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Windows PE: Create a Bootable Recovery USB

Guide 10-12490 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to create a Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) bootable USB drive on a Windows PC. Windows PE is a lightweight operating system used to install, deploy, and repair Windows. You’ll end up with a bootable USB that can run recovery tools, access the command prompt, and troubleshoot a PC that won’t start normally.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC (the “host” machine) to build the USB.
  • A USB flash drive with at least 2 GB of free space (8 GB or more is recommended). All data on it will be erased.
  • The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) installed on the host PC. This is a free download from Microsoft.
  • The Windows PE add-on for the ADK, also a free download from Microsoft.
  • Administrator rights on the host PC.

Step-by-Step

  1. Download and install the Windows ADK. Go to the official Microsoft download page for the Windows ADK (search “Windows ADK download”). Download the latest version for your Windows version. Run the installer. You only need to select the Deployment Tools feature—you can uncheck all other features to save space and time.
  2. Download and install the Windows PE add-on. On the same Microsoft page, download the Windows PE add-on that matches the ADK version you just installed. Run the installer and accept the defaults. This adds the Windows PE files to your ADK installation.
  3. Open the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment as Administrator. Click the Start menu, type “Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment,” right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. This opens a command prompt with the tools you need.
  4. Create a working folder. In the command prompt, type the following and press Enter. This creates a folder on your C: drive where the Windows PE files will be staged:
    copype amd64 C:\WinPE_amd64
    If you have a 32-bit PC (rare), replace amd64 with x86.
  5. Insert your USB drive. Plug the USB flash drive into the host PC. Note the drive letter (e.g., E:, F:). Make sure it has no important data because it will be wiped.
  6. Format the USB drive. In the same command prompt, type the following and press Enter (replace E: with your USB drive letter):
    diskpart
    Then type:
    list disk
    Find your USB drive’s disk number (usually the last one, but verify by size). Then type each of these lines, pressing Enter after each:
    select disk 1 (replace 1 with your disk number)
    clean
    create partition primary
    format fs=ntfs quick
    active
    assign letter=E (replace E with your USB letter)
    exit
  7. Copy Windows PE files to the USB. Type the following command and press Enter (replace E: with your USB drive letter):
    MakeWinPEMedia /ISO C:\WinPE_amd64 C:\WinPE.iso
    This creates an ISO file. If you want to copy directly to the USB instead, use this command instead:
    MakeWinPEMedia /USB C:\WinPE_amd64 E:
    The second method is faster and more direct.
  8. Test the USB drive. Restart the PC you want to repair, press the boot menu key (often F12, F9, or Esc, depending on the manufacturer), and select the USB drive. Windows PE should boot to a command prompt. If you see a command prompt, you’re done.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong architecture. Building an x86 (32-bit) Windows PE when your PC is 64-bit will still boot on most 64-bit PCs, but building amd64 and trying to boot an old 32-bit-only PC will fail. Check your PC’s architecture first.
  • Selecting the wrong disk in DiskPart. Running clean on the wrong disk wipes that disk completely. Always double-check the disk number and size before running clean.
  • Forgetting to mark the partition active. If you skip the active step in DiskPart, some PCs will not boot from the USB.
  • Not running the tools as administrator. The Deployment Tools Environment and DiskPart require elevated privileges. If you get “access denied” errors, close and reopen the command prompt as administrator.
  • Using a USB 3.0 drive on a USB 2.0 port. This works but is slow. For best results, plug the USB into a USB 3.0 port (usually blue) if available.

Tips

  • Add your own tools. After building the USB, you can copy portable tools (like disk utilities, password reset tools, or backup software) into the root of the USB. They will appear in the command prompt’s directory listing.
  • Create a custom script. You can create a startnet.cmd file in the Windows\System32 folder on the USB to run commands automatically when Windows PE boots.
  • Keep the ISO. The MakeWinPEMedia /ISO command creates a file you can burn to a DVD or use in a virtual machine for testing.
  • Use the right ADK version. Match the ADK and the Windows PE add-on versions. If they don’t match, the copype command will fail with a missing file error.
  • Test in a VM first. If you have a virtual machine, boot the USB in it to verify it works before using it on a real PC.

Troubleshooting

  • “The parameter is incorrect” when running copype. This usually means the ADK and Windows PE add-on versions don’t match. Reinstall both, making sure they are the same version number.
  • USB won’t boot. Check the BIOS/UEFI boot order. You may need to disable Secure Boot or enable Legacy/CSM boot mode. Also, try a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0 on older PCs).
  • DiskPart says “Access Denied.” You are not running the command prompt as administrator. Close and reopen it with “Run as administrator.”
  • MakeWinPEMedia fails with “The system cannot find the file specified.” The copype command likely failed earlier. Rerun copype and check for error messages. Also, verify the ADK is installed in the default location.
  • Windows PE boots to a blue screen. This is rare but can happen if the architecture is wrong or the USB is corrupted. Rebuild the USB from scratch, and try the other architecture (x86 vs amd64).
  • Command prompt appears but no tools. Windows PE includes only basic tools. If you need more, you must add them manually or use the full ADK tools on the host PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is Windows PE the same as a Windows installation disc? No. Windows PE is a minimal environment for deployment and recovery. It does not include the full Windows interface, and you cannot install Windows from it directly unless you add the installation files yourself.
  2. Can I use Windows PE to reset a forgotten Windows password? Yes, but not with the built-in tools. You can add third-party password reset tools to the USB, or use the command prompt to run net user if you have access to the SAM database, which is complex and often requires additional tools.
  3. How long does the USB take to boot? Typically 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the PC and USB speed. If it takes much longer, the USB may be slow or the PC’s BIOS is having trouble reading it.
  4. Can I create Windows PE on a Mac? No. The tools are Windows-only. You would need a Windows PC or a virtual machine running Windows.
  5. Will Windows PE work on any PC? It works on most PCs that can boot from USB, provided the architecture matches (32-bit vs 64-bit) and the PC is not too old. Very old PCs may not support booting from USB at all.
  6. Can I update the Windows PE version later? Yes. You can rebuild the USB with a newer ADK/Windows PE version. There is no in-place update; just create a new one.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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