How do I use Windows 7 recovery USB?

Summary: System Recovery options in windows 7 including startup repair, system restore, system image recovery, windows memory diagnostics tool and command promptSee less System Recovery options in windows 7 including startup repair, system restore, system image recovery, windows memory diagnostics tool and command prompt

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Article Content

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Symptoms

This article provides information on System Recovery options in windows 7.

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The System Recovery Options menu contains several tools, such as Startup Repair, that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. This set of tools is on your computer's hard disk and on the Windows installation disc.

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer using the computer's power button.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system that is installed, press and hold F8 key as your computer restarts. Press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you need to try again by waiting until the Windows log in prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press Enter. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include preinstalled recovery options, or your network administrator has turned them off.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

If your operating system is severely corrupted and you cannot access the System Recovery Options menu on your computer, you can access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or using a system repair disc if you created one earlier.

To use this method, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the disc or USB flash drive.

1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, or a system repair disc, and then shut down your computer.
2. Restart your computer using the computer's power button.
3. When prompted, press any key, and then follow the instructions that appear.
4. On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
5. If you are using the Windows installation disc or USB flash drive, click Repair your computer.
6. Select the Windows installation that you want to repair, and then click Next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

System recovery OptionDescriptionStartup RepairFixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.System RestoreRestores your computer's system files to an earlier point in time without affecting your files, such as email, documents, or photos. If you use System Restore from the System Recovery Options menu, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you can run System Restore again and choose a different restore point, if one exists.System Image RecoveryYou need to have created a system image beforehand to use this option. A system image is a personalized backup of the partition that contains Windows and includes programs and user data, like documents, pictures, and music.Windows Memory Diagnostic ToolScans your computer's memory for errors. Command PromptAdvanced users can use Command Prompt to perform recovery-related operations and also run other command-line tools for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems.

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Repair Disk Fails to Create

Creating a system image and storing it externally on an optical drive or hard disk works. But, trying to create a recovery disk to initialize the back-up procedure shows an error "Microsoft Windows Repair Disc Has Stopped Working".

Windows error Logs report ole32.dll or AppCrash.exe is the point of failure.

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Workaround

This issue occurs when a Windows 7 repair disk creation is attempted on systems that are equipped with Dell Backup and Recovery (DBAR), Dell Backup and Recovery Manager (DBRM) or the application Box Sync. Follow the steps mentioned below:

How Do I Restore Windows 7 from a flash drive?

How do I restore my computer with a USB recovery drive?

How do I boot into Windows 7 recovery options?

Can I make a Windows 7 recovery USB from another computer?