Share via

Unable to install from USB recovery disk

Anonymous
2021-01-22T04:43:13+00:00

I created a USB recovery disk 10 months ago.  Recently I had issues with my PC and went to use the recovery disk to reinstall a clean version of Windows.  The PC brought up the recovery program, deleted all the files on the computer's hard drive and then failed to reinstall windows.  Looking at the contents of the drive it has folders for EFI and sources.

The reagent.xml file shows the following:

<WindowsRE version="2.0">

  <WinreBCD id="{5fc52f6d-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-88d73650f8af}"/>

  <WinreLocation path="\Recovery\WindowsRE" id="480482667" offset="105906176" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}"/>

  <ImageLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}"/>

  <PBRImageLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}" index="0"/>

  <PBRCustomImageLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}" index="0"/>

  <InstallState state="1"/>

  <OsInstallAvailable state="0"/>

  <CustomImageAvailable state="0"/>

  <IsAutoRepairOn state="1"/>

  <WinREStaged state="0"/>

  <OperationParam path=""/>

  <OperationPermanent state="0"/>

  <OsBuildVersion path="18362.1.amd64fre.19h1_release.190318-1202"/>

  <OemTool state="1"/>

  <IsServer state="0"/>

  <DownlevelWinreLocation path="" id="0" offset="0" guid="{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}"/>

  <IsWimBoot state="0"/>

  <NarratorScheduled state="0"/>

  <ScheduledOperation state="5"/>

</WindowsRE>

The USB recovery disk uses 6GB of a 16GB device and is recognized by the PC when booted in UEFI mode [choose keyboard layout comes up and proceeds to recovery].  Recovery runs and ends with 'There was a problem resetting your PC.  No changes were made' (other than deleting everything off the hard drive).  If I go into TroubleShoot\Command Prompt I'm placed in the X: drive.  In Notepad I can navigate through the directories I would expect to see on the recovery drive.  Regedit opens up the registry.

Looking for suggestions on how to proceed.  At the very least, can I extract the Windows license from the USB drive to install a clean install off an ISO?

Thanks.

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
    2021-01-22T05:20:22+00:00

    Hi Clayton. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

    I will give you all possible steps to troubleshoot Windows installation failure which work in about 90% of cases. If not we'll go from there:

    Follow the illustrated Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    Make sure all other drives and peripherals are unplugged. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware to latest, or reset to Defaults, making sure (if you have it) UEFI is enabled, CSM or Legacy BIOS disabled, Windows Boot Manager set first to boot, if necessary disable Secure and Fast Boot until after install, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit. Access BIOS/UEFI Setup as shown here: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-pc-bios-...

    Create the latest Windows 10 Installation Media by installing Media Creation Tool and following the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... If you're using another PC to do this uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

    Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

    If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first. If you can start Windows enter UEFI firmware here: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

    The media may also be bad, so confirm it boots and queues up per these steps in another PC, or else recreate it. You can also try a DVD, or the alternate download site from MS TechBench here: https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php. Burn to DVD using WIndows Image Burner or create bootable flash using one of the options here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create...

    Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type the following commands, each followed by Enter key:

    DISKPART

    LIST DISK

    SEL DIS # (replace # with the disk # of the Windows disk from list in previous command)

    CLEAN

    EXIT

    Close Command Box, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen choose Unallocated Space, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

    Make sure to follow the setup steps in the first link tutorial to complete your install. Drivers are important enough that those steps are printed in red.

    You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the first linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

    If all else fails you can move the hard drive to another PC to do the install with it plugged in alone. Windows 10 is remarkably adaptive to new hardware without needing adaptive restore. If it will start it will swap out all drivers requiring several restarts. You can also try applying a same-version System Image to the intact SSD/hard drive.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments