4

Windows 10 Pro x64 v1909 update fails:
Issue seems to be caused by problems with WinRE, receiving the error if I also try to reset the PC.

  • I've tried resetting the ReAgent.xml [failed] and moving/restoring winre.wim to %WinDir%\system32\Recovery, then running reagentc /enabled [successful], but when I run /info again, it shows disabled and the winre.wim path is gone.

ReAgentc /Info:

  •  Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration Information:

 Windows RE status:         Disabled
 Windows RE location:
 Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
 Recovery image location:
 Recovery image index:      0
 Custom image location:
 Custom image index:        0
 ReAgentc: Operation Successful.

BCDedit /Enum all:

  •  Windows Boot Manager
 --------------------
 identifier              {bootmgr}
 device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1
 description             Windows Boot Manager
 default                 {current}
 resumeobject            {0dfb2af9-a292-11e9-ba4c-806e6f6e6963}
 displayorder            {current}
 timeout                 30

 Windows Boot Loader
 -------------------
 identifier              {current}
 device                  partition=C:
 path                    \Windows\system32\winload.exe
 description             Microsoft Windows 10 x64 Edition
 recoverysequence        {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
 recoveryenabled         Yes
 osdevice                partition=C:
 systemroot              \Windows
 resumeobject            {0dfb2af9-a292-11e9-ba4c-806e6f6e6963}
 nocrashautoreboot       No
 lastknowngood           No

 Resume from Hibernate
 ---------------------
 identifier              {0dfb2af9-a292-11e9-ba4c-806e6f6e6963}
 device                  partition=C:
 path                    \Windows\system32\winresume.exe
 description             Microsoft Windows 10 x64 Edition
 inherit                 {resumeloadersettings}
 recoverysequence        {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
 recoveryenabled         Yes
 filedevice              partition=C:
 filepath                \hiberfil.sys
 debugoptionenabled      No

ReAgentc /Enable logfile:

  •  10:37:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:37:08, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Executing command line: reagentc  /?-----
 10:37:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:37:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:37:08, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Exiting command line: reagentc  /?, Error: 0-----
 10:37:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:37:26, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:37:26, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Executing command line: reagentc  /v-----
 10:37:26, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:37:26, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:37:26, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Exiting command line: reagentc  /v, Error: 87-----
 10:37:26, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Executing command line: reagentc  /info-----
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinReGetConfig
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameters: configWinDir: NULL
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] WinRE config file path: C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\ReAgent.xml
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] Update enhanced config info is enabled.
 10:40:00, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] ReAgentConfig::ReadBcdAndUpdateEnhancedConfigInfo WinRE disabled, WinRE Guid could not be determined  (0x2) 
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] WinRE is staged
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] System is WimBoot: FALSE
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinReGetConfig return value: 1, last error: 0x0

 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Exiting command line: reagentc  /info, Error: 0-----
 10:40:00, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Executing command line: reagentc  /enable-----
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinRECheckGuid
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameter: TargetOsGuid: : NULL 
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinRECheckGuid return error code: 0x0
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinReInstall
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameter: ReInstallBecauseOfBitlocker: 0

 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 1: collect info like partition list, loading reagent.xml, source winre.wim and partition
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Enumerate and log all fixed partitions:

 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] --Partition info--
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] VolumeName: \\?\Volume{55abc128-0000-0000-0000-602200000000}, PartitionName: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Partition number: 2, offset: 576716800, free space: 299773304832, total space: 511531372544
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskNumber:0, DiskSignature:1437319464, NTFS:1, Mbr:1, Active:0, Boot:1, BitlockerEnabled:0
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] MBR partition id: 0x7
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskId: {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] --Partition info--
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] VolumeName: \\?\Volume{55abc128-0000-0000-0000-100000000000}, PartitionName: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition1
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Partition number: 1, offset: 1048576, free space: 541589504, total space: 575664128
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskNumber:0, DiskSignature:1437319464, NTFS:1, Mbr:1, Active:1, Boot:0, BitlockerEnabled:0
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] MBR partition id: 0x7
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskId: {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Get downlevel ReAgent config
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc]  Downlevel config file path: \Recovery\ReAgentOld.xml
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc]  Checking for downlevel WinRE installation.
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] First round search
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Get ReAgent config
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] GetReAgentConfig Config file path: C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\ReAgent.xml
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] CheckRegKey test hook (SystemSetupInProgress) present and disabled
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Update enhanced config info is enabled.
 10:40:05, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ReAgentConfig::ReadBcdAndUpdateEnhancedConfigInfo WinRE disabled, WinRE Guid could not be determined  (0x2) 
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 2: detect and fix if there is any issue for winre settings
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DetectAndFixWinReIssues (WinRE)WinRE is already installed, setting BCD entry (winre location \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE)
 10:40:05, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DetectAndFixWinReIssues Failed to get WinRE GUID.
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DetectAndFixWinReIssues Will fix the BCD entry.
 10:40:05, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] NOTE: WILL RETRY. We have to uninstall WinRE and retry because WinRE is installed but its BCD entry is not present.
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DetectAndFixWinReIssues Copying Winre.wim from \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE to staging location
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] winreCopyWIMBack moved WIM file from \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE\ to C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\Winre.wim successfully!
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] DetectAndFixWinReIssues we should retry because winre installation was changed.
 10:40:05, Error       [ReAgentc] failed to detect and fix winre issues, error:0x2
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinReInstall return value: 0, last error: 0x2
 10:40:05, Error       [ReAgentc] failed to install winre: : 0x2

 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Exiting command line: reagentc  /enable, Error: 2-----
 10:40:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Executing command line: reagentc  /enable-----
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinRECheckGuid
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameter: TargetOsGuid: : NULL
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinRECheckGuid return error code: 0x0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinReInstall
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameter: ReInstallBecauseOfBitlocker: 0

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 1: collect info like partition list, loading reagent.xml, source winre.wim and partition
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Enumerate and log all fixed partitions:

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Partition info--
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] VolumeName: \\?\Volume{55abc128-0000-0000-0000-602200000000}, PartitionName: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Partition number: 2, offset: 576716800, free space: 300220190720, total space: 511531372544
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskNumber:0, DiskSignature:1437319464, NTFS:1, Mbr:1, Active:0, Boot:1, BitlockerEnabled:0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MBR partition id: 0x7
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskId: {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Partition info--
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] VolumeName: \\?\Volume{55abc128-0000-0000-0000-100000000000}, PartitionName: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition1
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Partition number: 1, offset: 1048576, free space: 541589504, total space: 575664128
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskNumber:0, DiskSignature:1437319464, NTFS:1, Mbr:1, Active:1, Boot:0, BitlockerEnabled:0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MBR partition id: 0x7
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] DiskId: {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Get downlevel ReAgent config
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  Downlevel config file path: \Recovery\ReAgentOld.xml
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  Checking for downlevel WinRE installation.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] First round search
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Get ReAgent config
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] GetReAgentConfig Config file path: C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\ReAgent.xml
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] CheckRegKey test hook (SystemSetupInProgress) present and disabled
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Update enhanced config info is enabled.
 10:40:08, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ReAgentConfig::ReadBcdAndUpdateEnhancedConfigInfo WinRE disabled, WinRE Guid could not be determined  (0x2)
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] FindWinReSourceImageAndPartition No source winre.wim was specified.  Checking for a staged winre.wim.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] FindWinReSourceImageAndPartition using winre.wim from C:\Windows\system32\Recovery

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 2: detect and fix if there is any issue for winre settings
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] DetectAndFixWinReIssues nothing to do because winre is not enabled.

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 3: check if we can keep winre.wim in the same partition if it is staged.

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 4: check if we can put winre.wim in other partitions or create one if needed.

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] CanPutWinREOnOtherPartitions WinRE is not staged. Searching for a suitable partition for WinRE.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Entering FindTargetPartition
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] RegLoadKey $OFFLINE$SYSTEM failed. Error: 0x522.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  Not allowed to repartition the disk
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Start looping through each partition and initialize os partition, recovery partition and system partition for MBR
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  Checking partition at offset 576716800, partition number: 2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  find OS partition
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  Checking partition at offset 1048576, partition number: 1
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc]  NOTE: find system partition and not OS partition for MBR
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Complete looping through each partition

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ----Search target partition option #1: try existing WinRE partition

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ----Search target partition option #2: try first recovery partition

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ----Search target partition option #3: try system partition for MBR

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements Partition details: {Offset: 1048576, Free space: 541589504, Total space: 575664128}
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements WinRE WIM size: 443717121
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements Required free space: 831690241
 10:40:08, Warning     [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements Not enough free space req = 831690241 avail = 541589504 offset = 1048576

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ----Search target partition option #4: try new recovery partition if allowed

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ----Search target partition option #5: try target OS partition

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements Partition details: {Offset: 576716800, Free space: 300220190720, Total space: 511531372544}
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements WinRE WIM size: 443717121
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] MeetPartitionRequirements Required free space: 52428800
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Found target partition: use target OS partition, offset: 576716800
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit FindTargetPartition returns with status code: 0x0

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] --Install on target OS step 5: set WinRE settings and restore system to a good state when hitting any errors
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter SetWinRESettings
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] RegLoadKey $OFFLINE$SYSTEM failed. Error: 0x522.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Copying WinRE from C:\Windows\system32\Recovery to staging location on \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] RegLoadKey $OFFLINE$SYSTEM failed. Error: 0x522.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Copied WinRE to staging location
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Creating BCD entry
 10:40:08, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdGetElementData failed: 0xc0000225
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] WinRE created BCD entry: : {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000} 
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Moving Winre and boot.sdi from staging location to target
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Moved Winre and boot.sdi from staging location to target
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Updating reagent.xml
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Set WinRE location path to: \Recovery\WindowsRE
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Set recovery guid
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Set scheduled operation: WinReNoOperation
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Set OS build version: 17763.1.amd64fre.rs5_release.180914-1434
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Set Wimboot state: 0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Set install state to: enabled
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Setting the recovery sequence for the target OS.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Machine firmware is not EFI, nothing to do
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Creating backup of reagent.xml
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Created backup of reagent.xml
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Configuring the WinRE validation task.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Failed to clear WIM file trusted state: 0x2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Failed to clear WIM file hash: 0x2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Update enhanced config info is enabled.
 10:40:08, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ReAgentConfig::ReadBcdAndUpdateEnhancedConfigInfo WinRE disabled, WinRE Guid could not be determined  (0x2) 
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Failed to find winre.wim because WinRE is not installed.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] WinReValidateRecoveryWimInternal took 16 ms.
 10:40:08, Warning     [ReAgentc] WinReValidateRecoveryWimInternal failed: 0x490
 10:40:08, Warning     [ReAgentc] winreConfigureValidationTask failed: 0x490, a non critical error
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Completed the WinRE validation task.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Creating backup of customization file
 10:40:08, Warning     [ReAgentc] Recovery file not found at C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\ReCustomization.xml
 10:40:08, Warning     [ReAgentc] winreBackupRecoveryFile (C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\ReCustomization.xml, ReCustomization.xml) failed, Err: 2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Created backup of customization file
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] SetWinRESettings return with error code 0x0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] WinReInstallOnTargetOSInternal WinRE installation completed successfully.
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinReInstall return value: 1, last error: 0x0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinReSetConfig
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameters: configWinDir: NULL
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Update enhanced config info is enabled.
 10:40:08, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ReAgentConfig::ReadBcdAndUpdateEnhancedConfigInfo WinRE disabled, WinRE Guid could not be determined  (0x2) 
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] WinRE is not installed, nothing to back up
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinReSetConfig return value: 1, last error: 0x0
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] Clear non critical error when enabling auto repair

 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Exiting command line: reagentc  /enable, Error: 0-----
 10:40:08, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------

 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Executing command line: reagentc  /info-----
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Enter WinReGetConfig
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Parameters: configWinDir: NULL
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] WinRE config file path: C:\Windows\system32\Recovery\ReAgent.xml
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Update enhanced config info is enabled.
 10:42:05, Error       [ReAgentc] BcdOpenObject(WinRE) failed: 0xc0000034
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] winreGetWinReGuid returning 0X2
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ReAgentConfig::ReadBcdAndUpdateEnhancedConfigInfo WinRE disabled, WinRE Guid could not be determined  (0x2) 
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] System is WimBoot: FALSE
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] Exit WinReGetConfig return value: 1, last error: 0x0

 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] -----Exiting command line: reagentc  /info, Error: 0-----
 10:42:05, Info        [ReAgentc] ------------------------------------------------------
JW0914
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Andy Lopez
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2 Answers2

8

The solution is to use /OSguid for the Windows Boot Loader with Windows Boot Manager, not the Windows Recovery Environment or Windows Resume Application:

ReAgentc /Enable /OSguid {GUID}
  • Your GUID is listed as {current}, so run the following, which will give you the GUID, and you should be fine to enable it: 
    BCDedit /V /Enum all
JW0914
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Gregory Morse
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  • What GUID from BCDEDIT output to use? There are many of these, which one from what section, precisely? – unibasil Aug 24 '20 at 10:17
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    The GUID corresponding to the {current} one when not using the Verbose option or perhaps the GUID corresponding to the "default" entry in the Windows Boot Manager. It really depends why you have multiple entries (stale, dual boot, recovery, etc) so there is no simple answer for complicated cases. For "normal" cases likely what I just mentioned should be enough. – Gregory Morse Oct 24 '20 at 16:21
  • Then you shouldn't write {current} like it's an entry labeled exactly this way. – TJJ Apr 17 '21 at 14:07
  • @GregoryMorse The only time `/OSguid` would be used is from within WinPE [only](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/reagentc-command-line-options#reagentc-commands) _(when booted to Windows, `ReAgentC` by default applies WinRE to the current OS GUID)_. The OP's issue is as a result of specifying the incorrect location for the `WinRE.wim`, as the default location on Windows 10 is `\\WinRE_partition\Recovery\WindowsRE` if UEFI; if BIOS, **and** it was an upgrade _(or any OS – JW0914 Apr 18 '21 at 15:02
4

WinRE should not be stored on the system partition or the boot partition [BIOS], as it prevents booting to recovery should an issue with either partition occur

The default winre.wim location is NOT %WinDir%\system32\Recovery:

  • BIOS: (WinRE should be on it's own partition - only Windows 10 clean installs do so)
    • Windows ≥10: \\WinRE_partition\Recovery\WindowsRE
      (Upgrade: C:\Recovery\WindowsRE)
    • Windows ≤8.1: C:\Recovery\WindowsRE
  • UEFI: \\WinRE_partition\Recovery\WindowsRE

To Resolve, either #2 or #3: (ReAgentc)

  1. Open an Admin Terminal: WinKey+R → Open: powershell → CTRL+SHIFT+OK
  2. Ensure winre.wim is within C:\Recovery\WindowsRE and set correct path: 
    ReAgentc /Disable ; ReAgentC /SetREimage /Path "C:\Recovery\WindowsRE" ; ReAgentc /Enable ; ReAgentc /Info

    -- OR --

  3. Move WinRE to its own partition:
    1. Backup current winre.wim:
      1. Verify if C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\WinRE.wim exists: 
        Ls "C:\Windows\System32\Recovery" | FindStr /I "WinRE.wim" ; ls "C:\Windows\System32\Recovery" -Hidden | FindStr /I "WinRE.wim"
      2. If it doesn't: 
        Xcopy /H "C:\Recovery\WindowsRE\WinRE.wim" "C:\Windows\System32\Recovery"
        • BIOS: May store WinRE on Boot partition: Mount Boot at Y: → Update WIM path

    2. Create a 650MB WinRE partition: WinKey+R → Open: DiskPart → OK 
      ::# WinRE partition should have ~300MB free for future winre.wim size increases

::# Select OS partition: 
sel vol c

::# Shrink partition by 665MB [RAW]:
shrink desired=665 minimum=650

::# Create WinRE partition:

  ::# BIOS:
  cre par pri size=665 id=27

  ::# UEFI:
  cre par pri size=665 id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac
  gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001

::# Format partition:
format fs=ntfs quick label=WinRE

::# Mount partition:
assign letter=z

exit

    3. Disable WinRE, set custom location of winre.wim, and re-enable WinRE: 
      # Copy WinRE.wim:
  MkDir "Z:\Recovery\WindowsRE" ; Xcopy /H "C:\Recovery\WindowsRE\WinRE.wim" "Z:\Recovery\WindowsRE"

# Disable WinRE:
  ReAgentC /Disable

# Set Custom WinRE Path:
  ReAgentC /SetREimage /Path "Z:\Recovery\WindowsRE"

# Enable WinRE:
  ReAgentC /Enable

# Verify:
  ReAgentC /Info

# Remove WinRE mount point:
  DiskPart
    sel vol z
    remove
    exit

To address a factually inaccurate misunderstanding that resulted in a downvote:

  • This answer, nor the OP's question, has anything to do with the BCD store:
    OP's issue is the default winre.wim location is not %WinDir%\system32\Recovery

  • WinRE doesn't rely on the BCD store:
    to verify there is no difference in the BCD Store beyond recoveryenabled

    (WinRE can be added to the BCD Store, but doing so becomes a dual-boot scenario) 
    PS $ ReAgentC /Info ; BcdEdit /Enum ; ReAgentC /Disable ; ReAgentC /Info ; BcdEdit /Enum ; ReAgentC /Enable ; ReAgentC /Info ; BcdEdit /Enum

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
  Information:

    Windows RE status:                  Enabled
    Windows RE location:                \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk2\partition1\Recovery\WindowsRE
    Boot Configuration Data identifier: 55541c31-9fa7-11eb-9281-8086f283f968
    Recovery image location:
    Recovery image index:               0
    Custom image location:
    Custom image index:                 0

  REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Windows Boot Manager
  --------------------
  identifier              {bootmgr}
  device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume8
  path                    \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
  description             Windows Boot Manager
  locale                  en-US
  inherit                 {globalsettings}
  default                 {current}
  resumeobject            {e335a64a-37dc-11eb-bd2a-85edee9cbf64}
  displayorder            {current}
  toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
  timeout                 30

  Windows Boot Loader
  -------------------
  identifier              {current}
  device                  partition=C:
  path                    \Windows\system32\winload.efi
  description             Windows 10
  locale                  en-US
  inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
  recoverysequence        {55541c31-9fa7-11eb-9281-8086f283f968}
  displaymessageoverride  CommandPrompt
  recoveryenabled         Yes
  isolatedcontext         Yes
  allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
  osdevice                partition=C:
  systemroot              \Windows
  resumeobject            {e335a64a-37dc-11eb-bd2a-85edee9cbf64}
  nx                      OptIn
  bootmenupolicy          Standard
  hypervisorlaunchtype    Auto

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
  Information:

    Windows RE status:                  Disabled
    Windows RE location:
    Boot Configuration Data identifier: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
    Recovery image location:
    Recovery image index:               0
    Custom image location:
    Custom image index:                 0

  REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Windows Boot Manager
  --------------------
  identifier              {bootmgr}
  device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume8
  path                    \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
  description             Windows Boot Manager
  locale                  en-US
  inherit                 {globalsettings}
  default                 {current}
  resumeobject            {e335a64a-37dc-11eb-bd2a-85edee9cbf64}
  displayorder            {current}
  toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
  timeout                 30

  Windows Boot Loader
  -------------------
  identifier              {current}
  device                  partition=C:
  path                    \Windows\system32\winload.efi
  description             Windows 10
  locale                  en-US
  inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
  displaymessageoverride  CommandPrompt
  recoveryenabled         No
  isolatedcontext         Yes
  allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
  osdevice                partition=C:
  systemroot              \Windows
  resumeobject            {e335a64a-37dc-11eb-bd2a-85edee9cbf64}
  nx                      OptIn
  bootmenupolicy          Standard
  hypervisorlaunchtype    Auto

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configuration
  Information:

    Windows RE status:                  Enabled
    Windows RE location:                \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk2\partition1\Recovery\WindowsRE
    Boot Configuration Data identifier: 55541c33-9fa7-11eb-9281-8086f283f968
    Recovery image location:
    Recovery image index:               0
    Custom image location:
    Custom image index:                 0

  REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Windows Boot Manager
  --------------------
  identifier              {bootmgr}
  device                  partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume8
  path                    \EFI\Microsoft\Boot\bootmgfw.efi
  description             Windows Boot Manager
  locale                  en-US
  inherit                 {globalsettings}
  default                 {current}
  resumeobject            {e335a64a-37dc-11eb-bd2a-85edee9cbf64}
  displayorder            {current}
  toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
  timeout                 30

  Windows Boot Loader
  -------------------
  identifier              {current}
  device                  partition=C:
  path                    \Windows\system32\winload.efi
  description             Windows 10
  locale                  en-US
  inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
  recoverysequence        {55541c33-9fa7-11eb-9281-8086f283f968}
  displaymessageoverride  CommandPrompt
  recoveryenabled         Yes
  isolatedcontext         Yes
  allowedinmemorysettings 0x15000075
  osdevice                partition=C:
  systemroot              \Windows
  resumeobject            {e335a64a-37dc-11eb-bd2a-85edee9cbf64}
  nx                      OptIn
  bootmenupolicy          Standard
  hypervisorlaunchtype    Auto
JW0914
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  • Hi I am having a similar issue. And I have a dual booted system. Does this also apply to it. As it's setup my Windows 10 dual boot is on the same SSD along with my System boot partition @JW0914 – edo101 Jan 12 '21 at 16:24
  • @edo101 Yes, it applies to all Windows installs that use a [BCD Store](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/bcd-system-store-settings-for-uefi) for booting. – JW0914 Jan 13 '21 at 13:33
  • Yes, we know this, but this won't solve the BCD problem. – TJJ Apr 17 '21 at 14:08
  • i followed your recipe but did not work later when enabling (i could not remember the error message). later found this more precise command which worked on my win10: reagentc /setreimage /path Z:\Recovery\WindowsRE /target C:\Windows – Max Jul 03 '23 at 20:41
  • @Max The [`/target`](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/reagentc-command-line-options?view=windows-11#setreimage-syntax) option is only used when enabling WinRE on an install not currently booted to _(e.g. if you were booted to WinPE/WinRE, `/target` would need to be specified, but not if you're booted to the same OS its being enabled on)_. Without logs, troubleshooting isn't possible, but if you run into the issue again, please copy all terminal content, as well as any log output to [PasteBin](https://pastebin.com/) and share the link =] – JW0914 Jul 10 '23 at 21:07