How to replace Vista recovery partition

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  1. Posts : 304
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #1

    How to replace Vista recovery partition


    I upgraded my Asus Vista laptop to windows 7. I have completely removed Windows Vista from my system except for the Vista recovery partition (restores the computer to factory settings) which still remains. So when Ii needed to use the recovery partition it installed Vista back on my computer and I needed to install Windows 7 all over again. Is there any way to replace the Vista recovery partition with a new Windows 7 recovery partition? So if i need to use the recovery partition my computer installs windows 7 not Vindow Vista.

    The Vista recovery Partition is hidden on my computer.

    For my comp info just check my system specs.

    Admins, feel free to move the post if i have posted it in the wrong section.

    Thanks, Simon
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  2.    #2

    Hi Simon-

    Make your Vista recovery disks so you have a path back to factory condition in case you want to sell the computer but keep Win7.

    Next boot the Win7 DVD, press Shift F10 to open a Command Line, type:

    DISKPART
    LIST DISK
    SELECT DISK 0 (confirm this is target HD #)
    CLEAN ALL (applies zeroes for deepest clean, takes awhile)
    EXIT

    Now boot back into Win7 installer to Custom install using Drive tools to create New partition(s) as you wish, format before installing to first partition.

    There is no need to create a Win7 Recovery Partition on the same HD as they do at factory since with built-in Win7 backup imaging you can save an image of your finished install externally so that it will be useable if the HD fails.
    Last edited by gregrocker; 05 Apr 2011 at 11:07.
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  3. Posts : 340
    windows 7
       #3

    I deleted my recovery partition as i thought it had bad virus on it. But if I reinstall vista it comes back but when I got to do a clean install of windows 7 there is only the 100Meg partition and my c\drive listed I take it the above won't work for me or will it?
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  4.    #4

    Hi again Holly -

    It sounds like you made your Vista Recovery Disks which will restore your HD to the exact condition as when it left the factory - including the Recovery Partition.

    You can use these disks to recover to Vista if you decide to move your retail Win7 to another computer.

    You can also use a Vista retail installer to reinstall the licensed Vista version on that computer, activating with the Product Key on COA sticker.

    There is no need to keep the Vista Recovery Partition on the HD when you install Win7 as it can no longer run from Windows and might not run from boot (although you can test cueing it up), plus you have the disks. Better to rely on a Win7 Backup image saved externally for a safer Recovery method which can be used if the HD fails.
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  5. Posts : 340
    windows 7
       #5

    That's what i want is a recovery partition to load windows 7. Sorry if I got you confused mate what i meant was when i do a clean install of windows 7 there is no recovery partition and i would like a recovery partition that boots windows 7.
    Now what I think you are saying is to copy the recovery partition onto external hard drive does that not render the hard drive useless for any other back ups etc. that are on the external hard drive.
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  6. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #6

    You could make a partition for a backup image using:
    System Image Recovery
    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    Restore Backup User and System Files
    But best done on a external hard drive.
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  7.    #7

    Recovery partitions are preinstalled at the factory as a way to restore the HD to factory condition. They are not custom installed with the Win7 OS, and there is no point in trying to create one by storing a Win7 backup image there because it is safest stored on an external or another HD so that it will be available if the HD dies.

    There is no easy method I know of to create a bootable Win7 Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup - Windows 7 Forumsrecovery partition like the factory installs, but once again there is no point in going to the trouble because with Win7 backup imaging you can use System Recovery Options to reimage your HD or its replacement in 20 minutes from an externally stored image.

    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    System Image Recovery - Windows 7 Forums
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  8. Posts : 3,427
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    gregrocker said:
    There is no easy method I know of to create a bootable Win7 recovery partition like the factory installs,
    There's always this: Recovery Partition - Create

    It's not exactly the same, in that it's a "Dual Boot" rather than pressing a specific key, but it functions the same way.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 340
    windows 7
       #9

    theog said:
    You could make a partition for a backup image using:
    System Image Recovery
    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    Restore Backup User and System Files
    But best done on a external hard drive.
    Hi again I have just reinstalled windows 7 I tried to get computer back to factory image on dell but F8 and in advanced recovery there was no repair the computer. I was doing so as I had changed the DVD region stupid me and I thought I would have no problem at all installing windows 7 as I had backed everything up on my computer to external hard drive But when i went to restore computer and all files in this folder it did it but none of my programs worked is it the case that you need to reinstall everything from dvd again? Sorry if this is a stupid question but it's the first time I have ever done it.
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Did you reinstall Win7 from DVD? This is a clean install which does not save the factory preinstalled programs and Dell utilities, but reinstalls only Win7. It's a much cleaner install which should give you better performance from Win7.

    Be sure to enable hardware auto-updating then check optional Windows Updates for any newer drivers: Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware

    Then any drivers missing in the Device Manager can be found on the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number on sticker. There might also be some favorite apps there to download. If you're still missing apps you need, let us know what they are and we can help you further. Driver Install - Device Manager - Windows 7 Forums

    If you didn't want to clean reinstall Win7 but instead restore to factory condition with all the preinstalled programs and Dell utilities, you needed to run the Recovery Disks which can be made off of the Recovery Partition, or run the Recovery Partition from boot following the steps given in the Manual on the model's Support Downloads webpage. These disks can also be ordered from Dell.

    Here are tips for getting a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Clean Reinstall steps
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