There are two types of "Recovery USB" for Windows 10. This guide covers the most common and useful one : a bootable USB installer that also contains recovery tools (Command Prompt, System Restore, Startup Repair).
Use a drive with at least 16GB of space (it will be formatted). download windows 10 recovery usb
| Feature | (Built-in Tool) | Installation Media (Media Creation Tool) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Primary Use | Troubleshooting & Factory Reset | Clean Installing Windows | | System Files | Copies current PC state/drivers | Downloads latest generic Windows version | | Recovery Partition | Can copy manufacturer recovery partition | Does not include manufacturer bloatware/drivers | | Creation Source | Must be made from a working PC | Can be made from any PC (Mac/Linux via ISO) | | Best For | Fixing a broken PC or restoring to factory settings | Installing Windows on a new hard drive | There are two types of "Recovery USB" for Windows 10
This method creates a tailored recovery tool that includes your specific system files and, often, manufacturer drivers. Recovery Drive - Microsoft Support | Feature | (Built-in Tool) | Installation Media
If your hard drive is encrypted with BitLocker, the recovery environment on the USB allows you to unlock the drive or manage encryption keys, which is often necessary when performing repairs on secure systems.