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    1 min read 5 stepsFebruary 12, 2026Verified February 2026

    How to Create a Recovery Drive on Windows

    Create a bootable recovery drive to fix Windows even if your PC won't start.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Windows Guides
    Difficulty
    Advanced
    Read Time
    1 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    advanced
    windows
    recovery
    bootable

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Get a USB drive
    2. 2.Open Recovery Drive tool
    3. 3.Back up system files
    4. 4.Select the USB drive
    5. 5.Store safely
    1

    Get a USB drive

    ~15s
    You'll need a USB drive with at least 16 GB of space. All data on it will be erased.

    Warning

    Everything on the USB drive will be erased during this process. Make sure there is nothing important on it.

    2

    Open Recovery Drive tool

    ~15s
    Search for "Create a recovery drive" in the Start menu and open the tool.
    3

    Back up system files

    ~15s
    Check "Back up system files to the recovery drive" for a more complete recovery option.
    4

    Select the USB drive

    ~15s
    Choose your USB drive from the list and click Create. This process takes 30-60 minutes.
    5

    Store safely

    ~16s
    Label the USB drive and keep it in a safe place. You'll need it if Windows can't boot normally.

    Quick Tip

    Label the USB drive clearly as "Windows Recovery Drive" and keep it with your important documents. You may not need it for years, but when you do, it is invaluable.

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    advanced
    windows
    recovery
    bootable

    Official Resources

    Microsoft SupportHow-To Geek — WindowsGCFGlobal — Windows Basics

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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