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On a working Windows 10 PC, open Recovery Drive from Start, keep Back up system files to the recovery drive selected, connect an empty USB drive, and choose Create. The process erases the USB drive, and the finished drive holds Windows system files, not your personal files. That last point matters more than the rest, so it is covered before the steps.
Before you start
- Use a USB drive you can erase. Microsoft’s instructions say: “Use an empty USB drive because this process will erase any data that’s already stored on the drive.” Move anything you want to keep to another location first.
- Back up your personal files separately. A Recovery Drive does not include your documents, photos, or other personal files. Microsoft points users to Windows Backup or File History as separate options, described on its Recovery options in Windows page.
- Create the drive while the PC still works. The tool runs from Windows, so it needs a functioning system to build the drive.
Create the recovery drive
- Open Start and search for Recovery Drive. You can also run
recoverydrive.exedirectly. - In the Recovery Drive utility, confirm that Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected, then choose Next.
- Connect the USB drive, select the correct drive in the utility, and choose Next.
- Check that the selected drive is the one you intend to erase, then choose Create.
- Wait for the copy to finish. Microsoft notes that copying the files can take a while.
The full Microsoft instructions are on the Recovery Drive support page. That page does not state a minimum USB capacity for a Recovery Drive, so check the drive’s available space against the Windows files it needs to hold rather than relying on a figure from a different Microsoft process.
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Use the recovery USB to restore a PC
Use this procedure when the PC will not start normally. Starting from the USB requires choosing the USB drive as the boot device, and the key or menu for that differs by manufacturer. Check the device manual if the menu is unfamiliar.
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- Connect the recovery USB and start the PC from it.
- When the Windows Recovery Environment loads, choose Recover from a drive.
- Select the removal option offered: Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive.
- Choose Recover to confirm.
Recovery removes personal files, apps, and settings. Decide before you begin whether the PC’s current data is still needed, because the recovery step is what removes it.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Lexar D40E 128GB Dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Jump Drive, Champagne Silver
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
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What is on the drive and how current it stays
- Microsoft says the Recovery Drive contains built-in Windows files, updates that were installed at the time the drive was created, and manufacturer customizations.
- Because the drive reflects the PC’s state at creation, Microsoft recommends recreating it annually.
- Your personal files are not part of the drive at any point (see the backup section above).
Recovery drive or Windows installation media
These are two different USB tools. A Recovery Drive restores a specific PC. Installation media is used to install or reinstall Windows and is created with Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
| Item | Recovery Drive | Windows installation media |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Recover the PC from a drive prepared on a working PC | Install or reinstall Windows |
| How it is created | Recovery Drive utility (Start search or recoverydrive.exe) |
Media Creation Tool, per Create installation media for Windows |
| Stated USB capacity | Not stated in Microsoft’s Recovery Drive instructions | Blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB, per Microsoft’s installation-media instructions |
If the goal is a restore on the same PC, the Recovery Drive is the tool to create. Installation media is the right choice for a clean install on a PC that may not match the drive’s contents.
Rank #2
SANDISK 128GB Ultra Flair, USB-A Flash Drive, Up to 150MB/s Read Speeds | USB Flash Drive, Up to 15x Faster than standard 2.0, Password Protection, Durable, Sleek Metal Casing, USB 3.0, Silver/Black
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
Windows 10 support status
Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. The PC continues to run, but Microsoft no longer provides free software updates through Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. A recovery USB helps you restore the system; it does not restore security updates or support. See Microsoft’s Recovery options in Windows page for the current recovery choices.
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Bestseller No. 3
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Best Value
IMEASON Swivel Design 16GB USB Flash Drive with Keychain, USB 2.0 Portable Thumb Drive Memory Stick, FAT32 Format Flashdrive for Data Storage, Photos, Music, Files (Black, 16 GB)
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
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- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
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SIMMAX 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives Swivel Thumb Drive Pen Drive (32GB Purple)
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
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- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
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2 Pack 64GB USB Flash Drive USB 2.0 Thumb Drives Jump Drive Fold Storage Memory Stick Swivel Design - Black
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
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