9.1 Creating a Recovery USB Using Dell DataSafe

Disclaimer: This wiki is not official Dell documentation but is compiled by Philip Yip (Dell Community Rockstar natakuc4).

The first thing you are recommended to do when you purchase a Dell is to create recovery media. To do this you will need a 8 GB or superior USB (For USB flash drive recommendations see here). You may also use multiple DVDs but in general a USB is better. Insert your USB Flash Drive and remove any other external USB Flash Drives or drives. In addition remove any SD cards.

Ideally you should use a new USB Flash Drive. If you are using an old one format it with the HP Format Tool.

Right click the "HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool" icon as select "run as  administrator".

The HP Format tool should launch

Select your USB device and then select FAT32 or NTFS under file system. Then click start.

When this is done then select ok and close the HP Format Tool program.

New computers will have a program called Dell DataSafe local backup. Go to start > All Programs and click it to launch it.

When running for the first time you should be prompted immediately to create the recovery media.

If it is not the first time the program has been launched or for some reason this screen doesn't show up immediately you should get these two screens, select use basic and create recovery media respectively.

This should take you back to the following screen:

Select USB Flash Drive and then click next.

Read the information and then select next

Ensure that this is the correct USB drive and select next. The program will now create the USB recovery flash drive.

It will now be complete click Finish. Now ensure that you safely remove your USB flash drive. Open computer (Start > Computer or press [Windows] and :emotion-57:).

Right click the USB flash drive and select eject. Store it in a safe place. My advise is then to repeat the process with a second USB flash drive and store it in a second safe location.

Disclaimer: This wiki is not official Dell documentation but is compiled by Philip Yip (Dell Community Rockstar natakuc4).