Create the USB recovery drive
If you are on Surface Hub 2, see Reset and recovery for Surface Hub 2S.
If you are on Surface Duo, see Recover Surface Duo if it won't start.
If you are on other Surface devices, here’s how to create the USB recovery drive:
Important: Creating a recovery drive will erase everything that’s stored on your USB drive. Make sure you're using a blank USB drive, or be sure to transfer any important data on your USB drive to another storage device before using it to create a recovery drive.
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Make sure the PC you downloaded the recovery image to is turned on and plugged in, then insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port. (Use a USB 3.0 drive if you can.)
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In the search box on the taskbar, enter recovery drive, then select Create a recovery drive or Recovery Drive from the results. You might be asked to enter an admin password or confirm your choice.
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In the User Account Control box, select Yes.
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Make sure to clear the Back up system files to the recovery drive check box and then select Next.
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Select your USB drive, and then select Next > Create. Some utilities need to be copied to the recovery drive, so this might take a few minutes.
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When the recovery drive is ready, select Finish.
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Double-click the recovery image .zip file that you previously downloaded to open it.
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Select all the files from the recovery image folder, copy them to the USB recovery drive you created, and then select Choose to replace the files in the destination.
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Once the files have finished copying, select the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon on the taskbar, and remove your USB.
For more info on how to use the image, see Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface.
