Create a Recovery Disc

How to Create a Vista Recovery Disc​

   Information

This will show you how to download or create a Recovery Disc for both the 32 bit and 64 bit Vista.

   Note

The Recovery Disc created here does not install Vista. It is also not like the OEM Vista recovery DVD that comes with most store bought computers created from the factory recovery partition. Instead it is used only to boot from to repair your already installed Vista. See the example below for the options available from the recovery disc when booted from.

   Tip

This can be useful if you only have a OEM Vista recovery DVD or partition and would like to have a dvd to boot from to repair your Vista instead of reinstalling it. Plus, the recovery disk files are small enough to fit on a CD if you do not want to or can use a DVD.

EXAMPLE: System Recovery Options screen
NOTE: Using the Recovery Disc you create below, you can boot to the System Recovery Options screen below.

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Here's How:

STEP ONE

Replace the recdisc.exe file

   Note

If you have SP1 or SP2 installed, then you will need to replace the recdisc.exe file installed by SP1/SP2 with a non-SP retail version below instead for the 32 bit or 64 bit version of Vista that you have installed.

   Note

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To see what 32-bit or 64-bit version of Vista you have, open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click the System icon, or right click Computer in the Start Menu and click Properties. You will see the bit version under the System type section.​

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If you ever run the sfc /scannow command, then it will restore the old original non-working copy of the recdisc.exe file, and you would have to do this STEP ONE section again to be able to create a Vista Recovery Disc.​

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1. If You Have 32 bit (x86) Vista Installed​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the recdisc_x86.zip file.​

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B) Go to step 3.​

2. If You Have 64 bit (x64) Vista Installed​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the recdisc_x64.zip file.​

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3. Save the ZIP file to your desktop.​

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4. Right click on the ZIP file (on desktop), and click on Open.​

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5. If prompted by UAC, then click on Allow.​

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6. Extract (drag and drop) the recdisc.exe file to the desktop.​

NOTE: You can delete the ZIP file (on desktop) when done if you like afterwards.​

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7. Right click on the extracted recdisc.exe file, click on Properties, General tab, the Unblock button, and on OK.​

NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the shortcut is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 8.​

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8. In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe. (See screenshot below)​

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9. Take ownership of and set permissions to Allow your user account Full Control of the recdisc.exe file at the location in step 8.​

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10. Right click on the extracted recdisc.exe file on the desktop from step 6, and click on Cut.​

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11. Go back to the C:\Windows\System32\recdisc.exe window and right click on a empty area and click on Paste. (See screenshot below step 13)​

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12. Click on Copy and Replace and Continue.​

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13. Right click on recdisc.exe, and click on Send To and Desktop (create shortcut).​

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14. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.​

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STEP TWO

Creating a Recovery Disc

15. Double click on the recdisc.exe shortcut on your desktop created from above to run the program.​

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16. Select your DVD drive, and click on create disc. (See screenshot below.​

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17. Insert your retail Vista installation DVD into the CD/DVD drive, and click on Continue. (See screenshot below)​

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18. You will now see this. (See screenshot below)​

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19. After a little bit, it will ask you to replace the Vista installation DVD with a blank CD or DVD.​

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A) Insert a blank CD or DVD into your CD/DVD drive and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

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20. When it is finished, click on Close for both windows. (See screenshots below)​

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21. Now you can boot from this Recovery Disc to go to the System Recovery Options screen in the example above.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista
• How to Do a Startup Repair in Vista
• How to Do a System Restore in Vista
• How to Restore the Complete Computer from a Complete Backup and Restore Image in Vista
• How to Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool in Vista
• List of Commands for Vista and How to Use Them
• How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD
• How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Thumb Drive to Install Vista
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Vista

 

[Brink]

Na, you will need to have the driver for the separate wireless card instead. It wouldn't be available through Gateway since it didn't come with the computer. Your daughter and hubby probably would have it laying around there somewhere though. If not, just post back with the brand and model number of the wireless card.

 

[WolfLegal]

Hi, I followed ALL of the steps to CORRECTLY change the recdisc.exe file, and doing so all worked fine; but, when I got to running it, though the window comes up fine, when I click on "Create Disk" I get the following error message:

0x80070002

Do you know what this is all about? (I read through every page of this thread to make sure this issue wasn't already addressed.)

Thank you very much for the availability of this forum, this assistance, and for whatever light you will probably be able to shed on this matter.

 

[Brink]

Hello WolfLegal, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You might see if doing OPTION ONE with the download instead may work better for you.

 

[dreemwarrior]

Greetings Shawn,
Thought I'd follow another tutorial and make another disc. But after I took ownership of the recdisc via cmd prompt, It still wouldnt allow me to remove/replace the file. You do not have permission. The original is still in the sys32 file. I have both the original and downloaded copy on desktop.Ihavent tried a second time for ownership yet. It said I had full ownership, but no dice.
I dont really need another recovery disc, I'm just curious as to why I cant move the file. Should I have maybe closed winexplorer and reopened fresh before trying?

OOOH, ok off subject real quick, I spotted a file that peaked my curiosity and sounds useful. lol Replace.exe A replace file utiliy?? I know, stay out of the system files,right?:D

 

[Brink]

Hello Joey,

Did you also "Allow" your user account "Full Control" (permissions) of the recdisc.exe file while taking ownership of it?

 

[dreemwarrior]

Hello Joey,

Did you also "Allow" your user account "Full Control" (permissions) of the recdisc.exe file while taking ownership of it?

lol OOPS I did not.
what a noob


Yeah that would be the problem all right. I can go to my full admin acct and no prob
Sheesh

 

[Brink]

LOL, no problem Joey. Just happy that you got it sorted.

 

[snickers]

Will this recovery disk download work if you have Vista with SP2?

 

[Brink]

Hello Snickers,

Yes, it will still work with the Vista SP2 since it is only for the "System Recovery Options".

 

[Salil999]

Hi... Umm, when you make this recovery disk, does it " recover " the OS on the computer you're burning it on? Or will it recover ANY computer? Please help...

 

[Brink]

Hello Salil,

The Recovery Disc is only used to boot to the "System Recovery Options" screen to be used to try and repair the current installation of Vista on your computer or on another computer. It will not install Vista, or restore Vista back to factory defaults like a "OEM Vista Recovery Disc".

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Ragscot]

I have only just joined on this cold and very heavy snow bound evening in Edinburgh, Scotland so Hi to all.

I've been using Vista since it came out and have a set of recovery discs supplied by my computer manufacturer but my daughter has a laptop without any recovery discs (using the same OS) so decided to look you up and get some info. on making one for her.

I followed the tutorial and downloaded the 32bit ISO burning it successfully (so I thought) using ISO recorder 3 that I have used before. The machine boots from the cd just fine, goes through the 'loading files' then onto the little Microsoft Corp loading bar. When that's completed the bluey/green screen comes up, with cursor, but NO utilities menu and nothing else on the screen. I have to switch off the computer to start the machine up normally.

Although I have been using computers since my ZX80 days and have some knowledge of them my brain does occasionally get clogged up - so what have I done wrong?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Brink]

Hello Ragscot, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In case you didn't know, the recovery disc you create in this tutorial does not install Vista, but only boots (well suppose to ) to the "System Recovery Options" screen to repair the current installed Vista.

You may have a bad or currupted download, or it didn't burn properly. You might start over to see if a new on may work better with a new download as well.


If you are wanting a recovery disc to be able to restore Vista on your daughter's computer instead, then there should be a "Recovery Manager" type program in the Start Menu to be able to create/burn a set of OEM recovery discs to do this with. One set would be the "Applications & Drivers Disc", and the other the "OEM Vista Factory Recovery Disc". What brand is her laptop? I might be able to find more detailed instructions at it's manufacturer's website on how to.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[Ragscot]

Hi Shawn,

Appreciate the reply. My daughter's laptop is an Acer and we did locate a recovery disc she made when the machine was first purchased. Even though I downloaded the Vista recovery file three times from different locations and using different burners it still failed to fully load on my own PC however I have my Vista OEM Package which works just fine.

Daughter had let her Virus Software elapse and paid the price, the laptop became infected. Fortunately she had backed up all files needed before infection so with a full recovery the machine appears to be working fine without all the error messages, countless pop-ups, and shutting down. So it's smiles all round. :D

I must look further through the subjects as I have an interesting tale about my horror experiences with the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) last year on my machine and the battle between me, the insurance company, and the workshop over whether or not it was a hardware or software problem.

Roger

 

[Brink]

Roger, I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out. Good luck the BSOD issue.

 

[Katz123]

I am sure this info is in here somewhere, :huh: but I am unable to find it. Can this Recovery Disk be burned
onto a USB thumb drive? And can I do this on my 32bit machine for my friends 64bit machine?

Thanks you guys in advance for your help.

Katz



PS I have been reading these forums for a couple of days now and I have Learned a Lot.
I just cant find the answers to my two questions above.

 

[Brink]

Hello Katz, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes you can burn it to a USB flash drive. I have added the Step Three section under OPTION ONE for how.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Katz123]

Thanks Brink,

Did you just add that today, or were my eyes that sore that I entirely missed it?
Also, I thought we were in Vista forums...you must be tired too. LOL

 

[Brink]

Oh not, it's not you. I just added that today for you.

 

[Katz123]

Thank you Brink. and my friend will thank you too once I have fixed his machine.

Katz