Walkthrough: Create a Windows RE Recovery Media
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
Note
This content applies to Windows 7. For Windows 8 content, see Windows Deployment with the Windows ADK.
This walkthrough describes how to create a recovery media using Windows® Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE). In the event of a system failure, you can start the computer with this recovery media and attempt to fix the system.
Prerequisites
To complete this walkthrough, you will need the following:
A technician computer that provides all the tools and source files necessary to create a Windows RE recovery media. For more information, see Building a Technician Computer.
An authorized copy of a Windows 7 product DVD.
Blank media; for example, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.
Step 1: Create a Windows RE Image
If you are using the default Windows RE image, or have already created a custom image, skip to step 2.Otherwise, create a Windows RE image as described in Walkthrough: Create a Windows RE Image.
Step 2: Create a bootable media
In this step, you create a bootable Windows PE media and replace the default boot image with your custom Windows RE image.
Create a bootable Windows PE media as outlined in the following topic:
Follow the walkthrough instructions with one addition: Prior to copying or burning the image to media, replace the Windows PE boot image (ISO\Boot.wim) with your Windows RE image. For example,
copy C:\winre_x86\winre.wim C:\ISO\sources\boot.wim
Important
You must rename your Windows RE image to Boot.wim, otherwise the image will not boot.