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Where can I download a rescue disk for Windows 8? I have paid for Windows 8, but I would like to be able to download a Windows 8 repair disk using my product key. Is this possible?

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3 Answers 3

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Start the Control panel, and click on the System and Security icon (if you use category view - click Recovery in icons view). Then click on Action Center. Scroll down to the Maintenance category and select Recovery. Click on "Create a recovery drive", and follow the prompts.

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    Too late now. The computer I am referring to needs a recovery disk already (I have only had it for 2(?) days). I may see if the warranty/guarantee covers reinstalling/repairing the OS, but that is a 45min drive to the store I bought it at.
    – BenjiWiebe
    Jan 5, 2013 at 18:06
  • You can make a repair disk on another computer if you have access to one. Just make sure it's created with the same OS (32 bit or 64 bit)
    – ChrisN
    Jan 5, 2013 at 18:13
  • OK, I think a friend of mine has a 64-bit Windows 8 computer. I will look into that. Thanks.
    – BenjiWiebe
    Jan 5, 2013 at 18:21
  • This would be the correct answer... I returned the laptop, though, for several reasons.
    – BenjiWiebe
    Jan 11, 2013 at 3:33
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If you want to repair your Windows 8 you can use the "reset" option in the start up repair help menu.

If you cannot get into the Desktop try this method to get to the reset/refresh screen manually. I think the article is asking you to hold down Shift while hitting power button.

Please read through: How To Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8

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  • That won't work if you can not get to the start up repair menu (I can't).
    – BenjiWiebe
    Jan 5, 2013 at 18:04
  • Consult this link and it should help you reset or refresh your windows 8 ( reset and refresh are two different options, one deletes files another doesnt ) addictivetips.com/windows-tips/…
    – superuser666
    Jan 5, 2013 at 19:14
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    Please don't post two separate answers. You can always edit your existing posts to add information.
    – slhck
    Jan 5, 2013 at 19:51
  • I don't think this will work. Maybe I should tell you why I need a rescue disk. I installed Fedora 17, and I used grub as the bootloader. So... Now when I boot Windows 8, I get an error from Windows Boot Manager, something about missing boot data.
    – BenjiWiebe
    Jan 5, 2013 at 20:59
  • This worked for me even though the start-up repair menu was not coming up naturally.
    – David
    May 17, 2013 at 2:08
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A recovery CD for Windows 8 designed to find and repair many common problems is available for download from NeoSmart Technologies, in the form of an ISO image.

I realize this question has been answered for some time, but seeing as the accepted answer is actually on how to create a Windows 8 recovery CD from a working PC and may not be a valid option for people whose computers aren't working/booting, this is another option that some may find useful.

Full disclosure: I'm part of the team that developed the recovery CD.

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  • Full Full Disclosure, this costs money.
    – pathfinder
    Feb 7, 2016 at 18:33

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