Share via

Recovery Drive vs System Repair Disc vs Boot Drive? (Windows 10)

Anonymous
2019-08-22T04:12:13+00:00

Hi.  Just did my first System Image onto an external hard drive from my Windows 10 laptop.  It worked.  At the end it asked me do I want to make a System Repair Disc.  I said yes.  I see I can only choose to use the CD drive.  When traveling (regular) I would rather take a flash drive.  CD's are easy to damage.  So I looked up and saw that a 'Recovery Drive' can be put on a USB device.  Searching for what that means I have only seen a vague indication it's more content than a 'System Repair Disc'.  I am hoping that is not just another term for a 'System Image'.  I don't really want 2 of them.

So I have 3 questions please:

(1) Is a 'Recovery Drive'  closer to a System Repair Disc in content and intention than a whole system image (as I already have that), and if not then is there a USB based solution other than a whole system image, which would be rather overkill and long-winded and tedious to have available for some boot type resolution.

(2) If a 'Recovery Drive' is what I need, then my flash drive is 16GB, is that big enough?  If not what size (would say a 32GB flash drive do?

(3) Apart from a system image, recovery drive and then initiating File History back-ups.  Should one set up anything else for Back up and Recovery e.g. say a 'Boot Disk' or does that mean the same thing?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-22T04:34:42+00:00

    Hi Mike, I am Rob, an independent and a 14 time and dual award MVP specializing in Windows troubleshooting and Bluescreen analysis. Please remember as independents we are not responsible for the development of Windows or the computer hardware and drivers. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

    You can make a USB boot disk (Flash/Thumb drive) which can be used to Repair Windows or even to Install Clean, Best is to use a 16 GB which is dedicated to only it. Keep this update to date by remaking after every major release and more often to avoid having to take time to install too many past updates when used.

    How to Prepare Bootable Install Media for Windows 10 - DVD, USB or SD Card

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    ====

    Also you can make a System Image and/or a Clone on an External USB drive. The former can be used to replace the system disk back to the time it was made. The latter can be internally placed in the computer in place of the present drive to actually boot and continue on in the state it was in as the time of creation. Of course, an SSD is best for these purposes though keep size in mind. Even if present drive in 1TB or larger keep the system partition small enough to fit on a SSD as cost is important to you).

    Use Macrium Reflect - Free to make both.

    Macrium Reflect - Free

    https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

    Good backups can also be make using AOMEI BackUpper - Free. Make incremental or differential backups.

    AOMEI BackUpper - Free

    https://www.aomeitech.com/download.html

    ====

    Which is best? Be prepared and use them ALL.

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

    Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments