Factory recovery discs can be VERY useful, but just make sure that the one your create isn't "Locked" to that manufacturers PC. Some will throw up an error message if you try and use them to reimage the hard drive in the PC if you've upgraded away from the original specs. So if you've replaced your graphics card, added more memory, and fitted a bigger hard drive since making the recovery disc, the software may think you're trying to illegally use the disk to put windows on multiple PC's. I worked as a hardware tech for many years, and the biggest lesson I learnt from dealing with customers was that 99% of them honestly believed that hardware failure won't happen to them. I've seen multiple customers get angry because 6+ months of their college or university work has ceased to exist, or info they used to make money was lost due to hard drive failure. You get numb to their situations after a while. You just think "Well, they were an idiot for not safeguarding such important data", and just use the memory of how stressed out they'd become to reinforce your commitment to making sure YOUR OWN data backup strategy is sound........ But every once and a while a story would still cut through. Like the little old couple who's only photos of their sadly deceased daughter and granddaughter (Car accident) were stored on the hard drive that you've unknowingly just told them was "completely děâd". So the message everyone should take home from this is that...... (1) Hard drives DO unexpectedly stop working. (2) Any data on a broken drive is as good as gone. (3) If the loss of your data will cause you to also lose money, sleep, or hair...... BACK IT UP ! IT support doesn't care that your music collection/your screen play/the last 7 years of your doctorate research notes are ONLY stored on the broken hard drive, because we know that in all likelihood, they're NOT there any more. Personally, I keep full backups of everything........ To the extent of having all the PC's in the house do incremental weekly backups to the large data storage hard drive in my main PC. That drives paired with an equally large USB hard drive, and uses a sort of software raid to mirror the main storage drive to this USB backup in real time. If there was a fire at home, after I'd made sure my dogs were safe, THAT's the next thing I'd grab. Every few weeks I'll also back up that storage drive to another USB hard drive that lives in a fireproof/waterproof cash box...... This may sound paranoid, but I've got personal data that would result in me losing money, sleep, AND hair if it became lost, and i can ill afford to lose more of any of these things. :D All this wasn't hard to setup, and for a minimum of weekly "Techie housekeeping" it means that if any of my PC's irretrievably break, I can have another one in it's place and all setup within a couple of hours.
After having had a lucky escape with what i THOUGHT was hard drive failiure (but it turned out to be a really weird power issue, which kept the PC from booting (from ANY device), and it wasn't even a PSU fault, the faulty component was not even in the PC case or connected to any data ports on the PC), I now make sure to keep at least 3 copies of my data (at present i have one copy on an internal SSD (seperate from the OS drive), one copy on a NAS with RAID 1 (2 HDDs), and one copy on an external HDD)
Generally the best way to go is a clean install of Windows from Microsoft, then add drivers from the manufacturer manually. OEMs add a lot of junk software, and if you're really lucky, Lenovo installs adware that performs a man-in-the-middle attack against your https traffic that left open even more vulnerabilities when the adware's security key was compromised. One of Dell's software updates decided to run 100% cpu on a cpu core of my sister's laptop. It caused heat, fans running loud, and short battery life.
Great information and advice. It's been a few years, but I had created a Recovery USB for an HP laptop computer and it made my computer life so much simpler when its HDD failed and I replaced it and got the laptop back to operating in short order.
@@AskYourComputerGuy Indeed. I had never had a Recovery Disk before, but paid attention to the Pop-Up and created one and was so glad I did. And you are sharing a plethora of useful and valuable information. Excellent channel.
This is absolute excellent advice! DVDs and CDs are going obsolete. With Windows you can make a recovery USB Key. I make system image backups on to external hard drives. I keep this image updated. With the recovery USB Key it has the software to allow for the default installation. With the USB Key to recover the default you would have to locate and install the drivers yourself from the manufacture. Best to keep full images on external drives. You can make a recovery maintenance USB Key with software on it to restore the backup image from an external backup drive. I make system backups on 3 separate external drives in case one backup drive may fail. It's happened to me. I have had a main drive failure where I had to use the system backup image. Within an hour the computer is running from the most recently created backup system image.
Good observation. Although those not needing commercial applications might be better-served running Ubuntu or Debian. I no longer give free "windows" support, as the system is usually a disaster by the time I get it. I don't even know if "ask toolbar" is still an intrusion.
Wow! Almost think this video was made for me! Lol i know your assistance on helping me recover my screw up on my Toshiba satellite laptop was very helpful not only threw Your channel but threw your messages. Not only now laptop is running perfectly and backed up and recover disk made!! Thank you for your help and your advice and knowledge! I'm subscribed and i hit the reminder bell!!
I backed up my husbands Windows 7 to Windows 10 and except for the drivers and bluetooth I finally got it to work without all that xtra junk they had on it. I had to download online for the appropriate ones but I like it better than before. Sadly Windows 10 no longer offer it for my old laptop.
@lindahill1199 i had the same problem but i did a crazy move, and it worked! I upgrade to the Windows Pro enterprise Evaluation feature the Experience pack and copy all the good packages and drivers. Then reset computer back to my original Windows Pro and dumped all the trash, and uploaded the Enterprise packages cause all the drivers were there on a Pro level. But this wasn't a fast doing! Specialty for a none computer smart person!! But i did it. As resetting just windows Pro i lost certain drivers and plus this old Toshiba laptop i had to get downloads for different components. But People like this RUclips channel helped me in a major way! Learning and Experiencing.
My thoughts are all over the place when it comes to the subject of backing up data. I 100% agree with the channel owner about making the recovery media when you buy OEM equipment, in fact, it is one of the first things you should do. As I stated in an earlier comment Microsoft has done a generally good job of making Windows 8, 10, and 11 plug-and-play ready for things like Wi-Fi and mouse dongles for laptops. The problem is Microsoft can't install the VITAL chipset drivers. Remember the Wi-Fi cards go right into the PCIe, I have lost count of the times I have fixed problems because the person installed an OEM version of Windows and failed to install the chipset drivers. In all honesty, if you don't understand what a chipset is, or fail to understand the PCIe system, EVEN if you know how to install an OS, you should either have a professional like this channel owner install it, or stick with the installation you bought the computer with. This is not me attempting to insult anybody, just simple facts!
Also important to know which *order* to install drivers manually (chipset, then NIC, etc), which is why a recovery disk is so useful for those that don't have advanced knowledge 💪👍
It depends on the machine and the manufacturer. For Dells, I believe it is a) chipset b) NIC/LAN c) card reader d) display e) audio, then everything else. It's been a while, but that's a good common practice for driver order in my experience 👍
I own a Dell Latitude 3540 (legacy) Laptop. It came with Windows 8. I refurbished it. I installed OEM Windows as well as using Linux on it. There are actually 2 VERY critical drivers that should be installed first on this laptop. In fact, if these drivers are not installed any attempt to install the card reader driver will fail.
@@isaackvasager9957 TRUE!!!! Microsoft will do its best to get a PC up and running and has been since they released Windows 8. This is great because before this you sometimes had to have network drivers available to get on the internet so you could go to update. The drawback is the chipset drivers, I have never seen any situation where Microsoft has installed "copyrighted" chipset software from either Intel or AMD. Then you have the situation that an OEM company like Dell or HP has a driver that works better. I have some hardware on my built desktop PC that I am not at liberty to discuss, it is required for my business. Until I install the driver software it won't work correctly. I still want to repeat what ACG has stated in the video as well as these comments. The BEST way to handle these installation issues for an OEM system is to make the recovery media FIRST!
Great video! Whenever I get a new computer, I purchase an equivalent HD or SSD of the original and then dupe it. I then use the duped version so that I always have the original ready to go if necessary.
I did that, with an external HDD caddy. Worked great for 7 or 8 years, before I finally, reluctantly, decided to go to Win10 when my beloved Winny (Win7) machine died, again.
why don't they just make an iso file downloadable on their website? cuz what if i lose the restore media and the computer doesn't boot, now i have no way to restore the original drivers or programs and have to find it one by one online assuming the drivers even exist online somewhere. this will also free up disk space unnecessarily taken up by the restore partition.
Great stuff Computer Guy, I have build over 10+ computers and yes he is right. Recovery disc is good to have especially when your computer becomes out of date. Max drive new one on me I will have to try this, I have see these before in the paid versions of CC cleaner which also does a good job. However, will not let you down load and update driver without paying. Also, don't think it will let you save a copy of your drivers for later use as well paid or not will check into it.
I use DriverMax for that, have for years. Think I paid $40 or so for a lifetime license and it has paid for itself many times over. Will be making a video about it soon 👍
Manufacturers used to include the discs with the purchase. Now, they include malware in the machine and expect us to make the USB or DVD. I agree with another listener that stated Linux is the better choice of an operating system.
The computer will connect to any internet with basic settings new or old ,also you could use any program like easy driver finder ,or driver pro to get drivers or better still just update from Microsoft update that's easy.
Thank you @AskYourComputerGuy now what is the difference between this and the instructions you provided in creating a bootable Media Creation USB drive using the MediaCreationTool? Is the purpose the same? I now have the USB drive with the instructions you provided and feel if I ever encounter an issue with Windows, it will come in handy. I have Windows 10 PRO and I am a sight impaired computer user who uses assistive technology to help me use the computer. I appreciate your videos/ work. Have a good one!
Great question! This is referring to the Windows recovery media creator that comes with (SOME) OEM computers. The other video refers to a generic Windows installer disc that you can use to install Windows. Doesn't load any specific drivers until after Windows updates. The factory recovery media installs everything exactly as it was when it was brand new. Hope that helps :)
What a great, practical channel; clarity of teaching superb! Just finished this vid, never knew about partitioning the C drive and moving personal data to the new partition to protect that info from OS issues. Thanx! Here's my question: what about moving the Program Files and Program Files (x86) and Program Data folders? What about other software specific stuff? Thanx in advance.
You can install programs to another partition, but because those settings are stored in the registry, if you have to reinstall Windows, you'll have to reinstall those programs...unless you keep registry backups and then import them over after the Windows install. That might work
Your The BEST Scotty!!! I Def gotta do this ta that HP envy 17T CG000 .... I want to get it tip top for when i gotta go back into the Hospital.. Thank You Buddy!!!
I have a brand new laptop I want to make a recovery flash for and was going to ask you if you thought I should just go ahead and update my 2 others, barely used, to Windows 10 to 11 while they still offer it. Read through all your comments here I found you like Windows 10 better so I guess I will stay with the 10 and not the 11. Just a thumbs up is all I need for your suggestion, sir. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Just found you today and I Subscribed to All. Thank you, sir for all you do.
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thank you for answering me, Computer guy. Now that I've been playing on the 11 version, I see I have an S version on it. I can't download Chrome or any other newbie without completely changing the modification of that Windows. I've never heard of that before but I don't like the start up page where you can't go to the windows bottom left and open your other places. I like Chrome, Rumble, RUclips, Windows Media for playing CD's. Basically I hate change.
Backup old driverstore directory from previous windows install, in windows/system32 before you start reinstall. It has all necessary installation drivers for when drivers are missing after fresh install. Tell device manager to look in your backup driverstore directory for the drivers it needs.
Great help👍 Will the recovery software provided by the manufacturer have the ability to back up everything, including applications such as MS Office activation keys, data...etc ? Is there any recovery for android tablets (samsung s9 ultra)?
Negative. The recovery software from your manufacturer will ONLY reinstall Windows as it was when you bought it. Can't speak to Android tablets, as that's not my specialty
Great videos. A tip from a videographer: frame yourself so you fill most of the frame (vertically), ie don't position your head in the middle. Those in the know, know. And now you know. 😎
Years ago, yes. Then Avast acquired them and their was a big stink about that. I only use CCleaner for temp file cleanup, not sure I'd use it for anything besides that. Jury's still out.
How about adding a NAS configured with a RAID system to automatically mirror your entire C drive, and also function as a personal cloud, like if you don't completely trust some company renting cloud storage that might get hacked?
Good advice. I just installed windows 10 on a PC I assembled/ built. Will look for the recovery disk creation, but its not popping up. My old Windows 7 PCs run great on 10 year old SSDs! But, Uh oh, need to create a recovery disk for those too.
6:53 Microsoft not hosting a specific operating system release / version isnt really a concern. You can look up official sha-256 hashes of major windows releases and verify that the iso hasnt been altered. :/
Technically, you are correct. But I'm talking to the people that don't know a hash from a hash brown. Those people I'm trying to keep from spending money to pay someone who does 💪
I Didn’t do this 6 yrs ago. Doing it now. 3dvds. HP will allow only one copy. I’ve just cloned the hard drive. Is this a redundancy or is it an additional safeguard?
Agreed, though being virtual you have snapshots to just roll them back rather than rely on deleting and re-copying the files back. I test stuff and restore multiple of them every day.
@@AskYourComputerGuyyou are right. In my case I take the extra step because sometimes the snapshots for vms get bugged out. That's why I keep a double back up because of what I do. My real worry is the future for windows they appear to want to make it subscription based which comes with many issues.
Here after watching ventoy video. Question. I ran HP recovery tool for my laptop and it created an image. It's roughly 14ish gigs. I wanted to copy that image to the ventoy drive that has my windows 11 and 10 fresh install ISOs. But when I put the hp disk I created into my computer, I was expecting to see an iso file, but instead it just shows the 14ish gb used and 1ish gb free with no files. It's a 16gb usb drive. How do I add this to my ventoy drive?
I personally would rather have an exact same clone of my drive sitting ready to go if anything should go wrong and it will, and I never install any programs on my C drive unless you don't get the option to choose another install folder so that way you only need to copy your shortcuts ( which I have a folder with them all saved in on my Installs drive) back on to your desktop and you are up and running again.
Thank you once again. This is extremely helpful. 👍👍👍 Just one question to be absolutely sure. When you refer throughout the video to “recovery disk” do you mean, for most people/instances, “recovery USB stick”? I know in the past DVDs were the typical storage medium but they’re about as fashionable now as flared trousers. 😁
LOL the "recovery disk" whether DVD or flash drive, means the fresh operating system (with no users created). Basically "just like it what was the second your brought it home and fired it up". Does that help?
@@AskYourComputerGuy So do you suggest using a pen drive? (What do you use?) How large a volume on the pen drive, in the typical case? Does the pen drive become a "disk" like an ISO, or can I add files to it with the recovery on it?
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks. Having never had to use a recovery stick before I assumed it would contain some kind of ISO image and was therefore surprised at how small the 8GB stick was that I ordered with the laptop at purchase 4 years ago. I suspected what you said in the video but had never before seen it so explicitly described, FINALLY! 😁 While still not properly knowing how it was intended to work I did make my own recovery stick about a year ago as a further backup, a belt & braces fail safe as it were. I bought a 64GB stick but I had to format it to 32GB for some stated reason during the process which I have now forgotten. Another reason for doing this was that the laptop came with Windows 10, but Bill Gates’s special forces operative bots updated it to Windows 11 after I repeatedly declined their kind offer, so I thought I had better mirror that fact in my new recovery stick just in case. Anyway, you’ve been a great help. I don’t like to move on these things unless I know exactly what I’m doing. And THAT is why I’m subscribed to your channel! Many thanks. 😁👍👍👍
This is nothing new. I had an Acer laptop back in 2006 that came with xp media center. It had a recovery disk creation tool and partition. After windows 7 I ditched windows all together for linux and never looked back.
I've watched a few of your videos lately because I just purchased a HP Pavillion desktop computer that runs Windows 11. Before I installed the computer just yesterday (April 29, 2024), I transferred most of my files and photos from my 6 year old HP Pavillion Windows 10 computer to two USB flash drives. As of yesterday, after I setup new computer, I inserted flash drive in new computer that has 4 USB ports in front and 4 USB ports in back of computer. The back ports have my keyboard, Microsoft mouse, HP printer/scanner and new Creative stereo speakers, so all used. As mentioned, I inserted flash drive in front USB ports and flash drive was not recognized and I tried all 4 ports and nothing. I even rebooted the computer a few times and didn't work. On control panel, I see C-DRIVE and DVD drive, but no USB drive? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Don from Milwaukee wi
If you are sure the flash drives are goof, then it can only be one of two things: all usb ports are somehow disabled or broken or Windows is damaged. Check device manager for any disabled devices, that could help sort it out
This is great for the first year or so, but after that I prefer to rely on a full backup program like Macrium Reflect because of so many changes made to my computer since aquiring it, such as moving from Windows 10 to 11.
Good question - at least get a Windows installer disc for emergencies: [2024 MEGA update!] 2 USB boot drives EVERY Windows user should make before it's too late! ruclips.net/video/pi3haU6h1es/видео.html
Most people never run the recovery media tool, because "it's just yet another pop up" preventing them from getting to work. Unfortunately it'll pop up only the one time at the initial setup of the PC, and then it's just hidden either in the startmenu or in some obscure OEM software that will never get run again because people don't know what it is. It used to be that I just kept a USB drive with portableapps on it, like Speccy, to identify the hardware and just manually download the drivers to an external drive before wiping and reinstalling with an official Windows installer. I've simply not had the need to do this in probably 10-12 years because 99% of the time windows update will just install the driver. usually when it failed it was some weird generic wifi device, or a softmodem.
If you have an OEM system, find the recovery creation tools on your start menu as instructed. The software will guide you through the process. It's different for every vendor but the concept is always the same 👍
I bought a new laptop 5 months ago and it has windows11 on it. It does not have a disk reader on it. How do i go about backing my stuff up just in case ???
Absolutely, as long as it is large enough to hold your data. And no, you can use any drive, even with data on it, even an external hard drive if you wish :)
@@AskYourComputerGuyif the external drive has data, how does it upload to the same computer, after it crashed? I know that a new windows install drive does that automatically when inserted into the usb. But will it automatically upload from an external drive with other data? Not sure how to restore from an external drive
@trevino37 it doesn't copy anything back automatically. You have to drag and copy your individual folders to the "new" instalation. Just the reverse of when you copied them to your portable. Make sense?
@@AskYourComputerGuy sorry not sure how to drag the folder to the new installation when the laptop itself is not working and with a black screen. I would gladly see any video on this process, if you have a video on it. If not, a video showing the process of reinstalling the backup onto a laptop that totally crash with nothing more but a black screen. Or maybe a video on “when to reinstale a backup vs reinstalling. Windows from scratch due to black screen” , assuming all attempt have failed in accessing any files .
The recovery disk creates the factory image your PC came with. Creating a another disc will create the exact same image. You'll have to download updates if you ever use it
Hm.. I had to reinstall my PC recently and didn't have such recovery disc. But the PC was still functional so I could download the latest Windows iso and create one. Even better: we did the reinstallation via the manufacturer's recovery tool, via HP. The original PC came with a lot of bloatware, which this new reinstallation version didn't seem to have all. Just a few. I didn't write it all down but it seemed to have less stuff to uninstall afterwards. Windows was OK on the 32GB usb, but the HP needed a 64GB one. Also created new from the HP website. I guess it is better like this as the new downloaded ones contain some updates already. So if there is another functioning machine available, doing the reinstalation with most recent software seems to be a better option.
Hey my computer got a blue screen then moved to a black screen but when I push the power button it lights up the bar just to say it’s. Microsoft dell how do you fix a black screen that won’t turn on even pushing the power button how do you do it
Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds or until you hear everything shut off. Power it back on, see what happens. You might be just putting it into sleep mode by pressing the power button once for a second or two
Hi, many of you videos have helped me get out of some tight spots. I was thinking of donating one of my old iPhone to a third world contry; my problem is the phone is locked and the code does not work. This began around the time that the code was 4 digits and my new phone had 6 digits. I went to apple and they told me they couldnot help. Have you any idia of how I can unlock this phone? Thanks so very much.
Only option you might have is to connect it your PC, open iTunes and you should be able to connect to the phone and at least wipe it. Sorry, telco isn't my specialty 🥲
I have a custom-built PC and had to use one that the company, "Puget system," provided. I did everything for me including the username. Is it possible to make one that also installs any programs you've added?
Unfortunately not with custom/non-OEM systems. Your best bet would be to clone the drive. That's the only way to truly guarantee you get everything. Here's how: How to clone a hard drive - EASY step by step walk-thru! ruclips.net/video/-89EcTjzl4M/видео.html
Hello, got a problem on my asus AMD RYZE 7 6800 it keeps unplugging and plugging itself everytime i turn on labtop after being off for awhile.. it just gives me an overlay of being plugged in and out , lags my whole comp screen starts to fligger it sucks looked everwhere online but cant find any info on this problem any help or idea whats wrong with it would be highly appreciated!
Meaning it keeps indicating charging/not charging? If so, could be th DC jack: Laptop charging problem? EASY DIY $11.26 fix! ruclips.net/video/GkdChwvzKXs/видео.html
i need help about windows 10 and 11 drivers update , i have and old dell laptop (dell inspiron N11510) "i like all Dell laptops by the way old or new 😅😅" when i put any windows of them all drivers gets updated and installed by windows update easily and if go into the (device manger) and tried to update any of them its all good and no need for those driver to get updated and Microsoft downloaded the good drivers for this laptop , but when i use any (third party) app its says there are more new updates and needed to be downloaded . the question is : 1- do i download those updates or not on this type of old laptop or not ? 2- if yes which is the best third party app do you advice to use to download them so i don't get any malwares or viruses ? sorry for talking so much 😅😅
Great questions! As a general rule, I don't update hardware drivers as long as everything is working correctly. You rarely see security issues because of outdated drivers. Possible, but unlikely. Secondly, as shown in the video, I trust DriverMax. It has always found drivers that I couldn't locate and have always been safe to download. The link is in the description, it would help support the channel if you use the affiliate link. Hope this helps! 💪
i did see the link and like it too i swear @@AskYourComputerGuy 😅 the point is when i used driver max and it was great by the way , it showed me that i have drivers in the old laptop that needs up date while the device manger it self says the opposite😅 so i didn't want to blow up the laptop by accident 😂 so i wanted to make sure from you , really really thank you so much for all the help and advice 🥰
I made a recovery USB for my 2017 Dell using their Dell OS Recovery Tool. However, they don't provide that option for my Inspiron 660 (2013 Vintage) The Support page for the Inspiron 660 does not have it listed under Additional Resources. It shipped with Windows 7 which I upgraded to Windows 10. Is there anything a senior lady with only basic computer skills can do?
If it isn't available through your installed programs, you basically have four options. One, you might be able to find the recovery software on a torrent site, download and burn it to CD. That requires a bit of skill of course. You could contact Dell and they might have them still in inventory somewhere and would mail you one (usually for around $30-40). Third, you could try to find one on eBay (you never know!). Lastly, you could create a clone of your existing drive. Made a recent video on how to do that step by step 👍
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I do have a CD drive on the machine. I have some writable disks. I will watch your video and see if it's a possibility for me to clone the drive. Not holding out much hope because of my skill level. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. @@AskYourComputerGuy
I'm not clear on whether this is just the same as say the Windows 10 Media Creation USB I made too? If the pc crashes and it's the SSD, then I'd need a new one and re-install Windows to that surely? What does this have that's different? Is it like a version that has a "snapshot" of my whole PC with drivers (say ANT+, Bluetooth etc) so more like a recovery date you go back to when a new program messes things up, but on a USB? Do I need to keep updating it?
No you don't need to update it. The difference is that one (the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft) gives you a generic version of Windows. No brand or model specific drivers. Windows updates, as stated in the video, can't always find the drivers you need, which can be an issue. Specifically for wifi drivers. A factory recovery disk is the preloaded Windows version that you got when brand new. Drivers included. At the end of the day, both will likely work the same, but why take a chance when you know that ONE of the two will absolutely work 💪
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks for the reply- so could I then free up the USB on the Media Creation Tool? I made up a Hirens Boot CD one and a MCT one before, following your advice!
Better to use the 2nd disc as a Ventoy drive. Here's how and why: The LAST flash drive you will ever need! Ventoy FULL walk-thru and review! ruclips.net/video/MIT3w-EPA9M/видео.html
Depends on the OEM. Most modern machines in the last 10 years or so give you the option for either. You just need to run the recovery creation software and see if that's an option for you
Or you can do what the pros do. get a cheap 50gig SSD and make a clean install of windows on it. next download all your drivers needed on that installation. After installing you drivers get a hard drive cloning software many are free and no bull attached with it. after all this work witch will take some time will save you time later on as you will have a fresh install with all drivers needed for that time and you will have it forever. all you need to do wen you need a new install is switch boot device in your bios or UEFI bios then boot up the fresh install and then format your old hard drive or SSD. finally clone your fresh install onto your SSD or hard drive witch is usually way faster then windows installer and there you go a freash new install with all the drivers you need with no bloatware. you will still have to update drivers and update windows but going this rout will save you time and hassle. recovery media is alright but limited in many ways such as speed for windows to install and so forth.
You can watch this video that will show you how to download the Windows ISO files you need. Hope this helps! 2 USB boot drives EVERY PC user should make before it's too late! ruclips.net/video/uCkOVDHfFJM/видео.html
PLZ HELP!! Windows 11. This question Is not so much related to the video. But I've asked other places with no response. I'm trying to factory reset or reboot I'm not sure which one. So to able to get to the screen before "OOBE" where I can pick my "language region currency" and Also the page that asks if this computer is for "Home or Work/School" PLZ 🙏 HELP !! Do I need to return the computer? It's new I just didn't click the correct things during the very original setup. 😕 PLZ HELP!! Factory reset will get me to where I can pick language but it's not the correct original screen. Trying to get to "English world" and the screen where it asks if this computer is for "Home or Work/School" screen 🤔 PLZ HELP! Thx
@@AskYourComputerGuy I did factory reset yes I can get to language and region. Both extremely Limited language for example you have the choice to pick from about 10 different languages same with the region zero way to be able to pick if this for home or school. Absolutely no way to be able to pick English world you can pick English you can even pick English UK I ended up returning it because I had factory reset it like 6 times in a bunch of different ways and wasn't not able to get it Back to far enough to get to the original screen where I can pick from all of the languages and all of the regions. Have you had anybody else asked you this question? I asked a few other tech people they said the same thing and or they said oh on Windows 11 they must have changed it because I tried to do this with mine and wasn't able to get back to the original screen that you're talking about. But I know 100% they didn't because just a few hours before I had watched the RUclips video I set it up and did get that screen with the hundreds of languages/regions to pick from. Instead of the water down 10 options or so list of each. Odd to me. Unless the only way to do that is to actually wipe it and reboot it from a flash drive. My assumption would be if you downloaded operating system from internet it would automatically put you in the region and language that ur in or still give you the water down screen.
@@AskYourComputerGuy thank you for all you do and all your guidance appreciate it. I think a video on this specific thing would be very helpful to us novice. To make it specifically clear on how to do it or if you can or can't do it without a flash drive and what are the differences between downloading it off the internet and doing it with a flash drive so people can actually see the screen because I've seen lots of people running into the same issue not just me when I've been looking for the answer nobody seems to know the actual answer to this. Or I haven't seen any side by side comparisons and I looked I really looked everywhere Google RUclips Brave Reddit Wikipedia on and on and on it's not clear to anybody from the answers I've seen. And yes I know that you did do a video on it but not with a side-by-side comparison and nobody's talking about the water down 10 or so language region screen. & No real info on Windows 11 also to be able to change the computer setting from use as home or use as work in school. Thx Computer Guy.
Unfortunately, no. Every OEM has a different process and a different recovery disk tool. However, as shown in the video, if you can search your search bar for the recovery program, they are usually very easy to follow, step-by-step instructions 👍
I just has a ssd fail on me and i had a usb with windows to go on to and another with a boot drive after going through the windows install prompts and loading i realized i was runing windows off the usb only it did not install on the hardrive i had to go buy a whole new one and also bought a back up drive please do this before its to late i couldnt recover any of my data luckily i had it all backed up to clouds or usb drives now i have my c drive and my d drive on my oc plus another ssd i am storing with a copy of my pc already installed also my hardrive went out out of the blue i was running my pc perfectly fine then next thing i froze completely couldnt even task manager out of the game i was on i was forced to turn the pc off via the swich in the back when i turned it back on my oc couldnt find any boot image at all even after trying to change boot order also the bios registered the hard drive but when i booted with windows to go it would not show up in the explorer or anywhere else i looked for it. Please do this make a windows repair usb and i would recogment windows to go also
As stated in the video, if you don't get a popup reminder, search the start menu for your specific brand (Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc). If you have an OEM machine, it'll be under there 👍
Great info! Have a Toshiba laptop that was abused and the cpu failed in an unusual way which was thermal in nature ( un soldered itself from excessive heat.) After hours of trying to restart it just dropped dead. I pulled the hard drive and installed it in an external adapter to usb. I find all of the data within the drive but I do not see Win Vista anywhere on the drive. I know that when it was new there was a second partition on the drive but I do not see it anywhere now. After a detailed scan of the drive it comes back clean with no errors but I do not see any windows program directory nor do I see a second partition with the back up iso. Is there a chance that the constant reboot process due to the thermal shut down may have corrupted the drive in any way?
@@Scarsuna nope, there was no way possible, the CPU UNBONDED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. MOTHER BOARD WENT CRAZY REBOOTING AS the board cooled. Who really knows what went on with the laptop. VISTA, Microsoft’s bastard child…….
I don't care for it. Some people love it. Just depends on your needs and preferences. This might help: 👍 The complete idiot's guide to Windows 11 | How to do EVERYTHING ruclips.net/video/5kt4t2gzt9g/видео.html
Novice question: Is this the same kind of Windows backup you described in the Ventoy video with the Windows ISO files? What is the difference between these 2 kinds of USB Windows recovery backups?
The Ventoy video is about a Windows (generic) installer. This video is specifically about creating a recovery disc from your manufacturer that includes all apps and drivers, just as when it was brand new 👍
I dont think it is more important it makes things easier. The Ventoy one you can use to reinstall any computer but you will have to install drivers manualy. This recovery CD is for this computer only and it includes drivers and utilities from the manufacturer of your device.
WAIT A MINUTE! What if you have a non-branded computer built by a local computer store. It's not a Dell or an HP, but it works very well. How do I make a recovery disc like you just described?
Unfortunately, if it's not an OEM like Dell, HP etc, you won't have that option. Best bet is to clone your drive. Here's how: How to clone a hard drive - EASY step by step walk-thru! ruclips.net/video/-89EcTjzl4M/видео.html
Idk How your discord works but i have to rejoined everytime aftrr 5 minutes the server doesnt show on left bar ..like ive been flushed everytime..id the time to post a question for my brothet w10 restarting..i give up your discord way
Discord is mainly for my viewers. I know very little about it and am rarely on it. I know you have to verify your account within 10 minutes or start the process over again. As I said, rarely use it and the last best way to reach me personally 👍
My friend has a Lenovo laptop with Windows 7 installed on it and he doesn't want to lose anymore data than he has to. I'm trying to help him reinstall his Windows 7 and I don't know what to do please help. Anything will be appreciated thanks ahead of time.
I'd argue that built in "recovery" discs are silly, and all you need is Macrium Reflect and an external hard drive to image your computer about once a week, and if anything goes wrong, simply just drop that image back on your computer and your PC will feel like nothing ever happened.
@@AskYourComputerGuy Actually, Marcrium Reflect Home Edition is free. And all you need is an extra drive to image too. So there's no budget needed really. Haha
Use your PC completly offline. No digital tamphering with your hardware. No malware. No hackers. No owerides. No bug by updates. If it work it will work unthil a tech defect happens. It will last for meny years before faliure
You dont need internet access for you PC. You can use Mobil phone or tablet for internet needs. Do not comoromise you PC Rig to digital rape of hardware and software because of constant changes how it works = more and more processing of CPU AnD GPU leads to damage and insability of the PC. From start if you PC Rig works then it will work until tech defect happens = that will last for years unthil faliure
Factory recovery discs can be VERY useful, but just make sure that the one your create isn't "Locked" to that manufacturers PC. Some will throw up an error message if you try and use them to reimage the hard drive in the PC if you've upgraded away from the original specs. So if you've replaced your graphics card, added more memory, and fitted a bigger hard drive since making the recovery disc, the software may think you're trying to illegally use the disk to put windows on multiple PC's.
I worked as a hardware tech for many years, and the biggest lesson I learnt from dealing with customers was that 99% of them honestly believed that hardware failure won't happen to them. I've seen multiple customers get angry because 6+ months of their college or university work has ceased to exist, or info they used to make money was lost due to hard drive failure.
You get numb to their situations after a while. You just think "Well, they were an idiot for not safeguarding such important data", and just use the memory of how stressed out they'd become to reinforce your commitment to making sure YOUR OWN data backup strategy is sound........ But every once and a while a story would still cut through. Like the little old couple who's only photos of their sadly deceased daughter and granddaughter (Car accident) were stored on the hard drive that you've unknowingly just told them was "completely děâd".
So the message everyone should take home from this is that......
(1) Hard drives DO unexpectedly stop working.
(2) Any data on a broken drive is as good as gone.
(3) If the loss of your data will cause you to also lose money, sleep, or hair...... BACK IT UP !
IT support doesn't care that your music collection/your screen play/the last 7 years of your doctorate research notes are ONLY stored on the broken hard drive, because we know that in all likelihood, they're NOT there any more.
Personally, I keep full backups of everything........ To the extent of having all the PC's in the house do incremental weekly backups to the large data storage hard drive in my main PC. That drives paired with an equally large USB hard drive, and uses a sort of software raid to mirror the main storage drive to this USB backup in real time. If there was a fire at home, after I'd made sure my dogs were safe, THAT's the next thing I'd grab. Every few weeks I'll also back up that storage drive to another USB hard drive that lives in a fireproof/waterproof cash box...... This may sound paranoid, but I've got personal data that would result in me losing money, sleep, AND hair if it became lost, and i can ill afford to lose more of any of these things. :D
All this wasn't hard to setup, and for a minimum of weekly "Techie housekeeping" it means that if any of my PC's irretrievably break, I can have another one in it's place and all setup within a couple of hours.
After having had a lucky escape with what i THOUGHT was hard drive failiure (but it turned out to be a really weird power issue, which kept the PC from booting (from ANY device), and it wasn't even a PSU fault, the faulty component was not even in the PC case or connected to any data ports on the PC), I now make sure to keep at least 3 copies of my data (at present i have one copy on an internal SSD (seperate from the OS drive), one copy on a NAS with RAID 1 (2 HDDs), and one copy on an external HDD)
Generally the best way to go is a clean install of Windows from Microsoft, then add drivers from the manufacturer manually. OEMs add a lot of junk software, and if you're really lucky, Lenovo installs adware that performs a man-in-the-middle attack against your https traffic that left open even more vulnerabilities when the adware's security key was compromised. One of Dell's software updates decided to run 100% cpu on a cpu core of my sister's laptop. It caused heat, fans running loud, and short battery life.
Agreed. Factory recovery is not the way to go.
Just began making my win 11 recovery drive. Will also do same for other pc win 10. Thank you very-much !
You're very welcome! Glad it helped! 💪
Great information and advice. It's been a few years, but I had created a Recovery USB for an HP laptop computer and it made my computer life so much simpler when its HDD failed and I replaced it and got the laptop back to operating in short order.
Exactly the point of this video! Awesome! 💪👍❤️
@@AskYourComputerGuy
Indeed. I had never had a Recovery Disk before, but paid attention to the Pop-Up and created one and was so glad I did. And you are sharing a plethora of useful and valuable information. Excellent channel.
will i need a license to install windows10 once i create the USB?
@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment thank you! I really appreciate that! 💪
@thatroofbreal4860 negative. The activation is locked into your motherboard and shoud automatically activate if you reinstall the OS 👍
This is absolute excellent advice!
DVDs and CDs are going obsolete. With Windows you can make a recovery USB Key. I make system image backups on to external hard drives. I keep this image updated. With the recovery USB Key it has the software to allow for the default installation. With the USB Key to recover the default you would have to locate and install the drivers yourself from the manufacture. Best to keep full images on external drives.
You can make a recovery maintenance USB Key with software on it to restore the backup image from an external backup drive. I make system backups on 3 separate external drives in case one backup drive may fail. It's happened to me. I have had a main drive failure where I had to use the system backup image. Within an hour the computer is running from the most recently created backup system image.
Good observation. Although those not needing commercial applications might be better-served running Ubuntu or Debian. I no longer give free "windows" support, as the system is usually a disaster by the time I get it. I don't even know if "ask toolbar" is still an intrusion.
So you wouldn't help a friend or family member? That's good to know.
Wow! Almost think this video was made for me! Lol i know your assistance on helping me recover my screw up on my Toshiba satellite laptop was very helpful not only threw Your channel but threw your messages. Not only now laptop is running perfectly and backed up and recover disk made!! Thank you for your help and your advice and knowledge! I'm subscribed and i hit the reminder bell!!
Fantastic! Glad to help, and welcome to the community 💪
I backed up my husbands Windows 7 to Windows 10 and except for the drivers and bluetooth I finally got it to work without all that xtra junk they had on it. I had to download online for the appropriate ones but I like it better than before. Sadly Windows 10 no longer offer it for my old laptop.
@lindahill1199 i had the same problem but i did a crazy move, and it worked! I upgrade to the Windows Pro enterprise Evaluation feature the Experience pack and copy all the good packages and drivers. Then reset computer back to my original Windows Pro and dumped all the trash, and uploaded the Enterprise packages cause all the drivers were there on a Pro level. But this wasn't a fast doing! Specialty for a none computer smart person!! But i did it. As resetting just windows Pro i lost certain drivers and plus this old Toshiba laptop i had to get downloads for different components. But People like this RUclips channel helped me in a major way! Learning and Experiencing.
My thoughts are all over the place when it comes to the subject of backing up data. I 100% agree with the channel owner about making the recovery media when you buy OEM equipment, in fact, it is one of the first things you should do. As I stated in an earlier comment Microsoft has done a generally good job of making Windows 8, 10, and 11 plug-and-play ready for things like Wi-Fi and mouse dongles for laptops. The problem is Microsoft can't install the VITAL chipset drivers. Remember the Wi-Fi cards go right into the PCIe, I have lost count of the times I have fixed problems because the person installed an OEM version of Windows and failed to install the chipset drivers. In all honesty, if you don't understand what a chipset is, or fail to understand the PCIe system, EVEN if you know how to install an OS, you should either have a professional like this channel owner install it, or stick with the installation you bought the computer with. This is not me attempting to insult anybody, just simple facts!
Also important to know which *order* to install drivers manually (chipset, then NIC, etc), which is why a recovery disk is so useful for those that don't have advanced knowledge 💪👍
@@AskYourComputerGuy maybe you can comment Scott, what is the correct order for driver installation. ? Thanks much, Keith
It depends on the machine and the manufacturer. For Dells, I believe it is a) chipset b) NIC/LAN c) card reader d) display e) audio, then everything else. It's been a while, but that's a good common practice for driver order in my experience 👍
I own a Dell Latitude 3540 (legacy) Laptop. It came with Windows 8. I refurbished it. I installed OEM Windows as well as using Linux on it. There are actually 2 VERY critical drivers that should be installed first on this laptop. In fact, if these drivers are not installed any attempt to install the card reader driver will fail.
@@isaackvasager9957 TRUE!!!! Microsoft will do its best to get a PC up and running and has been since they released Windows 8. This is great because before this you sometimes had to have network drivers available to get on the internet so you could go to update. The drawback is the chipset drivers, I have never seen any situation where Microsoft has installed "copyrighted" chipset software from either Intel or AMD. Then you have the situation that an OEM company like Dell or HP has a driver that works better. I have some hardware on my built desktop PC that I am not at liberty to discuss, it is required for my business. Until I install the driver software it won't work correctly. I still want to repeat what ACG has stated in the video as well as these comments. The BEST way to handle these installation issues for an OEM system is to make the recovery media FIRST!
Great video! Whenever I get a new computer, I purchase an equivalent HD or SSD of the original and then dupe it. I then use the duped version so that I always have the original ready to go if necessary.
Excellent!
I did that, with an external HDD caddy. Worked great for 7 or 8 years, before I finally, reluctantly, decided to go to Win10 when my beloved Winny (Win7) machine died, again.
👍
why don't they just make an iso file downloadable on their website? cuz what if i lose the restore media and the computer doesn't boot, now i have no way to restore the original drivers or programs and have to find it one by one online assuming the drivers even exist online somewhere. this will also free up disk space unnecessarily taken up by the restore partition.
Some vendors do, but most don't 🤷♂️
Great stuff Computer Guy, I have build over 10+ computers and yes he is right. Recovery disc is good to have especially when your computer becomes out of date. Max drive new one on me I will have to try this, I have see these before in the paid versions of CC cleaner which also does a good job. However, will not let you down load and update driver without paying. Also, don't think it will let you save a copy of your drivers for later use as well paid or not will check into it.
I use DriverMax for that, have for years. Think I paid $40 or so for a lifetime license and it has paid for itself many times over. Will be making a video about it soon 👍
Manufacturers used to include the discs with the purchase. Now, they include malware in the machine and expect us to make the USB or DVD. I agree with another listener that stated Linux is the better choice of an operating system.
🤷♂️
The computer will connect to any internet with basic settings new or old ,also you could use any program like easy driver finder ,or driver pro to get drivers or better still just update from Microsoft update that's easy.
I could use your help. Thanks for the videos. Very informative.
Best video I've watched all year.
Wow, thank you! ❤️
Thank you @AskYourComputerGuy now what is the difference between this and the instructions you provided in creating a bootable Media Creation USB drive using the MediaCreationTool? Is the purpose the same? I now have the USB drive with the instructions you provided and feel if I ever encounter an issue with Windows, it will come in handy. I have Windows 10 PRO and I am a sight impaired computer user who uses assistive technology to help me use the computer. I appreciate your videos/ work. Have a good one!
Great question! This is referring to the Windows recovery media creator that comes with (SOME) OEM computers. The other video refers to a generic Windows installer disc that you can use to install Windows. Doesn't load any specific drivers until after Windows updates. The factory recovery media installs everything exactly as it was when it was brand new. Hope that helps :)
What a great, practical channel; clarity of teaching superb! Just finished this vid, never knew about partitioning the C drive and moving personal data to the new partition to protect that info from OS issues. Thanx! Here's my question: what about moving the Program Files and Program Files (x86) and Program Data folders? What about other software specific stuff? Thanx in advance.
You can install programs to another partition, but because those settings are stored in the registry, if you have to reinstall Windows, you'll have to reinstall those programs...unless you keep registry backups and then import them over after the Windows install. That might work
Your The BEST Scotty!!! I Def gotta do this ta that HP envy 17T CG000 .... I want to get it tip top for when i gotta go back into the Hospital.. Thank You Buddy!!!
You are SO welcome! 👍
I have a brand new laptop I want to make a recovery flash for and was going to ask you if you thought I should just go ahead and update my 2 others, barely used, to Windows 10 to 11 while they still offer it. Read through all your comments here I found you like Windows 10 better so I guess I will stay with the 10 and not the 11. Just a thumbs up is all I need for your suggestion, sir. Merry
Christmas to you and yours. Just found you today and I Subscribed to All. Thank you, sir for all you do.
Windows 10 yes. Windows 11, I don't care for it
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thank you for answering me, Computer guy. Now that I've been playing on the 11 version, I see I have an S version on it. I can't download Chrome or any other newbie without completely changing the modification of that Windows. I've never heard of that before but I don't like the start up page where you can't go to the windows bottom left and open your other places. I like Chrome, Rumble, RUclips, Windows Media for playing CD's. Basically I hate change.
Glad I subscribed. Such valuable information that is easy to understand
Backup old driverstore directory from previous windows install, in windows/system32 before you start reinstall. It has all necessary installation drivers for when drivers are missing after fresh install. Tell device manager to look in your backup driverstore directory for the drivers it needs.
Hi Scott thank you for your excellent videos. Could you make one video on how to get medicat and how to use it. Thank you.
A full Medicat walk through is on the drawing board 👍
great advise. but ive never been able to get the recovery disk to work
EXACTLY! Had to 2 different times on 2 different computers and they didn't work.
Thx , I need to learn to get the fluff out of it , preinstalled bloatware’
Great video. Thankyou Scott
Thank you, I appreciate that! 💪
Isn't it better do make a normal image backup with acronis, macrium etc...?
Thanks for your advice
Great help👍
Will the recovery software provided by the manufacturer have the ability to back up everything, including applications such as MS Office activation keys, data...etc ?
Is there any recovery for android tablets (samsung s9 ultra)?
Negative. The recovery software from your manufacturer will ONLY reinstall Windows as it was when you bought it. Can't speak to Android tablets, as that's not my specialty
@@AskYourComputerGuy thanks for your rapid reply 👍
You're welcome! I always try to answer quickly - helps when I see a comment pop up on my phone 👍
the GODSHARK NVME to USB Adapter, M.2 SSD to Type-A Card I returned and got the fully enclosed version and it's good... recommended
👍
Great videos. A tip from a videographer: frame yourself so you fill most of the frame (vertically), ie don't position your head in the middle. Those in the know, know. And now you know. 😎
Heard 💪
Another great video! Thanks so much!
You are VERY welcome! Thanks for your support! 💪
Hey i heared some news regarding CCleaner that it was compromised. Was it true? You also recommend it.
Years ago, yes. Then Avast acquired them and their was a big stink about that. I only use CCleaner for temp file cleanup, not sure I'd use it for anything besides that. Jury's still out.
How about adding a NAS configured with a RAID system to automatically mirror your entire C drive, and also function as a personal cloud, like if you don't completely trust some company renting cloud storage that might get hacked?
For data backup i use onedrive.
DriverMax, Where have you been all my life! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Same! I just love it :)
Just pickup 2 lifetime codes and quite the steal of a deal too. Thanks again for directing me to them 👍
Good advice. I just installed windows 10 on a PC I assembled/ built. Will look for the recovery disk creation, but its not popping up. My old Windows 7 PCs run great on 10 year old SSDs! But, Uh oh, need to create a recovery disk for those too.
You're likely not going to find them on newer Windows 10 machines. But some OEMs still include them. Good luck! 👍
Thanks, gonna make one right away. 🙂👍
Good deal! You may never need it, but if you ever do, you'll be so thankful you took the time! 👍
6:53 Microsoft not hosting a specific operating system release / version isnt really a concern. You can look up official sha-256 hashes of major windows releases and verify that the iso hasnt been altered. :/
Technically, you are correct. But I'm talking to the people that don't know a hash from a hash brown. Those people I'm trying to keep from spending money to pay someone who does 💪
thanks! probably saved my future self a few stress tears.
💪💪💪
Hello, do you have a preference for any particular Password Manager? Thanks
I'm experimenting with Nordpass right now to decide if it's worth making a video. It's not bad
Hello my computer guy.
Do you have a video on installing Linux on ‘my computer’ ?
Working on a "Linux for absolute dummies" video, not published yet. Check Chris Titus Tech - he's all Linux
I Didn’t do this 6 yrs ago. Doing it now. 3dvds. HP will allow only one copy. I’ve just cloned the hard drive. Is this a redundancy or is it an additional safeguard?
No such thing as "too much" redundancy. Good job, my friend! 👍
Virtual machines are great as an option. I have 2 backups into 2 flash drives. Something happens? Delete and use the clean backups.
👍
Agreed, though being virtual you have snapshots to just roll them back rather than rely on deleting and re-copying the files back. I test stuff and restore multiple of them every day.
True 💪
@@AskYourComputerGuyyou are right. In my case I take the extra step because sometimes the snapshots for vms get bugged out. That's why I keep a double back up because of what I do. My real worry is the future for windows they appear to want to make it subscription based which comes with many issues.
@danteoviedo5347 let us pray together 😂💪👍
This is extremely helpful
Thanks, I appreciate that!
Here after watching ventoy video. Question. I ran HP recovery tool for my laptop and it created an image. It's roughly 14ish gigs. I wanted to copy that image to the ventoy drive that has my windows 11 and 10 fresh install ISOs. But when I put the hp disk I created into my computer, I was expecting to see an iso file, but instead it just shows the 14ish gb used and 1ish gb free with no files. It's a 16gb usb drive. How do I add this to my ventoy drive?
Thank you so much 👍😘🇦🇺
My pleasure! Thank you for watching 👍
I personally would rather have an exact same clone of my drive sitting ready to go if anything should go wrong and it will, and I never install any programs on my C drive unless you don't get the option to choose another install folder so that way you only need to copy your shortcuts ( which I have a folder with them all saved in on my Installs drive) back on to your desktop and you are up and running again.
Thank you once again. This is extremely helpful. 👍👍👍
Just one question to be absolutely sure. When you refer throughout the video to “recovery disk” do you mean, for most people/instances, “recovery USB stick”? I know in the past DVDs were the typical storage medium but they’re about as fashionable now as flared trousers. 😁
LOL the "recovery disk" whether DVD or flash drive, means the fresh operating system (with no users created). Basically "just like it what was the second your brought it home and fired it up". Does that help?
@@AskYourComputerGuy YES! That makes it crystal clear. Thanks again, Computer Guy!
👍😁
@@AskYourComputerGuy So do you suggest using a pen drive? (What do you use?) How large a volume on the pen drive, in the typical case? Does the pen drive become a "disk" like an ISO, or can I add files to it with the recovery on it?
The flash drive size depends on the specific brand. Usually an 8GB or more is recommended 👍
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks. Having never had to use a recovery stick before I assumed it would contain some kind of ISO image and was therefore surprised at how small the 8GB stick was that I ordered with the laptop at purchase 4 years ago. I suspected what you said in the video but had never before seen it so explicitly described, FINALLY! 😁
While still not properly knowing how it was intended to work I did make my own recovery stick about a year ago as a further backup, a belt & braces fail safe as it were. I bought a 64GB stick but I had to format it to 32GB for some stated reason during the process which I have now forgotten. Another reason for doing this was that the laptop came with Windows 10, but Bill Gates’s special forces operative bots updated it to Windows 11 after I repeatedly declined their kind offer, so I thought I had better mirror that fact in my new recovery stick just in case.
Anyway, you’ve been a great help. I don’t like to move on these things unless I know exactly what I’m doing. And THAT is why I’m subscribed to your channel! Many thanks. 😁👍👍👍
This is nothing new. I had an Acer laptop back in 2006 that came with xp media center. It had a recovery disk creation tool and partition. After windows 7 I ditched windows all together for linux and never looked back.
I've watched a few of your videos lately because I just purchased a HP Pavillion desktop computer that runs Windows 11. Before I installed the computer just yesterday (April 29, 2024), I transferred most of my files and photos from my 6 year old HP Pavillion Windows 10 computer to two USB flash drives. As of yesterday, after I setup new computer, I inserted flash drive in new computer that has 4 USB ports in front and 4 USB ports in back of computer. The back ports have my keyboard, Microsoft mouse, HP printer/scanner and new Creative stereo speakers, so all used. As mentioned, I inserted flash drive in front USB ports and flash drive was not recognized and I tried all 4 ports and nothing. I even rebooted the computer a few times and didn't work. On control panel, I see C-DRIVE and DVD drive, but no USB drive?
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Don from Milwaukee wi
If you are sure the flash drives are goof, then it can only be one of two things: all usb ports are somehow disabled or broken or Windows is damaged. Check device manager for any disabled devices, that could help sort it out
This is great for the first year or so, but after that I prefer to rely on a full backup program like Macrium Reflect because of so many changes made to my computer since aquiring it, such as moving from Windows 10 to 11.
👍
Thats why keep an old usb wifi card around just in case like the Linksys AE6000
Same!
HUH...never knew a WXP-11 had that? cool!!! 🙂 wow...takes a looong-time to create the Recovery data!! ]
What if the pc was not a brand name? Home made or self assembled? Thanks
Good question - at least get a Windows installer disc for emergencies:
[2024 MEGA update!] 2 USB boot drives EVERY Windows user should make before it's too late!
ruclips.net/video/pi3haU6h1es/видео.html
Most people never run the recovery media tool, because "it's just yet another pop up" preventing them from getting to work. Unfortunately it'll pop up only the one time at the initial setup of the PC, and then it's just hidden either in the startmenu or in some obscure OEM software that will never get run again because people don't know what it is. It used to be that I just kept a USB drive with portableapps on it, like Speccy, to identify the hardware and just manually download the drivers to an external drive before wiping and reinstalling with an official Windows installer. I've simply not had the need to do this in probably 10-12 years because 99% of the time windows update will just install the driver. usually when it failed it was some weird generic wifi device, or a softmodem.
Agreed
Very helpful video.
Thanks my friend!
Very good advise.
Thank you :)
Would a restore point work the same ?
Not quite. A restore point is good for putting windows back to a previously working point, but not to restore it back to "factory"
Great video! Thank you. Can you describe how to make a recovery file on a USB drive? Perhaps you did and I missed it. Thanks again!!!
If you have an OEM system, find the recovery creation tools on your start menu as instructed. The software will guide you through the process. It's different for every vendor but the concept is always the same 👍
@@AskYourComputerGuy Great, thanks!
@acreguy3156 ❤️
I bought a new laptop 5 months ago and it has windows11 on it. It does not have a disk reader on it. How do i go about backing my stuff up just in case ???
Flash drive or if you really need to there are portable USB based disk readers but you don't need that imo
Can I used a flash drive to back up my laptop? Will I need a USB dedicated flash drive for this back up?
Absolutely, as long as it is large enough to hold your data. And no, you can use any drive, even with data on it, even an external hard drive if you wish :)
@@AskYourComputerGuyif the external drive has data, how does it upload to the same computer, after it crashed? I know that a new windows install drive does that automatically when inserted into the usb. But will it automatically upload from an external drive with other data? Not sure how to restore from an external drive
@trevino37 it doesn't copy anything back automatically. You have to drag and copy your individual folders to the "new" instalation. Just the reverse of when you copied them to your portable. Make sense?
@@AskYourComputerGuy sorry not sure how to drag the folder to the new installation when the laptop itself is not working and with a black screen. I would gladly see any video on this process, if you have a video on it. If not, a video showing the process of reinstalling the backup onto a laptop that totally crash with nothing more but a black screen. Or maybe a video on “when to reinstale a backup vs reinstalling. Windows from scratch due to black screen” , assuming all attempt have failed in accessing any files .
How often do I need to create a Recovery Disk. If I created one in 2023, what about all the Window updates in 2024??
The recovery disk creates the factory image your PC came with. Creating a another disc will create the exact same image. You'll have to download updates if you ever use it
And gow does one make a recovery disk when he has build his own pc?
Hm.. I had to reinstall my PC recently and didn't have such recovery disc. But the PC was still functional so I could download the latest Windows iso and create one. Even better: we did the reinstallation via the manufacturer's recovery tool, via HP. The original PC came with a lot of bloatware, which this new reinstallation version didn't seem to have all. Just a few. I didn't write it all down but it seemed to have less stuff to uninstall afterwards. Windows was OK on the 32GB usb, but the HP needed a 64GB one. Also created new from the HP website. I guess it is better like this as the new downloaded ones contain some updates already. So if there is another functioning machine available, doing the reinstalation with most recent software seems to be a better option.
Agreed!
Hey my computer got a blue screen then moved to a black screen but when I push the power button it lights up the bar just to say it’s. Microsoft dell how do you fix a black screen that won’t turn on even pushing the power button how do you do it
Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds or until you hear everything shut off. Power it back on, see what happens. You might be just putting it into sleep mode by pressing the power button once for a second or two
Great advice and I'll be doing it A.S.A.P..
👍
It also comes with windows 11 on a usb flash drive.
Hi, many of you videos have helped me get out of some tight spots. I was thinking of donating one of my old iPhone to a third world contry; my problem is the phone is locked and the code does not work. This began around the time that the code was 4 digits and my new phone had 6 digits. I went to apple and they told me they couldnot help. Have you any idia of how I can unlock this phone? Thanks so very much.
Only option you might have is to connect it your PC, open iTunes and you should be able to connect to the phone and at least wipe it. Sorry, telco isn't my specialty 🥲
Is a recovery disk useful to a dual boot Windows and Linux install on the same drive or does it depend?
It's useful for reinstall of the factory settings. Unless your system came as a dual boot, you'd have to set that up again after recovery 👍
I am a novice. Can you make a video step by step how to make a backup
Gladly! Already done :)
The definitive guide to backing up your PC
ruclips.net/video/kDYKLzm-EMo/видео.html
Thank you
I have a custom-built PC and had to use one that the company, "Puget system," provided. I did everything for me including the username. Is it possible to make one that also installs any programs you've added?
Unfortunately not with custom/non-OEM systems. Your best bet would be to clone the drive. That's the only way to truly guarantee you get everything. Here's how:
How to clone a hard drive - EASY step by step walk-thru!
ruclips.net/video/-89EcTjzl4M/видео.html
Hello, got a problem on my asus AMD RYZE 7 6800 it keeps unplugging and plugging itself everytime i turn on labtop after being off for awhile.. it just gives me an overlay of being plugged in and out , lags my whole comp screen starts to fligger it sucks looked everwhere online but cant find any info on this problem any help or idea whats wrong with it would be highly appreciated!
Meaning it keeps indicating charging/not charging? If so, could be th DC jack:
Laptop charging problem? EASY DIY $11.26 fix!
ruclips.net/video/GkdChwvzKXs/видео.html
What size USB drive is needed?
8GB is safe, but your software will tell you what the recommended size is. Depends on your OEM
i need help about windows 10 and 11 drivers update , i have and old dell laptop (dell inspiron N11510) "i like all Dell laptops by the way old or new 😅😅" when i put any windows of them all drivers gets updated and installed by windows update easily and if go into the (device manger) and tried to update any of them its all good and no need for those driver to get updated and Microsoft downloaded the good drivers for this laptop , but when i use any (third party) app its says there are more new updates and needed to be downloaded .
the question is : 1- do i download those updates or not on this type of old laptop or not ?
2- if yes which is the best third party app do you advice to use to download them so i don't get any malwares or viruses ?
sorry for talking so much 😅😅
Great questions! As a general rule, I don't update hardware drivers as long as everything is working correctly. You rarely see security issues because of outdated drivers. Possible, but unlikely. Secondly, as shown in the video, I trust DriverMax. It has always found drivers that I couldn't locate and have always been safe to download. The link is in the description, it would help support the channel if you use the affiliate link. Hope this helps! 💪
i did see the link and like it too i swear @@AskYourComputerGuy 😅 the point is when i used driver max and it was great by the way , it showed me that i have drivers in the old laptop that needs up date while the device manger it self says the opposite😅 so i didn't want to blow up the laptop by accident 😂 so i wanted to make sure from you , really really thank you so much for all the help and advice 🥰
@airjordan59 anytime! I've never had an issue with a device with updated drivers unless I'm having an issue. In other words...if it ain't broke....😂
don't fix it 🤣🤣 got your point 😂@@AskYourComputerGuy
@airjordan59 😂
Resetting Windows to a new state is an option that’s always available now, I might miss out on the bloatware that came on my laptop, oh no
Does anyone know if HP still has recovery software for windows 11?
Check your start menu for HP category. If it's not there, then you likely have a recovery partition you can boot from if necessary
I made a recovery USB for my 2017 Dell using their Dell OS Recovery Tool. However, they don't provide that option for my Inspiron 660 (2013 Vintage) The Support page for the Inspiron 660 does not have it listed under Additional Resources. It shipped with Windows 7 which I upgraded to Windows 10. Is there anything a senior lady with only basic computer skills can do?
If it isn't available through your installed programs, you basically have four options. One, you might be able to find the recovery software on a torrent site, download and burn it to CD. That requires a bit of skill of course. You could contact Dell and they might have them still in inventory somewhere and would mail you one (usually for around $30-40). Third, you could try to find one on eBay (you never know!). Lastly, you could create a clone of your existing drive. Made a recent video on how to do that step by step 👍
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I do have a CD drive on the machine. I have some writable disks. I will watch your video and see if it's a possibility for me to clone the drive. Not holding out much hope because of my skill level. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. @@AskYourComputerGuy
Looked at you cloning video. This is not going to be possible. Thanks.@@AskYourComputerGuy
👍
Wish I had a better answer for you 🥲🤷♂️
I'm not clear on whether this is just the same as say the Windows 10 Media Creation USB I made too? If the pc crashes and it's the SSD, then I'd need a new one and re-install Windows to that surely? What does this have that's different? Is it like a version that has a "snapshot" of my whole PC with drivers (say ANT+, Bluetooth etc) so more like a recovery date you go back to when a new program messes things up, but on a USB? Do I need to keep updating it?
No you don't need to update it. The difference is that one (the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft) gives you a generic version of Windows. No brand or model specific drivers. Windows updates, as stated in the video, can't always find the drivers you need, which can be an issue. Specifically for wifi drivers. A factory recovery disk is the preloaded Windows version that you got when brand new. Drivers included. At the end of the day, both will likely work the same, but why take a chance when you know that ONE of the two will absolutely work 💪
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks for the reply- so could I then free up the USB on the Media Creation Tool? I made up a Hirens Boot CD one and a MCT one before, following your advice!
Better to use the 2nd disc as a Ventoy drive. Here's how and why:
The LAST flash drive you will ever need! Ventoy FULL walk-thru and review!
ruclips.net/video/MIT3w-EPA9M/видео.html
If you don't have drive for a disk can you use a usb..
Depends on the OEM. Most modern machines in the last 10 years or so give you the option for either. You just need to run the recovery creation software and see if that's an option for you
Or you can do what the pros do.
get a cheap 50gig SSD and make a clean install of windows on it.
next download all your drivers needed on that installation.
After installing you drivers get a hard drive cloning software many are free and no bull attached with it.
after all this work witch will take some time will save you time later on as you will have a fresh install with all drivers needed for that time and you will have it forever.
all you need to do wen you need a new install is switch boot device in your bios or UEFI bios then boot up the fresh install and then format your old hard drive or SSD.
finally clone your fresh install onto your SSD or hard drive witch is usually way faster then windows installer and there you go a freash new install with all the drivers you need with no bloatware.
you will still have to update drivers and update windows but going this rout will save you time and hassle.
recovery media is alright but limited in many ways such as speed for windows to install and so forth.
can you send the link to upgrading win 8.1 to win 10 thanks
You can watch this video that will show you how to download the Windows ISO files you need. Hope this helps!
2 USB boot drives EVERY PC user should make before it's too late!
ruclips.net/video/uCkOVDHfFJM/видео.html
@@AskYourComputerGuy 2 USB boot drives done good video thanks
PLZ HELP!! Windows 11. This question Is not so much related to the video. But I've asked other places with no response.
I'm trying to factory reset or reboot I'm not sure which one. So to able to get to the screen before "OOBE" where I can pick my "language region currency" and Also the page that asks if this computer is for "Home or Work/School" PLZ 🙏 HELP !! Do I need to return the computer? It's new I just didn't click the correct things during the very original setup. 😕 PLZ HELP!! Factory reset will get me to where I can pick language but it's not the correct original screen. Trying to get to
"English world" and the screen where it asks if this computer is for "Home or Work/School" screen 🤔 PLZ HELP! Thx
Factory recovery from bootup, choose language and region and continue 👍
@@AskYourComputerGuy does that mean I would have to have the operating system on a USB drive?
@@AskYourComputerGuy I did factory reset yes I can get to language and region. Both extremely Limited language for example you have the choice to pick from about 10 different languages same with the region zero way to be able to pick if this for home or school. Absolutely no way to be able to pick English world you can pick English you can even pick English UK I ended up returning it because I had factory reset it like 6 times in a bunch of different ways and wasn't not able to get it Back to far enough to get to the original screen where I can pick from all of the languages and all of the regions. Have you had anybody else asked you this question? I asked a few other tech people they said the same thing and or they said oh on Windows 11 they must have changed it because I tried to do this with mine and wasn't able to get back to the original screen that you're talking about. But I know 100% they didn't because just a few hours before I had watched the RUclips video I set it up and did get that screen with the hundreds of languages/regions to pick from.
Instead of the water down 10 options or so list of each. Odd to me. Unless the only way to do that is to actually wipe it and reboot it from a flash drive. My assumption would be if you downloaded operating system from internet it would automatically put you in the region and language that ur in or still give you the water down screen.
@@AskYourComputerGuy thank you for all you do and all your guidance appreciate it. I think a video on this specific thing would be very helpful to us novice. To make it specifically clear on how to do it or if you can or can't do it without a flash drive and what are the differences between downloading it off the internet and doing it with a flash drive so people can actually see the screen because I've seen lots of people running into the same issue not just me when I've been looking for the answer nobody seems to know the actual answer to this. Or I haven't seen any side by side comparisons and I looked I really looked everywhere Google RUclips Brave Reddit Wikipedia on and on and on it's not clear to anybody from the answers I've seen. And yes I know that you did do a video on it but not with a side-by-side comparison and nobody's talking about the water down 10 or so language region screen. & No real info on Windows 11 also to be able to change the computer setting from use as home or use as work in school. Thx Computer Guy.
do you have a step by step to create a recovery disk?
Unfortunately, no. Every OEM has a different process and a different recovery disk tool. However, as shown in the video, if you can search your search bar for the recovery program, they are usually very easy to follow, step-by-step instructions 👍
I just has a ssd fail on me and i had a usb with windows to go on to and another with a boot drive after going through the windows install prompts and loading i realized i was runing windows off the usb only it did not install on the hardrive i had to go buy a whole new one and also bought a back up drive please do this before its to late i couldnt recover any of my data luckily i had it all backed up to clouds or usb drives now i have my c drive and my d drive on my oc plus another ssd i am storing with a copy of my pc already installed also my hardrive went out out of the blue i was running my pc perfectly fine then next thing i froze completely couldnt even task manager out of the game i was on i was forced to turn the pc off via the swich in the back when i turned it back on my oc couldnt find any boot image at all even after trying to change boot order also the bios registered the hard drive but when i booted with windows to go it would not show up in the explorer or anywhere else i looked for it. Please do this make a windows repair usb and i would recogment windows to go also
Is a MSI laptop from a OEM manufacturer?.
MSI is the OEM
I've never seen that "update recovery" message in my life. Hard to react to something that does not happen.
I was going to use a thumb drive. Any idea about how big I’ll need? They are so cheap now days. I was thinking at least 32gb.
Anything over 8GB should be plenty. 32GB is probably overkill for this specific need 👍
Dell said 16GGB@@AskYourComputerGuy
My desktop recently crashed so I had to create recovery disk good thing I have a laptop to create 1
👍
My question is this, how do you start creating one?
As stated in the video, if you don't get a popup reminder, search the start menu for your specific brand (Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc). If you have an OEM machine, it'll be under there 👍
Great info! Have a Toshiba laptop that was abused and the cpu failed in an unusual way which was thermal in nature ( un soldered itself from excessive heat.) After hours of trying to restart it just dropped dead. I pulled the hard drive and installed it in an external adapter to usb. I find all of the data within the drive but I do not see Win Vista anywhere on the drive. I know that when it was new there was a second partition on the drive but I do not see it anywhere now. After a detailed scan of the drive it comes back clean with no errors but I do not see any windows program directory nor do I see a second partition with the back up iso. Is there a chance that the constant reboot process due to the thermal shut down may have corrupted the drive in any way?
You probably reinstalled a clean copy of Vista and wiped the second partition and forgot about it.
try puran file recovery
@@Scarsuna nope, there was no way possible, the CPU UNBONDED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. MOTHER BOARD WENT CRAZY REBOOTING AS the board cooled. Who really knows what went on with the laptop. VISTA, Microsoft’s bastard child…….
That could be the craziest thing I've never heard of. Not sure how that is even possible without an actual fire happening 🤷♂️
Is Windows 11 better than 10?
I don't care for it. Some people love it. Just depends on your needs and preferences. This might help: 👍
The complete idiot's guide to Windows 11 | How to do EVERYTHING
ruclips.net/video/5kt4t2gzt9g/видео.html
Novice question: Is this the same kind of Windows backup you described in the Ventoy video with the Windows ISO files? What is the difference between these 2 kinds of USB Windows recovery backups?
The Ventoy video is about a Windows (generic) installer. This video is specifically about creating a recovery disc from your manufacturer that includes all apps and drivers, just as when it was brand new 👍
@@AskYourComputerGuySo, would you say this is more “important” to do than the Ventoy one?
I dont think it is more important it makes things easier. The Ventoy one you can use to reinstall any computer but you will have to install drivers manualy. This recovery CD is for this computer only and it includes drivers and utilities from the manufacturer of your device.
@theblakex honestly? I'd have a factory recovery disc (to cover drivers and one-click setup) *and* a MS ISO on Ventoy, just in case 👍
👍
WAIT A MINUTE! What if you have a non-branded computer built by a local computer store. It's not a Dell or an HP, but it works very well.
How do I make a recovery disc like you just described?
Unfortunately, if it's not an OEM like Dell, HP etc, you won't have that option. Best bet is to clone your drive. Here's how:
How to clone a hard drive - EASY step by step walk-thru!
ruclips.net/video/-89EcTjzl4M/видео.html
Drive Imaging tools like macrium reflect are what your looking for.
@@ozzybloke4830 free software only will work until Jan 2024.
@@AskYourComputerGuy Thanks for the clarification.
Anytime! 👍
Also, just build a desktop. Far less concerns about vendor-specific drivers than OEM desktops / laptops :/
Idk How your discord works but i have to rejoined everytime aftrr 5 minutes the server doesnt show on left bar ..like ive been flushed everytime..id the time to post a question for my brothet w10 restarting..i give up your discord way
Discord is mainly for my viewers. I know very little about it and am rarely on it. I know you have to verify your account within 10 minutes or start the process over again. As I said, rarely use it and the last best way to reach me personally 👍
My friend has a Lenovo laptop with Windows 7 installed on it and he doesn't want to lose anymore data than he has to. I'm trying to help him reinstall his Windows 7 and I don't know what to do please help. Anything will be appreciated thanks ahead of time.
Question I would ask is 1) why he needing to reinstall Windows 7 and 2) has he backed up any of his data prior to this point?
@@AskYourComputerGuy he likes the way Windows 7 looks and acts, yes he's backed up his data prior to this point.
@darylchandler1033 I'm confused. He has Windows 7 on it already and wants Windows 7 back?
@@AskYourComputerGuy no, he's locked out of his laptop and wants to get back into his computer with a new hard drive installed in it.
@darylchandler1033 so he has a locked BIOS, not a locked hard drive or Windows login?
MINE DID NOT HAVE BACKUP DISC EUISHIHUA DID NOT HAVE AN BACKUP TOOL
Is your machine an OEM like Dell, Toshiba, etc?
@@AskYourComputerGuy EUISHIHUA HAVE NO BACKUP TOOL AND I NEVER BACK UP
👍
I'd argue that built in "recovery" discs are silly, and all you need is Macrium Reflect and an external hard drive to image your computer about once a week, and if anything goes wrong, simply just drop that image back on your computer and your PC will feel like nothing ever happened.
For knowledgeable people with the budget for that, I agree. But not everyone has the budget or skills to do that. Or the desire 🤷♂️
@@AskYourComputerGuy Actually, Marcrium Reflect Home Edition is free. And all you need is an extra drive to image too. So there's no budget needed really. Haha
Correction: Free drivermax allows two updates per day.
Use your PC completly offline. No digital tamphering with your hardware. No malware. No hackers. No owerides. No bug by updates. If it work it will work unthil a tech defect happens. It will last for meny years before faliure
If you don't need internet access ever, I completely agree
You dont need internet access for you PC. You can use Mobil phone or tablet for internet needs. Do not comoromise you PC Rig to digital rape of hardware and software because of constant changes how it works = more and more processing of CPU AnD GPU leads to damage and insability of the PC. From start if you PC Rig works then it will work until tech defect happens = that will last for years unthil faliure