Windows 10: Create recovery drive process is not finding USB thumb drive

I'm attempting to create a recovery drive, following the instructions here. This process has worked fine until my most recent attempt earlier this week.If I leave the 'Back up system files to the recovery drive' box checked, the process does not detect my thumb drive, only my external hard drives that I use for other things. I've tried detaching those, and the thumb drive still does not get detected.If I deselect the Back up system files to the recovery drive box, the thumb drive will show up, but the system files don't get backed up.This happens with two different thumb drives, both of them 1

:)

 

Win 10 Create Recovery Drive process fails to find thumb drive

After formatting a 4GB thumb drive and launching the Create Recovery Drive process via the Win 10 Control Panel Recovery option, it fails to list an available drive. Instead, it cranks for about 30 seconds and comes back with,

We can't create the recovery drive

A problem occurred while creating the recovery drive.

I've tried plugging the USB drive into both a 2.0 and 3.0 USB port: No difference.

I've tried inserting a fresh disc into my DVD drive: No luck there either.

I've created a Win 10 ISO file and re-installed the OS: No help.

Running out of ideas...

 

Create a Recovery Drive?

Hi Kaspaz,

Let us first check the recovery drive creation process that you have done. Below is a step by step process of creating a recovery drive:

• From the taskbar, search for Create a recovery drive and then select it. You might be asked to enter an admin password or confirm your choice.
• When the tool opens, make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive
  is selected and then select Next.
• Connect a USB drive to your PC, select it, and then select Next > Create.
  A lot of files need to be copied to the recovery drive, so this might take a while.
• When it’s done, you might see a Delete the recovery partition from your PC
  link on the final screen. If you want to free up drive space on your PC, select the link and then select
  Delete. If not, select Finish.

If you have done the same steps above and the rest of your file is still not showing.
Please post back some details:

• Which drive are you referring to?
• Can you send us a screenshot of what you are seeing?
• Besides creating a recovery drive, have you done any other changes on your computer?
• What is the make and model of your USB hard drive device?
• Have you tried plugging it on another port?
• What is the current version and build number of your Windows 10 Computer? To know these details, follow the steps below:
  • Select the Start button.
  • Type About your PC.
  • Press Enter to find out the version and build number of your Windows 10 PC.

Let us know the result after performing the troubleshooting steps and if your concern was left unresolved, kindly get back to us with the answers to our inquiry, so that we can assist you further.

 

Windows 10-64 CREATE RECOVERY DRIVE can't find a USB drive

Hi Joe,

Thank you for posting in Community.

We understand your concern and we will provide the assistance required to resolve the issue.

Before we proceed, I would like you to provide the information stated below:

1. How do you know that the USB is not detected while creating the Recovery Drive?

2. Did you receive the prompt to Connect a USB flash drive, during the process of creating the drive?

3. Did you receive any error stating that the USB is not available?

I would like to suggest that you follow the steps below and check if you are able to create thr Recovery Drive successfully.

1. Open Control Panel, and the select File History.

2. On the left bottom corner of the Windows locate Recovery.

3. Then click on Create Recovery, follow the process.

4. Then when you see the prompt Connect a USB flash drive, insert the drive and heck if you are able to proceed.

Hope this information helps