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]

You're most welcome Katz.

 

[patch41]

hi brink, downloaded the dvd disc, then found out it was for sp1 and i needed dvd for sp2, also i am enclosing instructions that microsoft support sent, i dont know if i am reading your instructions wrong to repair corrupted files but, but there instructions seems much simpler, what do you think, and can you advise where to download vista dvd repair with sp2, thanks patch41.

 

[Brink]

Hello Patch,

For corrupted system files you might see if running a SFC /SCANNOW command may be able to fix it.

If not, and you have a retail Vista installation disc that is tha same (sp2) as what you have installed, then you could do a repair install instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[patch41]

hi brink thanks for the reply,yes i have ran sfc/scannow several times,and the message says corrupt files could not repair them,i did go to the site that you suggested, and downloaded and burned to iso, but then found out i needed sp2 and i dont think that site that you suggested gives that option, do you know of any other sites that i can download from,microsoft did say they would send one to me free of charge, but it would be much easier to download one, also what do you think of there instructions to repair the files thanks for your help, patch41

 

[Brink]

There steps is the same as the ones in the Repair install link above, but without all the details.


If you have a retail Vista installation disc, you might also see if you can extract a copy of the corrupted files that you need to replace them with as well.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/261616-extract-files-vista-installation-dvd.html


I'm not sure where you can get a SP2 version though.

 

[patch41]

hi shawn, i think i will have microsoft send me the disc, they said they would send it no charge,i did not recieve a cd when i purched the pc, vista premium was already factory installed,and its just one update that it wont let me install,i did search other forums and one post said he had the same error 80073712 problem and he had talked to a microsoft rep and he told to right click the update in widows update and hide it that it will not effect previous or future updates and it will stop the annoying update warning's, i would like to say a big thank you to you guy's for the time and effort you put in, i dont know what a newbie like me would do without you,patch41

 

[SIW2]

You got Vista pre installed on your machine and MS will send you an installation disc free of charge?

You are lucky.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Patch. Please let us know how it turns out for you, and if you have any other questions.

 

[keyboard]

To the team of this forum.Keep up the good work.Thanks a lot for such wonderful tutorials.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Keyboard, and thank you. Welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[patch41]

hi brink, finally got the disc,from microsoft, they even sent two one for 64-bit sp2 and one for 32-bit sp2, free of charge, i followed there instructions which where very simple,and i no longer have corrupt files,computer is like new, just thought i would keep you informed,thanks for all your help,patch41

 

[Brink]

That's great news Patch. Thank you for posting back with your results.

 

[allrounder2011]

I was not able to make it..
though i downloaded and tried copy and paste new recdisc.exe..
but "you need the permission" but and became unsuccessful.

though i am using my laptop as administrator...

 

[patch41]

Hi Allrounder, follow brinks tutorial, How to create a recovery disc, but you will need to download a torrent program, Just click on,
utorrent.com
and download it, then you will need a program to burn the iso disc, poweriso.com will give you a trial period free,
poweriso.com
then just follow brinks tutorial, be sure to download the 64bit for your PC, good luck, Patch41

 

[Brink]

Hello Allrounder2011,

In the Step One section in OPTION TWO, did you do step 8 to "Take Ownership" and set permissions to "Allow" your user account "Full Control" of the resdisc.exe file first?

 

[allrounder2011]

@patch41..
the both link you posted above leads to vista forum...http://www.vistax64.com/..
pliz help

 

[allrounder2011]

cmd and takeown/f and hit Enter ..
Invalid syntex..how can i resolve this issue ..i need to open windows with taking ownership to make recovery disc...
i could not take ownership.

 

[patch41]

Hi Allrounder, sorry about that here they are again,
http://utorrent.com
PowerISO - Create, Edit, Compress, Encrypt, Split, Mount, Extract ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive
patch41

 

[americancritic]

Hello brink thank you for the awesome tutorial I wish would have has this when I first got my computer, it would have saved my bacon so to speak many times.

Nice (Very) nice.


americancritic
Tom

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Tom. Thank you.