How to Create a Recovery Partition in Windows 10

Windows 10 normally creates its own recovery partition during installation, holding the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) that powers Startup Repair, Reset this PC and Safe Mode options. Before creating one, open Command Prompt as administrator and run reagentc /info. If it shows Windows RE status: Disabled, running reagentc /enable is usually all you need. Only build a new partition by hand if the original was deleted, and for most people a recovery USB drive is a simpler and safer backup.

Step 1: Check the current recovery setup

1. Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
2. Run reagentc /info.

Look at two lines: Windows RE status (Enabled or Disabled) and Windows RE location, which points to the partition holding it. In Disk Management (right-click Start), the recovery partition usually appears as a 500 MB to 1 GB “Recovery Partition” with no drive letter.

Step 2: Turn the recovery environment back on

If the status is Disabled but the partition still exists, run reagentc /enable, then reagentc /info again to confirm. Restart and test it: hold Shift and click Restart, and you should see the Choose an option screen.

Option: Create a recovery USB drive instead

A USB recovery drive gives you the same repair tools, and it still works if the hard drive fails. Search Start for Create a recovery drive, tick Back up system files to the recovery drive, and follow the prompts with a 16 GB or larger USB stick. See how to create a Windows 10 recovery USB drive.

Advanced: create a new recovery partition

Do this only if the recovery partition was deleted and you’re comfortable with disk tools. Back up your files first; mistakes in diskpart can erase data. These steps assume a GPT (UEFI) disk with Windows on partition 3; check your own numbers with list partition before running anything.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the commands below one line at a time. They shrink C: by 1 GB and create a hidden recovery partition labeled R:.

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition
select partition 3
shrink desired=1024 minimum=1024
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs label="Recovery"
set id="de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac"
gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
assign letter=R
exit

1. Get a copy of winre.wim. It’s normally at C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\winre.wim (a hidden file) if WinRE was disabled rather than deleted. Otherwise it must be extracted from Windows 10 installation media’s install.wim with DISM.
2. Create the folder R:\Recovery\WindowsRE and copy winre.wim into it.
3. Run reagentc /setreimage /path R:\Recovery\WindowsRE.
4. Run reagentc /enable, then remove the drive letter in Disk Management or with diskpart’s remove letter=R.

On older BIOS/MBR disks, use set id=27 instead of the GUID and skip the gpt attributes line.

Fix error 0x80070643 when updating WinRE

Some Windows 10 PCs failed to install a 2024 WinRE security update with error 0x80070643 because the recovery partition was too small. Microsoft’s published fix is to shrink C: and enlarge the recovery partition by about 250 MB using similar diskpart steps. If you only see that error, you don’t need a brand-new partition; follow Microsoft’s resizing instructions for KB5028997.

Troubleshooting

“REAGENTC.EXE: Unable to update Boot Configuration Data”

Run bcdedit /enum all to check the boot configuration, then try reagentc /disable followed by reagentc /enable. If it keeps failing, make a recovery USB instead.

Shrink fails or only allows a little space

Unmovable files block shrinking. Temporarily turn off the page file and System Restore, restart, and try again. See how to merge partitions in Windows 10 for related disk tasks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I delete the recovery partition to free space?

You can, but you lose built-in repair tools unless you keep a recovery USB. See how to delete a recovery partition for the risks.

Is a recovery partition the same as a backup?

No. It repairs or reinstalls Windows but doesn’t save your files. Keep separate backups and restore points. For other recovery options, see how to recover Windows 10.

Summary

1. Run reagentc /info to check WinRE.
2. If disabled, run reagentc /enable.
3. For a simpler safety net, create a recovery USB drive.
4. Only build a new partition with diskpart if the original was deleted, and back up first.