To recover Windows 10 from a USB drive, start the PC from a recovery drive or a Windows 10 installation USB. On the installation USB, select Next > Repair your computer. Then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options and try Startup Repair first, then System Restore.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.
What you need
- A recovery drive you made earlier on this PC. See how to create a Windows 10 recovery USB drive.
- Or a Windows 10 installation USB, which you can make on any working PC. See how to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive.
Start the PC from the USB drive
- Plug in the USB drive and turn on the PC.
- Right away, press the boot menu key. It’s often F12, F11, F9 or Esc, and it depends on the PC’s maker.
- Choose the USB drive from the list.
If the PC starts Windows normally instead, change the boot order. See how to change the boot order in Windows 10.
Open the repair tools
- From an installation USB: choose your language and select Next, then select Repair your computer in the lower-left corner.
- From a recovery drive: choose your keyboard layout.
Fix Windows
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
- Select Startup Repair and follow the steps. It fixes many problems that stop Windows from starting.
- If that doesn’t work, go back and select System Restore to return to a restore point from before the problem.
Other options on this screen include Uninstall Updates, for problems that started after an update. For more, see how to run Startup Repair and how to enter recovery mode.
Repair Windows with Command Prompt
Under Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt, these commands fix common startup problems. Windows may use a different drive letter here, so type dir C:\ first and look for the Windows folder.
chkdsk C: /fchecks the drive for errors.sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windowsrepairs damaged system files.bcdboot C:\Windowsrebuilds the startup files.
Restore a system image
If you made a full backup image of the PC earlier, you can put everything back the way it was, including Windows, apps and files, as of the day you made it.
- Connect the drive that holds the image.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery (on some versions, See more recovery options first).
- Choose the latest image, select Next, and follow the steps. Everything on the PC is replaced with the contents of the image.
If you don’t have one yet, see how to create a system image in Windows 10 once the PC is working again, and make a recovery USB drive to keep with it.
Save your files before you reinstall
If you have to use Recover from a drive or Reset this PC, copy your files first. Plug in a second USB drive, open Command Prompt as above, and type notepad. In Notepad, select File > Open, set the file type to All Files, and use the window to copy folders from your user folder to the USB drive.
If nothing else works
- Reset this PC (under Troubleshoot) reinstalls Windows. You can choose to keep your files. See how to reset Windows 10.
- Recover from a drive (on a recovery drive) reinstalls Windows and erases your personal files and apps. Use it only after you’ve copied off what you need.
If the USB recovery doesn’t go as planned
- It asks for a BitLocker recovery key: find it on another device at your Microsoft account’s recovery keys page.
- The USB drive isn’t in the boot menu: try another USB port, and turn off Fast Boot in the PC’s UEFI settings.
- The keyboard or mouse doesn’t work: plug them into a different USB port, ideally USB 2.0.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a USB drive made on another PC?
An installation USB works on any PC. A recovery drive is best used on the PC it was made on.
Will these steps delete my files?
Startup Repair, System Restore and Uninstall Updates keep your files. Recover from a drive erases them, and Reset this PC keeps them only if you choose Keep my files.
Can I get to the repair tools without a USB drive?
Often, yes. If Windows starts, hold Shift while you select Restart. If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it usually opens Automatic Repair, where you can select Advanced options.
What if System Restore has no restore points?
System protection may have been turned off, so there’s nothing to go back to. Try Uninstall Updates next, then Reset this PC with Keep my files.
How long does Startup Repair take?
Usually a few minutes, but it can take longer on a slow or damaged drive. Let it finish rather than turning the PC off.
Microsoft’s references are Windows recovery environment and Recovery Drive. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.