Prepare recovery tools for your Windows images

If you want to reset a computer that runs Windows 10, see Recovery options in Windows 10.

OEMs: When you create custom Windows 10 and Windows Server images, update the recovery tools.

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE)

Both Windows 10 and Windows Server include a recovery environment that can repair common causes of unbootable operating systems.

Some customizations that you add to Windows should also be added to Windows RE:

Customization	What do I need to update?
Boot-critical drivers or languages	If you add these to your Windows image, add those same drivers and languages (when available) to Windows RE.
Custom recovery tools	Add a custom tool to the Windows RE boot options menu
Dedicated hardware button	Add a dedicated hardware button to boot immediately to WinRE

• Deploy Windows RE: If you’re deploying Windows using a .wim file, use these instrutions to deploy the recovery partition and hide the recovery drive letters.

Push-button reset

Windows 10 users can reset their device, either keeping data and apps intact or resetting it for a new user.

Some customizations that you add to Windows should also be added to the push-button reset tools:

Customization	What do I need to update?
Universal Windows apps	Automatically restored.
Drivers installed using an .inf file	Automatically restored.
Desktop apps or drivers installed using an .exe file	Capture into a provisioning package or a siloed provisioning package (SPP).
Out of Box Experience customizations, Start Menu, and Unattend.xml settings	In Windows 10, version 1809 and later, save a copy in your Auto-apply folders. In earlier versions or as an alternative, use extensibility scripts instead.
Settings created using Windows Configuration Designer (also known as ICD)	Copy the settings .ppkg file to C:\Recovery\Customizations.

Bare metal recovery

If the user needs to replace their hard drive or completely wipe it, they can use bootable USB key to restore their device.

Some customizations that you add to Windows should also be added to the push-button reset tools:

How To Use the Recovery Console on a Computer That Does Not Start

This article describes how to use the Recovery Console on a computer that does not start.

Original product version: В Windows Server 2003
Original KB number: В 326215

Summary

This step-by-step article describes how to use Recovery Console to recover a Windows Server 2003-based computer that does not start.

The Recovery Console is a command-line tool that you can use to repair Windows if the computer does not start correctly. You can start the Recovery Console from the Windows Server 2003 CD, or at startup, if you previously installed the Recovery Console on the computer.

Use the Recovery Console on a Computer that Does Not Start

You must be logged on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to perform this procedure. Also, if your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from completing this procedure.

To run the Recovery Console, follow these steps:

Configure the computer to start from the CD or the DVD drive. For more information, see the computer documentation or contact the computer manufacturer.

Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD in the computer’s CD or DVD drive.

Restart the computer.

When you receive the message that prompts you to press any key to start from the CD, press a key to start the computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD.

When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, press the R key to start the Recovery Console.

Select the Windows installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.

Follow the instructions that appear on the screen, type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER.

At the command prompt, type the appropriate Recovery Console commands to repair your Windows Server 2003 installation.

For a list of commands that are available in the Recovery Console, type
help at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

Alternatively, you can install the Recovery Console as a startup option on the computer so that it is always available. For information about how to do so, see the Precautionary Measures section in this article.

To quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type
exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

Recovery Console Commands

The following list describes the available commands for the Recovery Console:

Attrib changes attributes on one file or folder.

Batch executes commands that you specify in the text file, InputFile. OutputFile holds the output of the commands. If you omit the OutputFile argument, output is displayed on the screen.

Bootcfg is used for boot configuration and recovery. You can use the bootcfg command to make changes to the Boot.ini file.

CD (chdir) operates only in the system directories of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root directory of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

Chkdsk: The /p switch runs Chkdsk even if the drive is not flagged as dirty. The /r switch locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. This switch implies /p. Chkdsk requires Autochk. Chkdsk automatically looks for Autochk.exe in the startup folder or in the boot folder. If Chkdsk cannot find the file in the startup folder, it looks for the Windows Server 2003 installation CD. If Chkdsk cannot find the installation CD, it prompts the user for the location of Autochk.exe.

Cls clears the screen.

Copy copies one file to a target location. By default, the target cannot be removable media, and you cannot use wildcard characters. Copying a compressed file from the Windows Server 2003 installation CD automatically decompresses the file.

Del (delete) deletes one file. Del operates in the system directories of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root directory of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources. By default, you cannot use wildcard characters.

Dir displays a list of all files, including hidden and system files.

Disable disables a Windows system service or a Windows driver. The servicename argument is the name of the service or the driver that you want to disable. When you use this command to disable a service, it displays the service’s original startup type before changing the type to SERVICE_DISABLED. It is a good idea to note the original startup type so that you can use the enable command to restart the service.

Diskpart manages partitions on hard disk volumes.

• The /add option creates a new partition.
• The /delete option deletes an existing partition.
• The device-name argument is the device name for a new partition. One example of a device name for a new partition is \device\harddisk0.
• The drive-name argument is the drive letter for a partition that you are deleting, such as D: .
• Partition-name is the partition-based name for a partition that you are deleting, and can be used instead of the drive-name argument. One example of a partition-based name is \device\harddisk0\partition1.
• The size argument is the size in megabytes of a new partition.

Enable enables a Windows system service or a Windows driver. The servicename argument is the name of the service or the driver that you want to enable, and start_type is the startup type for an enabled service. The startup type uses one of the following formats:

Exit quits the Recovery Console and then restarts the computer.

Expand expands a compressed file. The source argument is the file that you want to expand. By default, you cannot use wildcard characters. The destination argument is the directory for the new file. By default, the destination cannot be removable media and cannot be read-only. You can use the attrib command to remove the read-only attribute from the destination directory. The option /f:filespec is required if the source contains more than one file. This option permits wildcard characters. The /y switch disables the overwrite confirmation prompt. The /d switch specifies that the files should not be expanded and displays a directory of the files in the source.

Fixboot writes a new boot sector on the system partition. The fixboot command is only supported on x86-based computers.

Fixmbr repairs the boot partition’s master boot record (MBR). The device-name argument is an optional name that specifies the device that requires a new MBR. Omit this variable when the target is the boot device. The fixmbr command is only supported on x86-based computers.

Format formats a disk. The /q switch performs a quick format. The /fs: file-system switch specifies the file system.

Help lists all the commands that the Recovery Console supports. For more information about a specific command, type help
command-name or
command-name /? .

Listsvc displays all available services and drivers on the computer.

Logon displays detected installations of Windows and requests the local Administrator password for those installations. Use this command to move to another installation or subdirectory.

Map displays currently active device mappings. Include the arc option to specify the use of Advanced RISC Computing (ARC) paths instead of Windows device paths. (ARC is the format that is used for the Boot.ini file.)

Md (Mkdir) creates a directory. The command operates only in the system directories of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root directory of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

More/Type displays the specified text file to the screen.

Rd (rmdir) removes a directory. The command operates only in the system directories of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root directory of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources.

Ren (rename) renames a single file. The command operates only in the system directories of the current Windows installation, in removable media, in the root directory of any hard disk partition, or in the local installation sources. You cannot specify a new drive or path as the target.

Set displays and sets the Recovery Console environment variables.

Systemroot sets the current directory to %systemroot%.

Precautionary Measures

How to Install the Recovery Console as a Startup Option

You can install the Recovery Console on a working computer so that it is available to use if you cannot start Windows. This precautionary measure can save you time if you must use the Recovery Console.

You must be logged on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to complete this procedure. Also, if your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from completing this procedure.

To install the Recovery Console as a startup option:

While Windows is running, insert the Windows Server 2003 CD in the computer’s CD or DVD drive.

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type the following line, where
drive is the drive letter of the computer’s CD drive or DVD drive that contains the Windows Server 2003 CD, and then click OK:
**drive: \i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

To install Recovery console as a startup option for Windows Server 2003 x64 edition, type the following line:
**drive: \amd64\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

Click Yes when the message appears, to install the Recovery Console.

When you receive the message that states that the Recovery Console is successfully installed, click OK.

To use the Recovery Console, restart the computer, and then use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows Recovery Console in the Please select the operating system to start list.

How to Remove the Recovery Console

As a precaution, do not remove the Recovery Console. However, if you want to remove the Recovery Console, you must do so manually.

To remove the Recovery Console, follow these steps:

Restart the computer.

Click Start, and then click My Computer.

Turn on the Show hidden files and folders option (if it is not already turned on). To do so, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Click Show hidden files and folders, click to clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box (if it is selected), and then click OK.

Double-click the drive letter that represents the hard disk on which you installed the Recovery Console.

Delete the Cmdcons folder from the root folder, and then delete the Cmldr file. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Right-click Cmdcons, and then click Delete. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.
2. Right-click Cmldr, and then click Delete. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen, and then click Yes to confirm the deletion.

Remove the Recovery Console entry from the Boot.ini file. To do so, follow these steps.

Incorrectly modifying the Boot.ini file may prevent your computer from restarting. Make sure that you delete only the entry for the Recovery Console.

At the root folder, right-click the Boot.ini file, and then click Properties. Click to clear the Read-only check box, and then click OK.

Open the Boot.ini file in Notepad.

Locate the Recovery Console entry, and then delete it. The Recovery Console entry looks similar to the following line:
C:\cmdcons\bootsect.dat=»Microsoft Windows Recovery Console» /cmdcons

On the File menu, click Save, and then click Exit to quit Notepad.

Recovery options in Windows 10

If you’re having problems with your PC, the following table can help you decide which recovery option to use.

See this section

Your PC isn’t working well and you recently installed an update.

Your PC isn’t working well and it’s been a while since you installed an app, driver, or update.

Your PC won’t start, you haven’t created a recovery drive, and resetting your PC didn’t work.

Your PC won’t start and you haven’t created a recovery drive.

Your PC won’t start and you’ve created a recovery drive.

You want to reinstall your previous operating system.

Your PC isn’t working well and you recently installed an app.

Click one of the recovery options below and follow the steps to try to get things working again.

If you’ve recently installed a Windows update, uninstall the update to try to resolve the issue.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View your update history > Uninstall updates.
View update history settings

Right-click the update you want to remove, and then select Uninstall.

Important: If you’ve encrypted your device, you’ll need your BitLocker key to reset your PC If you don’t know your BitLocker key, see Find my BitLocker recovery key.

Resetting reinstalls Windows 10, but lets you choose whether to keep your files or remove them, and then reinstalls Windows. You can reset your PC from Settings, the sign-in screen, or by using a recovery drive or installation media.

Reset your PC from Settings

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Recovery .
Open Recovery settings

Under Reset this PC, select Get started and then choose from the options and/or settings in the table below.

Keep my files > Change settings > Preinstalled apps On

Reinstalls Windows 10 and keeps your personal files.

Removes apps and drivers you installed.

Removes changes you made to settings.

Restores any apps your PC manufacturer installed if your PC came with Windows 10.

Keep my files > Change settings > Preinstalled apps Off

Reinstalls Windows 10 and keeps your personal files.

Removes apps and drivers you installed.

Removes changes you made to settings.

Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed.

Reinstalls Windows 10 and removes your personal files.

Removes apps and drivers you installed.

Removes changes you made to settings.

Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)

Note: Remove everything > Change settings gives you two options.

Data erasure On removes files and cleans the drive. If you’re planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you’ve removed.

Data erasure Off just removes files. It takes less time, but is less secure.

Reset your PC from the sign-in screen

If you can’t open Settings, you can reset your PC from the sign-in screen. Here’s how:

Press Windows logo key + L to get to the sign-in screen, and then restart your PC by pressing the Shift key while you select the Power button > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Your PC will restart in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) environment.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC, and then choose one of the options in the previous table.

Connect the installation media you created to your PC and reinstall Windows 10.

Open File Explorer and select the drive with the installation media.

From the root directory of the drive, double-click setup.exe, and then select Yes when asked if you’d like to allow the app to make changes to your device.

Select Change what to keep.

Select one of the following options, and then select Next:

Keep personal files and apps – This will preserve your personal data, apps, and settings.

Keep personal files only – This will preserve your personal data and settings, but all your apps will be removed.

Keep nothing – This will remove all personal data, settings, and apps.

Warning: You cannot undo a reinstallation of Windows 10. Be sure to back up your files first if you choose the Keep nothing option.

To finish, select Install to start reinstalling Windows 10 on your PC.

Your PC will restart several times during the resinstallation.

Important: If you’ve encrypted your device, you’ll need your BitLocker key to use a recovery drive to restore or reset your PC If you don’t know your BitLocker key, see Find my BitLocker recovery key.

If your PC won’t start and you haven’t created a recovery drive, download installation media and use it to restore from a system restore point or reset your PC.

Download the Windows 10 media creation tool and then run it.

Select Create installation media for another PC.

Choose a language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit).

Follow the steps to create installation media, and then select Finish.

Connect the installation media you created to your nonfunctional PC, and then turn it on.

On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next. If you don’t see the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for info on how to change your PC’s boot order, and then try again.

Select Repair your computer.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot. From there, you can:

Restore from a system restore point by selecting Advanced options > System Restore. This will remove recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that might be causing your PC problems. Restoring from a restore point won’t affect your personal files.

Important: If you’ve encrypted your device, you’ll need your BitLocker key to use a recovery drive to restore or reset your PC If you don’t know your BitLocker key, see Find my BitLocker recovery key.

If your PC won’t start, you can use a recovery drive to restore from a system restore point or recover your PC. For info on how to create a recovery drive on a working PC, see Create a recovery drive.

Note: If you are using a Surface, see Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface to download and create a USB recovery image specifically for your Surface device.

To restore or recover using the recovery drive:

Connect the recovery drive and turn on your PC.

Press Windows logo key + L to get to the sign-in screen, and then restart your PC by pressing the Shift key while you select the Power button> Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Your PC will restart in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) environment.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot, and then select one of the following two options. (If you don’t see the Choose your option screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for info on how to change your PC’s boot order.)

To restore from a system restore point, select Advanced Options > System Restore. This won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove recently installed apps, drivers, and updates that might be causing your PC problems.

To reinstall Windows 10, select Advanced Options > Recover from a drive. This will remove your personal files, apps and drivers you installed, and changes you made to settings.

For a limited time after upgrading to Windows 10, you’ll be able to go back to your previous version of Windows by selecting the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and then selecting Get started under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10. This will keep your personal files, but it’ll remove apps and drivers installed after the upgrade, as well as any changes you made to settings. In most cases, you’ll have 10 days to go back.
Open Recovery settings

To go back, you’ll need to:

Keep everything in the windows.old and $windows.

bt folders after the upgrade.

Remove any user accounts you added after the upgrade.

Know the password you used to sign in to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (if you used one).

Have the USB drive you used to upgrade to Windows 10 (if you used one).

Note: If you go back to Windows 8.1, some apps that came with Windows, like Mail and People, might not work anymore. To fix the apps, reinstall them from the Microsoft Store.

Note: The option in Settings to go back to your previous version of Windows is only available for a limited time after upgrading.

Info for Windows Insiders

If you’re an Insider and the current preview build isn’t working for you, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Recovery . Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10, select Get Started. This won’t remove your personal files, but it’ll remove recently installed apps and drivers, and change settings back to their defaults.

Going back to an earlier build won’t remove you from the Insider Program. When the next preview build is ready, it’ll be installed on your PC.

This option takes your PC back to an earlier point in time, called a system restore point. Restore points are generated when you install a new app or driver, and when you create a restore point manually. Restoring won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made.

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel,andthen choose it from the list of results

In the Control Panel search box, type recovery.

Select Recovery > Open System Restore.

In the Restore system files and setting box, select Next.

Select the restore point that you want to use in the list of results, and then select Scan for affected programs.

If you don’t see the restore point that you want to use, select the Show more restore points check box to see more restore points.

If you’re not seeing any restore points, it might be because system protection isn’t turned on. Here’s how to check:

In the search box on the taskbar, type control panel,andthen choose it from the list of results.

In the Control Panel search box, type recovery.

Select Recovery > Configure System Restore > Configure and see if the Turn on system protection option is selected.

If the Turn on system protection option is not selected, system protection isn’t turned on and there aren’t any restore points. In this scenario, you won’t be able to recovery your PC using a system restore point and will need to use one of the other recovery options listed on this page.

If the Turn on system protection option is selected, continue with step 6.

You’ll see a list of items that will be deleted if you remove this restore point. If you’re OK with the deletions, select Close> Next > Finish.