How to get a free Windows 10 recovery image for your PC

There are times when your PC is acting up and you need to install a quick clean version of Windows 10.

Using Windows 10, the process is relatively easy, thanks to the Media Creation Tool and a pretty simple activation process.

Here’s the real issue – after you’re done with the clean install, you still have to go back and update drivers and utility programs for that device.

Here’s a solution.

Download a recovery image for your device directly from the OEM.

The benefit is that this image is typically up to date and includes all the drivers you would need.

To use a recovery image, boot from the installation media, choose Troubleshoot from the Windows Recovery Environment, and then choose Recover From A Drive.

After a few initial prompts, the process is completely automatic.

Here are the images from the 4 major PC vendors.

Note – You’ll need an 8GB (or larger) USB flash drive and a serial number for the device you’re working with:

DELL

=> Use this link.

After reading the instructions, download the Dell OS Recovery Tool (Windows only) and run it from an account with administrative rights.

HP

Check the list of supported devices first; if your model is supported, download and run the Cloud Recovery Client, enter the serial number and model number, and follow the instructions to create a bootable flash drive containing the recovery image.

For HP consumer PCs (2018 or later only), use the HP Cloud Recovery Tool. This app is available from the Microsoft Store and is capable of detecting the serial number automatically.

If you’re creating a recovery image for a device other than the one you’re working with, you can enter that information manually.

LENOVO

Lenovo offers digital downloads for Windows 10 THINK systems and elected Ideapad and Desktop systems.

For older devices (2014 and later) that were originally sold with Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 10 Professional, Lenovo will ship bootable media within 4-5 business days (international ground service may take significantly longer).

For full details, see The Windows Recovery Media Systems Program.

MICROSOFT

You can find Recovery images for all Microsoft Surface devices are available here: Download a recovery image for your Surface.

Hopefully, this helps you.

Let us know in the comments if this is helpful.

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