Where can I download a rescue disk for Windows 8?

Question

Where can I download a rescue disk for Windows 8? I have paid for Windows 8, but I would like to be able to download a Windows 8 repair disk using my product key. Is this possible?

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 05 '13 at 18:04

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Start the Control panel, and click on the System and Security icon (if you use category view - click Recovery in icons view). Then click on Action Center. Scroll down to the Maintenance category and select Recovery. Click on "Create a recovery drive", and follow the prompts.

answered Jan 05 '13 at 18:04

ChrisN

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Too late now. The computer I am referring to needs a recovery disk already (I have only had it for 2(?) days). I *may* see if the warranty/guarantee covers reinstalling/repairing the OS, but that is a 45min drive to the store I bought it at. – BenjiWiebe Jan 05 '13 at 18:06
You can make a repair disk on another computer if you have access to one. Just make sure it's created with the same OS (32 bit or 64 bit) – ChrisN Jan 05 '13 at 18:13
OK, I think a friend of mine has a 64-bit Windows 8 computer. I will look into that. Thanks. – BenjiWiebe Jan 05 '13 at 18:21
This would be the correct answer... I returned the laptop, though, for several reasons. – BenjiWiebe Jan 11 '13 at 03:33

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 05 '13 at 19:50

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If you want to repair your Windows 8 you can use the "reset" option in the start up repair help menu.

If you cannot get into the Desktop try this method to get to the reset/refresh screen manually. I think the article is asking you to hold down Shift while hitting power button.

Please read through: How To Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8

edited Jan 05 '13 at 19:50

slhck

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answered Jan 05 '13 at 18:03

superuser666

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That won't work if you can not get to the start up repair menu (I can't). – BenjiWiebe Jan 05 '13 at 18:04
Consult this link and it should help you reset or refresh your windows 8 ( reset and refresh are two different options, one deletes files another doesnt ) http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-refresh-or-reset-your-windows-8-pc-complete-guide/ – superuser666 Jan 05 '13 at 19:14
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Please don't post two separate answers. You can always [edit] your existing posts to add information. – slhck Jan 05 '13 at 19:51
I don't think this will work. Maybe I should tell you *why* I need a rescue disk. I installed Fedora 17, and I used `grub` as the bootloader. So... Now when I boot Windows 8, I get an error from Windows Boot Manager, something about missing boot data. – BenjiWiebe Jan 05 '13 at 20:59
This worked for me even though the start-up repair menu was not coming up naturally. – David May 17 '13 at 02:08

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 20 '13 at 04:16

A recovery CD for Windows 8 designed to find and repair many common problems is available for download from NeoSmart Technologies, in the form of an ISO image.

I realize this question has been answered for some time, but seeing as the accepted answer is actually on how to create a Windows 8 recovery CD from a working PC and may not be a valid option for people whose computers aren't working/booting, this is another option that some may find useful.

Full disclosure: I'm part of the team that developed the recovery CD.

Full Full Disclosure, this costs money. – pathfinder Feb 07 '16 at 18:33 — pathfinder, Feb 07 '16 at 18:33

Where can I download a rescue disk for Windows 8?

3 Answers3