Can't create recovery drive on this PC

Anonymous
2012-11-10T16:19:44+00:00

Hi guys,

Just tried to create a recovery USB drive. But I find that "We can't create a recovery drive on this PC. Some required files are missing. To troubleshoot problems when your PC can't start, use your Windows installation disc or media."

Uh?

Is a fresh Windows 8 x64 (RTM) installation. Only thing that I can think of is it has UEFI and Secure Boot enabled.

Ideas?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-09T03:47:23+00:00

    Can you open up an Elevated Command Prompt?

    Windows 8 – Elevated Command Prompt

    http://www.tweakhound.com/2012/11/12/windows-8-elevated-command-prompt/

    If you can, type the word "Control" into it and see if you can locate Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Recovery and from that create a Recovery Drive.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-08T04:44:23+00:00

    Sandeep;

    I realize that this would work amazingly EXCEPT for the face that I can not access any of administration function... What do I do?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-07T02:53:31+00:00

    On a working Windows 8.1 machine, see  Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Recovery\Create a Recovery Drive.

    Create a Recovery Drive and use that to boot from in a faulty machine and try accessing the advanced startup options/safe mode.

    When you create a Recovery Drive you are given the option (via a check box) to copy across the hidden recovery partition from your machine.  If you choose that option then the size of USB required will be many times larger than if you don't choose the option.

    Create installation media for Windows 8.1

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media?ocid=tp_css_createmedia

    Try contacting your OEM for the Windows 8 Recovery Media.  For a small charge they should be able to supply you with a copy on DVD or USB.  This will allow you to reinstall Windows 8 to factory settings as of day one.

    How to create a system image to refresh your Windows 8 PC

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2748351

    How to create a custom refresh image in Windows 8

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/create-custom-refresh-image-in-windows-8/

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-06T21:57:25+00:00

    Who's instructions are you looking at? try reffering to the MS help and support sites above OEM manuals - they put a bit more effort in.

    Sounds like a bad translation in the manual. possibly some confusion around the word 'minimum' to 'less than. 4Gb would not be enough. 32Gb sounds a lot to me, but if thats including OEM software etc, then probably not excessive.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-01-06T21:33:38+00:00

    Hello - I do not have a reply but a question.  I have a HP Envy TouchSmart SE and am trying to create a recovery disc on a USB.  Following destructions (not a typo), "Need USB less than 32gb (and not for Windows 8.1), but larger than the size of source files".  I tried using a clean 4gb, then was prompted that I needed a 32gb.  This is a contradiction (ergo "destructions).  My USB did appear in Removable Storage Section", so that doesn't appear to be the problem.  Any answers or suggestions?  Thank you.

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