How to Create a Windows 7 System Recovery Disc

Create a Windows 7 repair disc and save it for an emergency.

Windows 7 provides support for creating a system repair disc that you can use to recover from a major operating system crash. The same features are included on the Windows 7 installation CD, but if you’ve lost this disc or it is damaged, you will need a repair disc to access the Windows 7 recovery features if your system malfunctions or becomes unbootable.

Things You'll Need

• Windows 7

Instructions

1. Click the Windows “Start” button and select “Control Panel” from the menu. Click “System and Security,” then select “Backup and Restore.”

2. Click "Create a System Repair Disc." If you have more than one optical drive installed on your PC, choose your preferred CD/DVD burner from the drop-down menu. Place a blank CD or DVD in the drive tray and click "Create disc." A progress bar displays on the screen.

3. Click “OK” when Windows reports that the process is complete. Creating the recovery disc should only take a few minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Label your system repair disc and put it in a safe place.

• If you travel frequently, it's a good idea to pack a repair disc in your laptop bag. If you run into major computer issues on the road, your recovery disc will help save the day.

• The system repair disc requires only 140MB of space, so a CD will work fine. You can use a DVD if you don’t have a blank CD handy.

References

• Microsoft: Create a System Repair Disc
• SearchDataBackup.com: Creating a System Recovery Disk in Windows 7

Resources

• Microsoft: What Are the System Recovery Options in Windows 7?