One of the best features of Windows 7 is that it lets you create a repair disc so that you can use it when you encounter problems with the installation. You can use this recovery disc to access system recovery options.
We have already covered how to create a system repair disc in Windows 7. Unfortunately, Windows 7 doesn’t allow you to create a bootable USB flash drive. So, in this guide, we will show you how to create a bootable Windows 7 recovery USB flash drive.
The procedure is simple and pretty much similar to our how to install Windows 7 from USB flash drive guide. And the best thing is that you don’t need a Windows 7 installation DVD to create this recovery USB drive.
Repairing Windows 7 from a USB flash drive
Method 1:
1. Type create system repair disc in Windows 7 Start menu search box and hit enter.
2. In the resulting dialog box, select your DVD drive. Insert a blank DVD into the DVD drive and then click Create disc button to start creating your Windows 7 repair disc. Wait for a few minutes to complete the burning task.
3. Once you have your Windows 7 repair disc, you can now create a Windows 7 recovery USB drive. Plug your USB flash drive and make sure that you have no data on the USB drive as we are going to format it.
4. Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges. To do this, type CMD in Start menu search field and then hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Alternatively, go to All programs, Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt and then select Run as administrator.
5. In the command prompt, you need to execute the following commands.
Type DISKPART and hit enter.
Now, type LIST DISK and press enter to see the list of disks attached to your computer. In the next step, you need to select your USB flash drive that you are using to create system recovery drive (in this example, we are selecting Disk 1).
From now on, type all the following commands one by one and then hit enter (again, please make sure that you are replacing the DISK 1 with your Disk number).
SELECT DISK 1
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS
(Format process may take few seconds)
ASSIGN
EXIT
6. Now, insert the previously created repair disc and copy all the contents (contains three items) to the USB flash drive. You have just created a bootable Windows 7 recovery USB drive. Good luck!
Method 2: Users who don’t like to burn a DVD can refer to this method.
1. Download Windows 7 Recovery Disc ISO file.
2. Follow the procedure given in step 4 and step 5 (under Method 1).
3. Extract the ISO file contents using WinRAR or 7-Zip to your USB flash drive to create your USB recovery drive.
4. Before you restart your PC, you might need to enable USB booting feature in the BIOS settings.
5. Good luck!
Kevin Almer says
This worked for me. I have a Lenovo x230 with Windows 7 (no CD/DVD). I had to QUICK format into Fat32 rather then NFTS. I also downloaded TotalMounter 2.01 from Kern Safe to create the disk repair virtual CD. Then went to “create a repair disk” in Windows 7. I copied the 3 files from the virtual CD to the USB. I also change the Boot order in BIOS to put USB mass storage in the 1st position. (If the USB is not plugged in the computer will just start normally.) If it is done correctly, the files will “load” and a prompt will begin the repair process. If the files don’t “load” try a QUICK format in NFST instead. I hope this helps. I also recommend AOMEIBackerupper, It is a handy alternative.
Best Regards, Kevin
prince spraggins says
I have a Window recovery flash drive that I ordered, because I get a (ShellExecuteEx failed, Code 2) the system cannot find the file specified. will u please tell me how to use it to get this situation fixed. I have a desktop, window 7 professional 64/32 bit. thanks.
Mohammad kamal Hussan says
SELECT DISK 1
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT FS=NTFS
(Format process may take few seconds)
ASSIGN
EXIT
……………. I have commanded this text but accidentally I have had lost my 2nd HDD (all graphics data)……… So I like to request you please help me How can get back my data from the drives.
Nothelpful says
” How to boot via USB without a repair disk” … Step 1: Make a repair disk. Thanks a ton.
Bill says
While helpful it won’t help on this pc because the original hard drive was dead. I have only a new blank hard drive to work with. No recovery cd etc.
I ordered Windows 10 & support helped me convert the Windows 20 download to a bootable DVD so now I can install from DVD which is in my boot list.
pk says
Hey, this totally solved my problem of creating a bootable usb stick.
Thanks a Ton.
Jaime Marte says
Thanks !!!
Steven says
format fs=ntfs quick was not even mentioned in this article. Mediocre.
Prod says
Thank you so much!!!! :)
Bax says
Worked like a charm! Thanks!
Tim B says
BUMP Jim’s Sept. 24th post. I’m having the same problem. Argh!
Jim says
The instructions worked like a charm for creating the bootable USB. However I have run into an issue when trying to use it to boot. The windows boot manager screen comes up and tells me windows failed to start. Put in the install disk (i don’t have one…I have a windows recovery USB I made when the computer was new). I’m trying to recover from a catastrophic hard drive crash where I had to replace the hard drive all together. It looks like \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe is missing
status 0xc0000001.
I’m a little confused and could use some help.
leonardo says
muchas gracias buddy, i forget this method and you give me easily thank you =D
Zul says
I can not enter the windows at all… I stuck at [ bootmgr is compressed ]….
How can I fix it? I don’t think I can even reach the command prompt… I can only start and restart repeatedly…. Please help me….
dan03 says
i think its “format fs=ntfs quick” for quick format
hayden says
format fs=ntfs diskpart has encountered an error the parameter is incorrect,..
Yingtong Li says
If you can get a copy of the Windows 7 Repair Disk ISO (ask a friend or search for a torrent *cough*), you can partition the USB (search GParted) on a Mac and extract the files just fine.
Eric Chang says
Hello. Recently, my brother broke his computer. It wasn’t able to boot properly, so he gave up and bought a new computer. I was looking forward to restoring it and making it my own. However there are 2 problems. 1. I don’t have a restore disk. 2. I could use these instructions, but I have an iMac, and it appears you need a Windows computer to get this done. Help?
J.Clattenburg says
I keep getting BOOTMGR is missing Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart.
Any suggestions
Anne-Laure says
Thanks. It saved me. I could’nt boot my laptop from the CD drive and now everything is OK
Anne-Laure
D.Beaty says
Excellent instructions… Thank you
chiet97 says
I’m broken my windows 7 notebook few days ago. And it’s say file “winload.exe” crush or something…
I don’t have the recovery disc, so i have to use this method.
After formating my removable storage, what is exactly location files should i put.
Please tell me what files do I need to put inside my removable storage?
And after put all the files, what i need to do?
Rio says
Thank you. Solved my problem… :-D
Richar danda Richest says
Thank you so much. I really had a hard time trying to revive my crushed hp mini laptop. However, instead of formating using the cmd which takes long, better use usbformat:-
It formats faster
vaijenath says
How To Repair Windows 7 From USB Flash Drive (Repair Without Installation DVD Disc)
jeff says
The link provided in step 1 of method 2 is not the Windows 7 Recovery ISO, but some Linux thing that I do not trust. Waste of $$$ – fix the link or be upfront about what the linked ISO is..
Nathan says
I have a question, what do I do next? Sorry for being a COMPLETE idiot but I do not understand how to use it. Also, can I use this to return my PC to factory state and if so, how?
Thanks in advance
Minh says
Thanks so much!!!!! You’re my life saver! This works like a charm\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
ali says
Thank you for this offer of good help to protect my pc
this is very helpful and practical
best regards
ali
[email protected] says
For me this did not work.
The system tries to boot from the pen but givens an /boobt/bce file error.
And then it asks you to insert the installion cd instead, because whatever it failed to read the boot information from the pen.
Brad says
I just managed to make this work with windows 7 USB/DVD tool – no need to go through the cmd hassle. This guide should be ammended with this advice, just like the install windows 7 from usb was.
Just download a system restore disk .iso from the internet and select it in windows 7 USB/DVD tool. It will perhaps complain that the iso file is not valid. If so use a free tool like gburner, go to properties menu and make sure only UDF is checked. Then save the .iso file. Now you will be able to open it in Microsoft official usb bootable tool. Tada, simple and aeasy.
Brad says
Can this be used in combination with the official windows 7 USB/DVD tool? So instead of having to prep the USB with cmd tools you just use the user friendly tool from microsoft?
grizz says
thanks very much for this guide it helped me out with a non booting laptop
will says
thanx i applied it n it worked to perfection.
neo_ega says
Thank u very much for this information, this is work properly in my test, Trims :)
abhi says
Hi all,
After reading through the entire post I still have the following doubts.
Firstly, does downloading the Windows 7 ISO and transferring it to the usb works for the windows 7 starter editions too??
Then, after creating this bootable usb, can i remove the recovery partition from my HD??
And finally, will the above mentioned USB(after its creation) be able to restore my system if i completely remove windows OS??
Thanks in advance.
Jeffrey says
This was unbelievably awesome. After spending way too much time trying to get UNetbootin to create bootable Windows ISOs, this took less about ten minutes. I guess Windows begets Windows.
Anna says
Hey PJ – you have to have Windows 7 in some format. However, if you don’t have access to a CD because Win7 isn’t working, you have easily download the ISO, format the USB drive (which you can do in XP, so that wasn’t a problem for you) and then move the files over to the USB. Once you have done that, you could restart the computer and use your shiny new bootable USB to fix your Win7. Just saying – the command prompt works no matter what kind of Windows you are using…. and since you have a dual boot system, obviously you know how to get around a computer enough you should be able to get to the command prompt without a search box. lol
PJ says
This article only helps if you actually CAN get into windows 7 already!? Step 1: “Type create system repair disc in Windows 7 Start menu search box and hit enter.” .. what?? FAIL. I CAN’T GET INTO WINDOWS 7! How can I access the windows 7 Start menu search box if I can’t get into windows 7??? Thankfully I have a dual boot system with xp so I can still use my pc to write this heart warming response to your unhelpful article. Nothing personal, but this didn’t help at all.
ahmed says
i did what was written but when i finshed and closed command prompt when i try to open my flash drive “please inset a disk into removable disk (F),, is there anyway to restore my flash drive back !?
pau16 says
when i boot it from a flash drive but i get stucked in a black screen with a blinking cursor at the top left of the screen. what will i do? please help
Scorpion says
I got this Recovery. But when I load it, The System recovery option is stuck. I cannot get to the next step. Please help.
Caerd says
This worked like a charm on a Windows 7 netbook where I trashed the MBR installing a Linux dual boot, but did not have a portable DVD to boot the netbook.
Henry says
I blindly followed these instructions and I am now waiting for my usb drive to format, I’ll point out that you can save yourself 5-20 mins(depending on usb size) by doing a quick format instead of a full format.
alfee says
is it okay if i format it to fat?
format fs=fat
hope to hear from you. cheers!
vicky says
I downloaded it, added it into my USB flash drive, but I do not really understand what I am supposed to do next. :/
Can someone help me out?
rota2903 says
thank you3X . everything works find now. this guide help me a lot.
Ian says
This really helped me out after I used GParted to repartition my hard drive, after which Windows wouldn’t start. If I’d have looked up what to do, I would have known what was coming, but I’ve never been one for instruction manuals. Anyway, thanks a lot!
dave says
although one disk can repair either version, the recovery environment won’t let you launch the installer for the other version. i would like to have one pen to be able to install either
admin says
@ Dave
You can any one version (x32 or x64) to repair both versions.
dave says
This looks bang on. However, is there an easy way to put both the 32-bit and 64-bit repair disks on the pen, and then choose between at boot?