Create a recovery drive

Note: Recovery drives created and used on machines with the May 9 security update and the revocation policy applied may be impacted. For more, see KB5025885: How to manage the Windows Boot Manager revocations for Secure Boot changes associated with CVE-2023-24932.

It's a good idea to create a recovery drive. That way, if your PC ever experiences a major issue such as hardware failure, you'll be able to use the recovery drive to reinstall Windows 11. Windows updates to improve security and PC performance periodically, so we recommend you recreate the recovery drive annually. Personal files and any apps that did not come with your PC will not be backed up. You'll need a USB drive that's at least 16 gigabytes.

Warning: Use an empty USB drive because this process will erase any data that's already stored on the drive. 

To create a recovery drive in Windows 11:

In the search box on the taskbar, search for Create a recovery drive and then select it. You might be asked to enter an admin password or confirm your choice.

When the tool opens, make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected and then select Next.

Connect a USB drive to your PC, select it, and then select Next.

Select Create. Many files need to be copied to the recovery drive, so this might take a while.

If you ever need to use the recovery drive to reinstall Windows 11 on your PC, see Recovery options in Windows for further instructions. It's a good idea to Back up your Windows PC frequently because the recovery drive isn't a system image. It doesn't contain your personal files, settings, or programs.

Need more options for creating a recovery drive?

For Windows 7, see Create a system repair disc.

For Windows 8.1, see Create a USB recovery drive.

To download Windows 11 installation media, see Recovery options in Windows.

Note: Recovery drives created and used on machines with the May 9 security update and the revocation policy applied may be impacted. For more, see KB5025885: How to manage the Windows Boot Manager revocations for Secure Boot changes associated with CVE-2023-24932.

It's a good idea to create a recovery drive. That way, if your PC ever experiences a major issue such as hardware failure, you'll be able to use the recovery drive to reinstall Windows 10. Windows updates to improve security and PC performance periodically, so we recommend you recreate the recovery drive annually. Personal files and any apps that did not come with your PC will not be backed up. You'll need a USB drive that's at least 16 gigabytes.

Warning: Use an empty USB drive because this process will erase any data that's already stored on the drive.

To create a recovery drive in Windows 10:

In the search box next to the Start  button, search for Create a recovery drive and then select it. You might be asked to enter an admin password or confirm your choice.

When the tool opens, make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected and then select Next.

Connect a USB drive to your PC, select it, and then select Next.

Select Create. Many files need to be copied to the recovery drive, so this might take a while.

If you ever need to use the recovery drive to reinstall Windows 10 on your PC, see Recovery options in Windows for further instructions. It's a good idea to Back up your Windows PC frequently because the recovery drive isn't a system image. It doesn't contain your personal files, settings, or programs.

Need more options for creating a recovery drive?

For Windows 7, see Create a system repair disc.

For Windows 8.1, see Create a USB recovery drive.

To download Windows 10 installation media, see Recovery options in Windows.