Windows 10: Idiots decided to format my 5TB backup drive to use as a Windows Recovery USB ?? You had...

There are two USB devices plugged in, on "Black Tuesday" the 2nd Tuesday of the November 2024 auto-update daytwo problems:1. I never tried to make any recovery medium 2. I was not even here.You nuked my whole 5TB drive, and also split it into two partitions, one of which cannot be formatted. Then installed the ESD-USB recovery image to the first partition.Please fix your product.now please copy paste a useless article at me or blame me - when this was done without permission and automatically.Thanks so much.

:)

 

Recovery drive from USB

Hello,teddyboyfromoz

Thanks for raising your concerns in Microsoft Community.

Creating a recovery drive on a USB can be a helpful step to have a backup option in case of emergencies or system failures. Let's address your concerns:

• Warning about erasing files:
  
  

When you create a recovery drive using the method you described, the USB drive will indeed be formatted, erasing all the existing files on it. The warning is there to inform you about this fact. However, this process only affects the USB drive you selected for creating the recovery drive, not your internal drive or any other external drives. So, if you have any important files on the USB drive, make sure to back them up to another location before proceeding with the recovery drive creation.

• Risk of data loss due to USB failure:
  
  

If the USB drive you used to create the recovery drive fails, it might prevent you from using the recovery drive to restore your system in the future. However, it does not mean that your files are erased forever from your computer's internal drive or your external Seagate backup drive. The recovery drive is just an additional option to help you repair or reinstall Windows in case of major system issues.



To ensure better data redundancy and protection against a single point of failure, it's recommended to have multiple backup options. In your case, you already have an external backup drive (Seagate), which is a great step for safeguarding your important files.



In summary, creating a recovery drive won't affect your internal drive or Seagate external backup drive. It only formats the USB drive selected for the recovery drive creation. If the USB drive fails in the future, you can still rely on your Seagate backup to restore your important files.

Hope it helps! If any update, welcome to share with us.

Best regards,



Chandy |Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Recovery drive from USB

Hi Chandy,

Thank You for your reply and assistance.

Your explanation was perfect, I understood what you weer informing me of, and the way you have done this makes it easy for me to understand it. I was worried, but all good now, and at 74 years old, I do try very hard to get to grips with computing.

Again Thank you very much.

Kind regards

 

USB flash drive won't read, wants to format.

What file system did your friend use to format the USB flash drive?
Linux, MAC, Windows, etc.... if, he did the project on a different file format; the system may not think there is anything useful and wants to format it to make usable.
Or, the drive has gotten corrupted (like your friend pulled the drive before it was finished and the file table/partition info/etc. is corrupt).
Static could have gotten it, too.

One of many recovery apps:
USB Flash Drive Data Recovery Software

Google has a sh*t load software to recovery and/or repair usb drives; but, be careful and always scan your downloads with a good a/v package.
usb flash drive recovery software

Just some ideas.*Smile