Windows 10: Recovery thumb drive doesn't work

I made a recovery thumb drive according to the directions, and it told me that it was finished. I opened it and it has all the recovery and boot files. But when I tested it, nothing happened. I tried removing it and restated, turned off my rig, and replaced the thumb drive. Still nothing happens.

:)

 

No "Safely Remove Hardware Icon" after Win 10 update

I updated my laptop from the original version of Windows 10 to Version 1211 (build 10586.11) and have a strange issue with my USB ports.

The USB 3.0 port works as expected. However, I attempted to create a recovery drive on thumb drive using a USB 2.0 port. The process stalled seeming not to recognize the thumb drive in the USB port. I tried the same thing using the USB 3.0 port and it worked
as expected.

When I plug in a thumb drive into the USB 2.0 port, it is recognized in File Explorer and I can successfully write to and delete files from the drive. However, the thumb drive doesn't appear in the "Safely
Remove Hardware Icon" in the system tray. When I insert or remove the thumb drive, I don't get the "USB connect/disconnect" chime either. The USB 3.0 port works exactly as it should.

As suggested in another forum, I deleted the Intel USB drivers drivers and installed generic drivers but the issue still exists.

Other than creating the recovery drive, the issue doesn't seem to cause any problems but it just doesn't seem right.

Any ideas?

 

recovery thumb drive

The only way then you have is to buy the new HDD, install Windows on it using the USB drive and then later plug in the drive using a USB Adapter if possible to recover data.

 

I had the same issue. It never seemed to work.
Eventually, I gave up on that.
Instead, I do regular system image backup to an external hard drive. Together with creating regular system restore points, I have no problem restoring my system if it is needed.

You will have others recommending Macrium Effect.
Give it a try. Use it if you like it over the built-in system image backup.
Decision is yours to make.

 

There are 2 possible causes here.

Either you made the recovery key wrong (perhaps it was made for for BIOS when you have EFI PC or v.v.) or you don't have your PC set to boot from USB.

I don't know what directions you followed but you could try option 2 here and use Rufus to create the USB key - it is pretty reliable USB Flash Drive - Create to Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

You then need to check in your BIOS that USB is top of your boot list or alternatively search for Windows to Go startup options and set it to Yes. It will then try to boot from any connected USB the next time you restart.