Recovery USB for Windows 11

For safety I have just made a recovery USB for my Win 11 installation. I am trying to test it to see that it boots up OK but I have a simple question about using it.
All the files seem to have been created on the stick (pic 1). That looks OK ??. Pic 2 shows the blue screen I get when booting up and using F9 in my case to interrupt boot up. Out of the options the only ones that work are the Windows boot manager (Team) and the UEFI Generic. The Windows boot manager (Team) seems to boot me up in the normal way straight into my normal screen. The UEFI Generic option gets me into the start of a "reinstallation" procedure.

1. Is the UEFI Generic actually the USB stick as I thought that would show up as USB or something?
2. If I proceeded to boot from UEFI Generic option would that lead me into a complete reinstallation and loss of all files and data ??? I used to use Aomei recovery stick which just booted up the system but I accidentally erased it and the new version of Aomei does not offer "Create a bootable USB" as an option in the free version. So, does anyone know a similar free program that does allow creating a bootable USB
3. Is there a way of making a W 11 recovery stick that avoids losing all my data and just installs the OS ??

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

You noted that when you select the UEFI Generic option, it is starting a "reinstallation" procedure. I assume that your third screenshot shows what you are seeing when you do that. But that is also the same setup that will get you to the recovery and troubleshooting options.

From the screen shown in your third screenshot, click on Next. You will be asked for your keyboard or input method:



Click on Next once again. You will get an option to Repair my PC:



When you select Repair my PC, note that the message that says that everything will be deleted disappears:



Bottom line is that by by following these steps you are not reinstalling Windows and wiping out everything. It is just that the same initial setup will allow you to reinstall Windows or to get to the recovery and troubleshooting options. Also, the fact that you are getting to the point where you are indicates that you already properly cretated your USB stick. But, if you are still interested in alternative ways to create that USB stick, it seems that Rufus is probably the most popular option that people here use.


As for reinstalling Windows but keeping your data, probably the best way to do this is from within Windows opening Settings > System > Recovery and then Reset this PC. This will give you options to reinstall Windows including an option to keep all your personal files.



In my opinion, you should also definitely consider a good backup program. Making regular backups can allow you to completely recover Windows along with all your data, or simply retrieve a file(s) that may have become corrupted, accidentally deleted, etc.

I hope that this helps. Do let us know if you have further questions.

Thanks for very helpful advice.
I already do regular system backups using Aomei Backupper. In the event of anything major happening to my OS would a "restore" of my Aomei backup (saved onto an external hard drive) achieve the same result as using this new Windows USB recovery stick I made?

It will restore the image as it was at the time you made it. Including any programs and data.

That's good enough for me. I'll also keep the recovery usb as a reserve line of defence as the Aomei system backup seems to meet my needs of restoring the OS without losing data/settings etc.
Thank you once again.

hsehestedt said:

As for reinstalling Windows but keeping your data, probably the best way to do this is from within Windows opening Settings > System > Recovery and then Reset this PC. This will give you options to reinstall Windows including an option to keep all your personal files.

Click to expand...

Using that option you will have to reinstall all your apps.
Better to use this option which will reinstall windows but let you keep everything as is.
It is like performing an in-place upgrade.