Windows 10: Windows 10 Recovery Drive & Windows Media Creation Tool: Do I need to keep both?

Some time ago, I dedicated a blank USB stick for creation of Windows 10 installation media, using the Windows Media Creation Too. Just insurance in case a future Reset might not work for whatever reason.


Recently, I used a second blank dedicated USB stick to "Create Recovery Drive". I did this directly out of Windows Settings. Since this new Recovery Drive can be used for installation media as well, do I even need the old stick anymore?


Thanks!

:)

 

Windows 10 USB boot

Hi there, am not a windows 10 expert. I have a pc in the bedroom on windows 10, I messed up the bootloader trying to fix the xp on that system.

System wont boot, trying to repair via win 10 usb installer.

Downloaded the media creation tool to install windows 10 installer on usb stick. Not compatible with a host of usb sticks I have. Tried the usb sticks that others use, but I think they use rufus; as the media creation tool by win 10 does not detect the usb stick.

So quick question, the win10 machine i am trying to repair the bootloader is a win7 upgraded to win10.
If i were to use the usb win10 installer to "repair installation" does the version of the iso downloaded via the media creation tool matter?

There is three options:
Windows 10
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 N

Also is there a step by step instead of using rufus as I want to try an alternative method of creating a usb win 10 installer. Preferably with more compatibility.

System is a asus sabertooth 990 (r2?) with AMD phenom X 6.

Also is there any other software I can load onto the usb that can repair the bootloader easily?
That would be the ideal alternative. Thanks

 

Windows 10 Recovery Media Creation Tool problem

Why would you keep your external drive intended for backup always connected?

As for the USB thumb drive, did you format it before attempting to use the recovery drive wizard?

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/format-local-disks-usb-storage-sd-cards-diskpart-windows-10/

then

• How
  to: Create a Recovery Drive for reinstalling Windows 10

You can also use the Media Creation Tool to create a reinstall USB, does the same thing as a recovery drive.

How
to download official Windows 10 ISO files

 

Creating a Recovery Drive vs using the Media Creation Tool

Hi Peter,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We appreciate your interest in Windows 10.



Refer to the following links on:

Create a USB recovery drive (Applies to Windows 10):

If you run into problems with your PC, a USB recovery drive can help you troubleshoot and fix those problems, even if your PC won't start.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-drive



Installing Windows 10 using the media creation tool:

The media creation tool can be used to upgrade your current PC to Windows 10 or to create a USB or DVD and install
Windows 10 on a different PC.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install



Hope this helps!



Get back to us if you have queries regarding Windows, we will be happy to help you.



Thank you,

Microsoft Community.