Windows 10: What's the difference between recovery drive and media creation tool?

Hello, I'm planning to create a Windows 11 USB for reinstallation and recovery but I need to know the difference between recovery drive and media creation tool, so I know the difference and which one to select.

:)

 

What's the difference Recovery Drive and Media Creation Tool

Can somebody tell me the difference between Recovery Drive and Media Creation Tool?

 

Creating a Recovery Drive vs using the Media Creation Tool

Hi Everyone,

I'm about to perform a clean install of Windows 10 onto a new SSD drive from within the installed free version of Windows 10. I've already prepared my USB drive using the Media Creation Tool and my question is:



What difference is there, if any, between the contents of a USB drive that is prepared using the media Creation Tool versus a USB drive that is prepared by using the "Create a Recovery Drive" option from within the Control Panel?

If there is a difference, which is better?

 

Creating a Recovery Drive vs using the Media Creation Tool

Hi Likhitha,

I still have a question regarding the difference between a USB set up as a recovery drive, versus the USB set up using the Media Creation Tool.

The setup of the USB drive using the Media Creation Tool has the Windows 10 OS on the thumb drive which is used to install windows onto a new HDD or SSD.

If I encounter a problem when doing this, am I to believe I would then have to use a separate Recovery Drive to rectify the problem?

Is the purpose of a USB recovery drive only used to solve a problem that I might encounter with the PC, or,
does it also contain the Windows OS on it?

In other words, does the Recovery Drive have a dual purpose which is to load the new OS while providing the capability of solving a problem should something go wrong, unlike the Media Creation Tool which has only a single purpose which is to install the
new OS and leave you with a problem should something go wrong?

Thank you.

Peter