How to create a Windows System Repair Disc

  • October 24, 2012
  • Read 109,778 times
 

Windows comes with a built-in repair environment called the Recovery Environment. Unfortunately, it is possible for the recovery environment to become inaccessible. The same tools can be accessed by using the Windows DVD that came with your computer, but unfortunately not many computer manufacturers actually provide the Windows media anymore. Therefore, it is suggested that you create the bootable Windows System Repair disc, which you can boot off of to access these troubleshooting and recovery tools when you need them.

Note: Windows 8.1 no longer includes the Recdisc utility. If you are using Windows 8.1 or wish to create a bootable USDB Recovery Drive, you should follow the steps in this guide instead:

How to create a bootable USB Flash Recovery Drive in Windows 8


The first step is to insert a blank DVD or CD into the DVD drive you wish to create the disc with.

Then, if you use Windows 7, click on the Start button and type recdisc. At the top of the start menu you should see the recdisc filename appear and should then double-click on it.

Otherwise, if you are using Windows 8, type recdisc at the Windows Start Screen and then click on the recdisc search result when it appears.

The Create a system repair disc screen should now be open.

 

Creating a system repair disc

 

Select the drive that has the blank media inserted into and then click on the Create disc button.

 

Creating Disc

 

Windows will start to create the repair disc, and when finished, display one of these dialogs depending on the version of Windows you are using.

 

Windows 7 disc finished    Disc finished in Windows 8

 

You can now click on the Close button and then remove the disc from your drive. Please label the disc and store it in a safe location. When you are ready to use it, simply insert it into your computer and reboot. Your computer should detect it as bootable media and ask if you wish to boot off of it. Follow the instructions it gives in order to boot your computer with the repair CD. Once the recovery environment is loaded, you can then access the recovery options that are available.

For more information about the various tools that you can use in the Windows Recovery Environment, please see these tutorials for your particular operating system.

Windows XP

Windows Vista

Windows 7

Windows 8

Users who read this also read:

  • How to create a bootable USB Flash Recovery Drive in Windows 8 Image
    How to create a bootable USB Flash Recovery Drive in Windows 8

    Windows 8 has the ability to create a bootable USB flash recovery drive that can be used to troubleshoot a Windows 8 computer that is unable to start. A recovery drive is the same as a startup repair disk, but instead of being on a CD/DVD it is on a bootable USB drive. Once you boot up a Windows 8 computer with a Recovery Drive you will have access to a variety of diagnostic and troubleshooting ...

  • How to start the Windows 7 Recovery Environment Image
    How to start the Windows 7 Recovery Environment

    The Windows 7 Recovery Environment is a way to boot your computer into an offline mode where you can run various recovery and diagnostic tools that can be used to try and resolve problems with Windows. This environment is particularly helpful in resolving issues when Windows crashes, does not start, or when you have malware that cannot be removed while Windows is running. Using this environment ...

  • How to create a Windows system image in Windows 7 and Windows 8 Image
    How to create a Windows system image in Windows 7 and Windows 8

    Windows 7 and Windows 8 include the ability to create a system image that can be used to restore your computer's hard drives back to the exact state they were in when you created the backup. This backup is an exact replica of your drive including your personal data and Windows files. This allows you to setup your computer exactly as you want it and then restore it back to that state when it ...

  • How to install and use the Windows XP Recovery Console Image
    How to install and use the Windows XP Recovery Console

    The Recovery Console is a special boot up method that can be used to help fix problems that are preventing your Windows installation from properly booting up into Windows. This method allows you to access the files, format drives, disable and enable services, and other tasks from a console prompt while the operating system is not loaded. It is suggested that the Recovery Console is to only be used ...

  • Guide to Windows XP Recovery Features Image
    Guide to Windows XP Recovery Features

    Computers over time tend to start displaying problems. Whether that be the operating system not booting, programs not working, or random errors and crashes. To help alleviate these problems Windows XP comes with 6 methods that enable us to recover from these situations. These do not work in all cases, but a lot of headaches can be avoided by learning how these methods work. In this tutorial we ...

 

Comments:

blog comments powered by Disqus
search tutorials
Tutorials Navigation
Latest tutorials

Login

Sign in with Twitter button Sign in with Twitter

Not a member yet? Register Now