Learn how to create installation media for installing or reinstalling Windows.

Creating a recovery media is a proactive measure to ensure that you can quickly and efficiently restore your system in case of major issues such as hardware failure. This media can be used for bare metal recovery on the device it was created for, ensuring a smooth and efficient restoration process.

If your PC doesn't start and you don't have a recovery drive or a repair disc, you can use the Media Creation Tool to create installation media for Windows. This tool can be used to download the latest version of Windows and create a bootable USB drive or DVD, which can then be used to perform a clean installation of Windows.

Go to Control Panel > Backup and Restore > Create a system repair disc. You will need a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space to create the recovery media. For more information, see how to create a recovery drive. Can I recover my files if I choose to Reset or Reinstall Windows?

When critical Windows system files are missing or corrupted, your operating system may begin to malfunction. Common symptoms include Windows features not working properly, system errors, or Windows becoming unresponsive or freezing.

Make sure AutoPlay is turned On. You can also choose AutoPlay defaults for removable drives and memory cards. Alternatively, if installation doesn't start automatically, browse the disc to find the program setup file, usually called Setup.exe or Install.exe. Open the file to start installation.

Learn how to optimize system performance by managing startup applications in Windows.

Learn how to get older apps or programs to run on Windows 10 or Windows 11 by adjusting compatibility settings.

In Windows 11 22H2, the default app used to host console windows has been changed to Windows Terminal. After the October 2022 update, Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and other console apps will appear inside an instance of Windows Terminal.

Choose the account you want to sign in with. From the internet: You should download and install programs only from trusted publishers and retail websites. In your web browser, select the link to the program. Select Save or Save as to download the program.