and then type the password for the account.
If you need to change the language for the keyboard, click Change keyboard layout, and then select your language.
Click Continue.
Automatic Repair checks the computer for problems that prevent Windows from loading.

Command prompt

Advanced users can use the Command Prompt in a WinRE environment to enter command lines for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems. Click Command Prompt to open a command prompt window. There are many command lines that can be entered. Make sure you fully understand the command and the risks before typing the command. For a list of available commands and their descriptions, type help at the command prompt.

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