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HP PCs - Create and use a Microsoft recovery USB flash drive

You can use a recovery USB flash 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.

Create a Microsoft recovery USB flash drive

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

Connect a 32 GB or larger USB flash 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 flash drive.
In Windows, search for and open Create a recovery drive.
If displayed, click Yes on the User Account Control window.
Check the Back up system files to the recovery drive box, and then click Next.
Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then click Next.

CAUTION:
Everything on the USB flash 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 flash drive, copies utilities, and then backs up and copies system files to the USB flash drive.
Click Finish when the recovery drive is ready.
Store the recovery USB flash drive in a safe place.

Open System Recovery

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

Turn off the computer.
Insert the recovery USB flash drive into a USB port on the computer, and then turn on the computer.
On a notebook computer, immediately press the esc key until the Start Up menu opens, and then press f11 to open System Recovery.

On a desktop computer, immediately press the f11 key to open System Recovery.
Go to Recovering the computer to choose a method for recovering your computer.

Recover the computer

Choose a method to recover your computer using the recovery USB flash drive that you created.

Use a recovery USB flash drive

If all your files are backed up, you can use the recovery USB flash 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. Make sure that you back up all your important files on an external storage device (such as a USB flash 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 that you have any product keys or other identification required for apps you want to reinstall.

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

Use Reset this PC

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

CAUTION:

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
On the Troubleshoot screen, select Reset this PC.
Follow the instructions to reset your computer. This might take a few minutes.

Use Startup Repair

Startup Repair automatically fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.

Note:

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 flash drive.

In the Choose an option window, select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
In the Advanced options window, 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.

Use the Command Prompt

Advanced users can use the Command Prompt in the Windows Recovery Environment to enter command lines for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems.

Search for and open Command Prompt. There are many command lines that can be entered. Make sure that you fully understand a command and the risks before typing the command. For a list of available commands and their descriptions, type help into the command prompt.

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics

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