how to partition HDD like retail PC's

bassfisher6522 · 30 Jan 2012

Like the thread title says, how do I partition the HDD like retail PC's to where that partition has the hidden recovery OS on it. If the big branded companies can do it why can't us little guys.

essenbe · 30 Jan 2012

You may consider something like - Recovery Partition Create.

emaraszek · 30 Jan 2012

You can do it, you just need a Windows 7 disc. Basically you copy the winre.wim image off the disc and onto the partition, use the command line to point the recover environment to it and even set a boot key. I've done it on quite a few machines at work, I'll post the steps I use once I find them

bassfisher6522 · 30 Jan 2012

Thanks guys....

gregrocker · 30 Jan 2012

It's more practical to save a backup image externally so that it can be easily reimaged if your HD fails.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery
Macrium - Image your system

emaraszek · 30 Jan 2012

I just published a tutorial on the process, here's the link:

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ml#post1772104

alphanumeric · 30 Jan 2012

Emaraszek, nice tutorial, but what exactly happens when you launch this recovery option? It sounds like this is an option to repair your install without having to actually boot from your Windows 7 DVD. I was thinking the OP was asking how to create a system recovery partition. The equivalent to OEM recovery partition that restores the factory image.

gregrocker · 30 Jan 2012

emaraszek said:

I just published a tutorial on the process, here's the link:

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ml#post1772104

Is this not already on the F8 Advanced Boot Options on most preinstalled and retail Win7 installs?

However there is another thread today where OP is asking how to move WinRe to System Reserved and make it bootable. Perhaps this can be adapted.

emaraszek · 30 Jan 2012

Well by definition a recovery partition is what my tutorial shows how to create. If the OP is looking for an image recovery they can simply elect to restore from a system image while using the recovery environment, however they will need to take a recovery image first.

emaraszek · 30 Jan 2012

gregrocker said:

emaraszek said:

I just published a tutorial on the process, here's the link:

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ml#post1772104

Is this not already on the F8 Advanced Boot Options on most preinstalled and retail Win7 installs?

However there is another thread today where OP is asking how to move WinRe to System Reserved and make it bootable. Perhaps this can be adapted.

The purpose of this tutorial is to create a recovery partition on a computer after a reinstall of the OS. I originally looked into doing this for several re-imaged computers at work, like I said in a previous post.