Overview: Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) can repair common causes of the operating system failing to start. Built upon the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE), WinRE can be customized with additional drivers, languages, Windows PE optional components, and other troubleshooting and diagnostic tools. By default, WinRE is preloaded onto installations of Windows 10 and Windows 11 Desktop Editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education) as well as Windows Server 2016 and later versions.
New Features in WinRE for Windows 11:
Most tools can now run in WinRE without the need to select an administrator account and input a password. Upon booting into the recovery environment, encrypted files are inaccessible unless the user possesses the decryption key.
We have updated the behavior of Advanced Startup (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup: Restart now), so that ease of access features will run in the recovery environment. Previously, if narrator features were enabled before booting into advanced startup, they wouldn't activate (and couldn't be activated) upon restart. Now, advanced startup directly boots into the Windows Recovery Environment, where users can utilize ease of access features using keyboard shortcuts.
I. WinRE includes the following tools:
• Auto Repair and other troubleshooting tools. For more information, see Windows RE Troubleshooting Features.
• Push-Button Reset (Windows Desktop Edition only) This tool allows users to quickly repair their own computers while preserving data and important customizations without having to back up their data in advance. For more information, see Push-Button Reset Overview.
• System Image Recovery (Windows Server version only) This tool restores the entire hard disk. For more information, see Recover the Operating System or Full Server.
WinRE is mainly used for the following purposes:
1-1, You can perform system restore, system image recovery, boot repair and other operations very easily;
1-2, Recover an inoperable computer without losing photos, music, videos and other personal files;
1-3, reset the system, i.e., initialize the system to factory settings (not a reinstallation of the system, but the effect is equivalent to a reinstallation of the system, which will erase all files and settings from the previous system);
1-4, uninstalling update patches that cause the system to crash.
Methods to Access WinRE:
To access WinRE when the operating system desktop can be accessed:
2-1. Users can access WinRE functionality through the "Advanced Startup" menu. This menu can be accessed in several ways within Windows:
2-2. Click on "Shut down" on the login screen, then select "Restart" while holding down the Shift key.
2-3. Click on "Start" > "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery" > Under "Advanced startup," click "Restart now." Upon restart, enter the recovery media.
Methods to access WinRE when the operating system desktop cannot be accessed:
2-4. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to shut down your device.
2-5. Press the power button again to turn on the device.
2-6. When you see Windows starting (for example, if your device displays the Windows logo during startup), immediately press the power button for 10 seconds to shut down your device or directly unplug the power adapter from the PC.
2-7. Press the power button again to turn on the device.
2-8. During Windows startup, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to shut down your device or directly unplug the power adapter from the PC.
2-9. Press the power button again to boot up. The system will enter the Automatic Repair page, where you can select "Advanced options" to enter WinRE.
Restoring the System in WinRE:
After entering the WinRE menu, follow these steps:
3-1. Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files > Local reinstall > Local reinstall > Wait for the system deployment to complete, then click Reset. The system will automatically restore and install. After the restoration is complete, it will automatically enter the system desktop.
Note: Do not interrupt the restoration process.
This operation will delete third-party applications installed on the system and reset all system settings but will not affect your personal photos, videos, and files.
3-2. The following is a screenshot of the restore process, which usually takes about 30 minutes, depending on the hardware configuration.
