The Ultimate Guide to Windows Recovery 2023

Windows Recovery can be described as the process of recovering or restoring Windows to its original or healthy state. In order to help users, Microsoft has created the Windows Recovery Environment. You could call it a menu that has every single feature and tool that you could use to ring your Windows OS back to normal. In this article, we shall explore each tool to highlight individual characteristics and utilities.

What is a Windows Recovery Environment?

Windows Recovery Environment is a minimal operating system created by Windows that allows the user to make repairs when the software is unable to boot up. It comes with a select set of Windows recovery options that the user can use as per the situation.

What are the tools used during the Windows recovery process?

Windows Recovery Tool	Utility
Startup Repair	fixes common problems that prevent Windows from starting.
System Restore	Restores Windows to a previous point in time.
Command Prompt	Used to repair Windows by running commands.
Reset this PC	Allows the user to restore Windows to factory settings.
System Image Recovery	Used to take a backup of your entire drive that can be used to restore your system at a later point in time.
Go Back To Previous Versions	Within The first 10 days of a Windows software upgrade, the user is allowed to revert back to the previous version.
Uninstall Windows Update	Allows the user to uninstall a problematic update.
Use A Professional Data Recovery Software	If all the above methods have been unsuccesfull, A data recovery software will be able to salvage any data that you may have lost.

Note: Before making use of the Windows Recovery Environment, there are a few safety measures that you could take-

1. Ensure that all the files and applications are closed.
2. Take a backup of your entire system in case of data loss.
3. Keep your laptop plugged into a charger at all times.

How to access Windows Recovery Environment?

1. When your system is off-

1. Shut down your computer.
2. Hold the Windows Key and the power button.

2. When you are on the Logon screen-

1. Press Windows and L to go to the login screen.
2. Click on the power button icon.
3. Hold SHIFT + Restart.

Tools included in the Windows recovery environment

1. Startup Repair

Startup repair is usually enough to rectify a huge spectrum of common problems. It can fix startup issues by ensuring that your system loads properly. When your system fails to boot, Windows will attempt to automatically initiate startup repair. However, if you wish to do it using the Windows recovery environment, you can do so by following the instructions below-

1. Choose the Troubleshoot option.



2. Select Advanced options.



3. Select the Startup Repair option.



4. Select Account and enter credentials.

2. System Restore

This feature allows the user to revert back to an earlier state of Windows from a previous point in time. Think of it as resuming a game from a checkpoint. System Restore is ideally used in scenarios that include a system crash to recover the most recent data (changes made to a file etc.).

1. Choose the Troubleshoot option.
2. Select Advanced options.
3. Select the System Restore option.



4. A System Restore Window shall open, read the text, and click on Next.
5. Select a restore point and click on Scan for affected programs. If you are unable to locate any store points, click on Show more restore points.
6. In the next window you will have 2 lists (after clicking Scan for affected programs)
   1. Programs and drivers that will be deleted
   2. Programs and drivers that might be restored
   Read the lists of programs displayed, then click Close.
7. Confirm the storage device that you would like to restore and click on Finish.
8. A warning pop-up will be displayed to inform you that the process cannot be interrupted. Click on Yes.

3. Command Prompt

Command prompt is a feature that allows the user to execute and interact with Windows using commands instead. In this case, you can use it to troubleshoot any problems that you may have with your Windows PC.

1. Choose the Troubleshoot option.
2. Select Advanced options.
3. Select the Command Prompt option.



4. You can use the following commands based on your requirements-

Command Name	Description	Command
SFC/Scannow	Scans disk to detect issues and fix them	sfc /scannow
DISM	Fixes Windows Image. Can be used after running the SFC command	DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth.
CHKDSK command	Scans the drive for file system errors and repairs	chkdsk /r

4. Reset this PC

The rest of this PC option shall restore the default factory setting of your Windows PC. This option usually comes in handy when users require a fresh start.

1. Choose the Troubleshoot option.
2. Select Reset This PC.



3. Select one of the following options-
   1. Keep my files - Removes apps and settings but keeps your personal files. (recommended to help clear clutter and improve performance.)
   2. Remove Everything- Removes all of your personal files, apps, and settings and is normally used in scenarios where you wish to permanently delete every trace of your personal information on the computer). (Recommended If you wish to recycle or sell your system.)
   You can also choose between resetting all or selecting specific drives on your system.

5. System Image Recovery

What is a system image?

Just as a photo captures every detail of a moment, a system image is a file that contains a copy of everything on a hard drive at the time of file creation.

Why is a system image important?

A system Image can also be used as a very reliable backup. In the event of an irreversible system crash or critical file system corruption, a system image can help restore your data, so the more recently updated a system image, the better.

Note: If you do not have a system image readily available, you can always use professional data recovery software such as Remo Recover. Easy to use, and effective on the job, Remo Recover has a high success rate in recovering deleted or lost files even after they have been emptied from the Recycle Bin.

How do I create a System Image?

1. In the Start menu, go to Settings, click on Update and Security, and select Backup.
2. Click on the Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7) option.



3. Open the Create a System Image window.



4. Select a location where you would want to save your System image. (Expect the file to be big and try to save it on an external storage drive.)
5. Select the drives that you would like to back up and click on Next.

How do I restore data using a system image?

1. Choose the Troubleshoot option.
2. Select Advanced options and choose System Image Recovery.



3. Select a System Image backup file and click on Next.
4. Follow the remaining instructions provided.

6. Go Back to Previous Versions

If you have recently upgraded your Windows Software to the next version you have the option to revert back to the original version within the first 10 days. This feature will allow users to correct issues faced due to a faulty update. However, this option has a few disadvantages attached.

Disadvantages

1. While your personal files will be saved, all the newly installed applications shall be erased.
2. You will lose this option if you perform a disk cleanup.
3. If you made use of an external storage device to initiate the upgrade, then the same external storage device will be required to revert to the original Windows version.

In order to go back to previous versions, please follow the instructions below-

Steps to Go Back to Previous Versions

1. Choose the Troubleshoot option.
2. Select Advanced options.
3. Select the Go back to the previous version option.
4. Select an account and enter credentials to continue.
5. Click on Go back to the previous version.

7. Uninstall Windows update

Some computers may face issues after a system update. In such cases, users have the option to roll back and uninstall the update. You can do so by following the steps below-

1. Open Settings, and go to Update and Security.



2. Click on Windows update, and then open View Update history.



3. Click on Uninstall updates.



4. Right-click on the latest update and click on Uninstall.

8. Use a Professional Data recovery Software

If your Windows System has crashed there is a good chance your file systems are corrupted. Data loss could be a major problem that you could experience with a corrupted file system. A really solid solution would be to make use of professional data recovery software such as Remo Recover.

Remo Recover is a User-friendly product that can recover lost data from corrupted Windows drives. You can recover your data today by downloading Remo Recover now!

How to Recover Windows using Remo Recover?

Preliminary Steps

1. If you are unable to Open Windows on your System, we suggest that you extract the physical storage drive of your PC and connect it to a healthy PC as an External storage device.
2. You would also need another healthy external storage drive with a storage capacity that is equal to or more than your corrupted one.
3. Connect both, the healthy and the corrupted drive to your Health computer/laptop and Download Remo Recover.

Note: During this process, please ensure that your healthy laptop is plugged in at all times.

Steps to Recover Windows using Remo Recover

1. Download, Install, and launch Remo Recover.
2. Select the Corrupted Volume and click on Scan to begin the Scanning Process.



3. After the Scanning process has been completed all the recovered data from the corrupted drive will be listed. You can select all and click on Recover.



4. Select the Healthy external drive as your destination path and click on OK.

Conclusion

We hope that this article was able to help you restore Windows on your system. If you are unfamiliar with technology we would strongly advise that you approach a professional service. To prevent such scenarios in the future make sure to keep your Windows software updated.