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August 4th, 2025 22:36
Looking to create startup repair disk...
I added a 2nd 1 TB SSD to a OptiPlex Tower 7020 & plan on running the windows backup every night.
After setting up & running the backup, I tried to make a system recovery disk, planning on that being a USB drive. Windows didn't like that & wanted a DVD drive, so I plugged in an external one, planning to create a USB one from that, but then its asking me for the windows installation file, which stopped coming with computers a while ago! I figured I could make the OS recovery USB drive using the Dell OS Recovery tool, but that just quits without any warning or error message before getting through the verifying image stage. Trying the advanced mode, it quits before downloading the image.
anne_droid
3 Apprentice
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1.3K Posts
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August 5th, 2025 09:53
Hi
I have a USB with assorted repair iso's on it...
cachyos-desktop-linux-250530.iso
debian-12.11.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso
gparted-live-1.7.0-8-amd64.iso
HBCD_PE_x64.iso
linuxmint-22.1-cinnamon-64bit.iso
refind-cd-0.14.2.iso
rescuezilla-2.6.1-64bit.oracular.iso
Win11_24H2_EnglishInternational_x64.iso
to cover most eventualities.
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To create a startup repair disk (also called a recovery USB) for a Dell OptiPlex 7020, the recommended method is to use the Dell OS Recovery Tool or Windows tools to make a bootable USB drive with Windows recovery options included. Here are the steps:
Obtain a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB free and back up any data on it, as it will be formatted.
Go to Dell’s official website and download the Dell OS Recovery Tool. This tool allows you to download a recovery image customized for your Dell OptiPlex 7020 and create a bootable USB recovery drive.
Install and run the Dell OS Recovery Tool on a working Windows computer.
Enter your Dell OptiPlex 7020 Service Tag when prompted so the tool fetches the correct recovery image specific to your device.
Follow the tool’s instructions to create the USB recovery media. It will download the necessary Windows operating system files and Dell drivers and copy them to the USB drive in a bootable format.
Once completed, you can use this USB recovery media to boot your Dell OptiPlex 7020 and run startup repair or do a full OS reinstall if needed.
Alternatively, if you just want a general Windows startup repair disk without Dell customizations, you can create a Windows installation USB using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 or 11. Booting from that USB also gives access to Startup Repair in the Windows Recovery Environment.
(edited)
mikey59
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113 Posts
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August 5th, 2025 13:44
I finally got it, apparently there was an update for the Dell OS Recovery program & once I updated it, all went well.
I had set up the Windows backup & restore program to run at 3 AM everyday & had planned to make the system recovery disk from that, but it wants to burn it to a DVD, but then also asks for the windows installation media in the process. The drive I'm backing up to is a NVMe M.2 SSD that is mounted to SABRENT M.2 NVMe SSD to PCIe x16 adapter. In the event of a disaster, I'm assuming if I used the Dell or a windows 11 installation media, I'm not going to be able to do a restore from that or will I? I figure at worst case scenario, I would get to a fresh windows install, then go to the backup & restore & restore everything from there?
anne_droid
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1.3K Posts
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August 5th, 2025 15:31
Hi
May I suggest a piece of sellotape, write down your BITLOCKER encryption key and sellotape (Scotch) tape it somewhere safe.
Are your backups going to be encrypted?
I have viewed a W11 bitlocker encrypted drive on this PC in Linux Mint.
Below is an old idea for my old Laptop, but may still be relevant, IE: you practice a recovery?