How to Make a Bootable USB for System Repair or Restore
Why make a bootable USB
In the event of a computer malfunction, such as a virus attack, hacker attack, or accidental file deletion, a bootable media may be required to resolve the issue. This is because the computer may fail to boot normally, and the media serves as a temporary operating system to access and repair the system.
Reinstallation: Reinstalling Windows is the most thorough way to solve system problems, but will also erase your settings, apps or some personal files, and should be considered a last resort when all else fails.
Troubleshooting: Windows has built-in troubleshooting options in the Recovery Environment, allowing users to repair the system, run Command Prompt, or enter Safe Mode, among other features, to help resolve issues and get the system up and running again.
Perform system recovery: With a backup created beforehand, you can also perform a full System Image Recovery using a bootable USB.
Copy important data: If your computer crashes without warning and fails to boot, you may want to save at least some of your important personal data without logging into Windows, which can be done by saving files to an external hard drive or USB drive, or by using a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to back up your files. This way, you can still access your important documents, photos, and other files even if your computer is not functioning properly.
Now many light-weight laptops don't have a DVD drive, and a USB stick is definitely more portable and compatible. Therefore, making a bootable USB becomes a more popular choice. Keep reading and I will introduce how to do it in Windows computers.
How to make a recovery USB in Windows 11/10/8
Since Windows 8, a Recovery Drive can be created using the built-in Recovery Drive tool, which can be used to reset or troubleshoot system problems. This drive can also be used to reinstall Windows if system files have been backed up to it.
✤Preparations:
- To create a bootable USB drive using this tool, you need a USB drive with at least 16 gigabytes of space available.
- To use the USB drive as a boot device, it's recommended to use an empty USB drive, as the process will erase the data stored on it. If the USB drive is not empty, it's a good idea to back up its contents first to prevent any loss of data.
How to make a recovery USB in Windows:
1. Connect the USB to your computer and ensure it can be detected. Next, search for "recovery drive" on the taskbar and launch it.
2. If you want to be able to reinstall Windows, tick the box to backup system files to the recovery drive and click Next to proceed.
3. Wait for a while, and select the detected USB drive. Then click Next.
4. Then click Create to make the recovery drive. After finishing, eject the USB.
How to use the bootable USB created by Recovery Drive:
1. When your PC won't boot into Windows, insert a USB and restart the computer. If that doesn't work, press the key required to enter BIOS, and set the USB as the first boot option.
2. Here are the steps to troubleshoot and choose a keyboard layout in Windows: Choose the keyboard layout and select Troubleshoot. You will then have two options: Recover from a USB, which will lead to Windows reinstallation, or Advanced options, which will take you to normal recovery options.
This type of recovery USB can help resolve system problems and get the computer running smoothly again. It also allows for System Restore or System Image Recovery, which can restore the computer to a previous state, but the process can be complex.
It can be frustrating to spend a lot of time preparing for a backup, only to fail due to a small mistake, such as being unable to create a recovery drive, system image backup, or encountering issues like "Windows cannot find system image on this computer".
If you want to avoid the complexities of repairing or restoring a system, you can try a simpler and more powerful free tool that is more compatible.
How to make a bootable USB with complete features in Windows
Qiling PE Builder is a free tool that creates a bootable Windows PE media, allowing users to perform various system recovery and troubleshooting tasks in a Windows-based environment, making it more versatile than a standard recovery USB.
👉How can this bootable USB created by PE Builder help you:
Computer breaks down suddenly - Rescue system with tools snap-in the Windows PE.
Infect virus Transferring data and packing the offline version of antivirus software is essential to eliminate viruses. This process involves securely moving data to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage, and then installing the offline antivirus software on the affected device.
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For better disk and partition management - Use Qiling Parititon Assistant snap-in the Windows PE.
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Qiling PE Builder allows you to create a bootable media in just a few steps. Simply download the freeware and follow the straightforward process to get started.
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2. In this step, you can embed some 3rd party portable tools and drivers for custom bootable media.
3. Qiling PE Builder supports Windows 10, 8.1/8, 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012, making it unnecessary to download and install WAIK or ADK.
4. Here, of course, choose the second option: USB boot device. Then click "Proceed" to commit.
5. To create a USB boot disc, follow the steps shown above and click "Finish" to complete the process.
To use the bootable USB, you need to adjust the boot order to prioritize the USB device, allowing you to enter the Windows PE system. For further instructions and details, please refer to the PE Builder Help Guide.
Summary
Using Qiling PE Builder to make a bootable USB is free and easy. The Windows PE it produces comes with a full Windows desktop, Explorer, start menu, taskbar, and more, allowing users to navigate and operate in the environment with ease.
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