Solved What are the best Windows Rescue disks available based on WinPE 11


Transcendence72

Transcendence72

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Windows 11
Previously there used to be Hirenboot, but it has not been updated since ver 15.2. And that had been released quite some time ago. There is an alternative with the same name, but not aware of its pedigree.

So my question is what other WinPE Rescue disks, with 3rd party tools and drivers and based on Windows 11 should one look at for emergency rescue? And will WinPE based rescue disks have the latest DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) inbuilt in them?

The Recovery Drive, i.e. WinRE and Windows MCT disks just do not have the plethora of utilities required to do a full system recovery or carter to various scenarios.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
This thread may not last long.

Some of the best WinPE boot disks are probably deemed illegal on this forum.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Stigg's Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10900X
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE 10G
    Memory
    Corsair 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) CMW64GX4M4C3000C15 Vengeance RGB Pro 3000Mhz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super Mini ITX 6 GB OC
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" FHD LED FreeSync Gaming Monitor (LS27F350FHEXXY)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro Series 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    Western Digital Red Pro WD8003FFBX-68B9AN0 8 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III
    PSU
    Corsair HX1200 1200W 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata V2
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    Logitech BRIO 4k Ultra HD USB-C Webcam
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus M GM501GS
    CPU
    Core i7-8750H
    Motherboard
    Zephyrus M GM501GS
    Memory
    SK Hynix 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) HMA82GS6CJR8N-VK 16 GB DDR4-2666 DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC294
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AU Optronics B156HAN07.1 [15.6" LCD]
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung MZVKW512HMJP-00000 512 GB, PCI-E 3.0 x4
    Samsung SSD 860 QVO 4TB 4 TB, SATA-III
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    PC/AT Enhanced PS2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder Essential
    Internet Speed
    FTTN 100Mbps / 40Mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    N/A
    Other Info
    USB2.0 HD UVC Webcam
Why would WinPE boot disks with 3rd party tools and utilities be deemed illegal in this forum?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Microsoft had removed items (regback) from Windows to reduce its profile.

And Microsoft had deprecated WMIC.



These can be enabled or added:

www.elevenforum.com

Enable Automatic Backup of System Registry when Restart in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable automatic backup of the system registry to the RegBack folder when the computer restarts in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Starting with Windows 10, version 1803, Windows no longer automatically backs up the system registry to the RegBack folder when the...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

www.elevenforum.com

Add or Remove WMIC command Feature in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the WMIC command as an optional feature for all users in Windows 11. The WMI command-line (WMIC) utility provides a command-line interface for Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). WMIC is compatible with existing shells and utility commands...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com




Windows PE can be created manually or using third party software:

en.wikipedia.org

Windows Preinstallation Environment - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

www.tenforums.com

Create a WinPE USB or ISO

How to create a Windows Preinstallation Environment bootable USB flash drive or ISO image
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com



Hiren's:
www.majorgeeks.com

Download Hiren's BootCD PE 1.0.8 - MajorGeeks

Hiren’s BootCD PE is an emergency diagnostic boot disk based on Windows 10 PE x64. Hiren’s BootCD PE provides a compilation of programs to help resolves most internet and computer issues including driver failure, intermittent internet connection, and other computer malfunctions.
www.majorgeeks.com

Omb's:
www.fcportables.com

Bob.Omb’s Modified Win10PEx64 v4.985

This PE was designed not only to maintain and repair, but also to install XP/VISTA/7/8/8.1/10/11, provided that you prepare the drive you’re using by following the ReadMe.txt. (You’ll need to download…
www.fcportables.com www.fcportables.com

Strelec's
www.majorgeeks.com

Download Sergei Strelec's WinPE 2026.04.14 - MajorGeeks

WinPE creates a bootable DVD or thumb drive for computer maintenance, partitioning, backup and restore, diagnostics, data recovery, and more. Backups include Acronis, Nortons Ghost, Disk2vhd, Macrium and more. Drive utilities include MiniTool, Macrorit, Defraggler, Auslogics Disk Defrag...
www.majorgeeks.com
www.majorgeeks.com

Download Sergei Strelec's WinPE 64-Bit for Windows 10 and 11 2026.05.11 - MajorGeeks

Sergei Strelec's WinPE creates a bootable DVD or thumb drive for PC maintenance, including partitioning, backup and restoring, diagnostics, data recovery, and more. There is a [1]https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/sergei_strelecs_winpe.html[2]32 and 64-bit[3] and a...
www.majorgeeks.com

Gandalf's:

WIndowsMatters

windowsmatters.com windowsmatters.com


briteccomputers.co.uk

5 USB Boot Drives to Repair Your Computer for Free -

Get free computer help with computer problems like malware removal, backup and restore windows or remove ransomware
briteccomputers.co.uk
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
    Memory
    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
    Hard Drives
    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Mobile Workstation
Previously there used to be Hirenboot, but it has not been updated since ver 15.2. And that had been released quite some time ago. There is an alternative with the same name, but not aware of its pedigree.
Click to expand...
I personally built my own winpe.
You might want to take a look at this link from 10 forum to build your own winpe which you can modify for your needs.

Win10XPE - Build Your Own Rescue Media [2] - Windows 10 Help Forums

As many here know, hosting has been a long running issue with Me and Pre-Made Rescue Media... https://www.tenforums.com/software-a...tml#post434481 So by limiting Pre-Made ISO's - It helped reduce the download demand on my free account(s).... Prior to Jan
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com
both Omb's and what so called an alternative are built based on this so there's nothing illegal about them.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2, Linux Mint 21.3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build Feb.2024
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K @5.8GHZ
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk Max WiFi 7
    Memory
    64GB (2XG Skill F5-6400J3239G32G) @6800
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon (TM) RX 480 Graphics (8 GB)
    Sound Card
    Intergrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    1 - Crucial 705 1TB GEN5
    1 - Crucial 705 2TB GEN5
    2 - Crucial T500 2TB Gen4
    PSU
    750W EVGA-G3
    Case
    Antec NX410
    Cooling
    H2O Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    600 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    WD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro & Linux Mint X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Z77 MPower (MS-7751)
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770K CPU @ 4.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Z77 MPower (MS-7751)
    Memory
    32.0GB Dual-Channel CMY16GX3M2A1600C9
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 740
    Monitor(s) Displays
    40" Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    WIN10 - 111GB Samsung SSD 840 Series
    WIN11 - 223GB Crucial CT240BX500SSD
    2X931GB Crucial CT1000BX500SSD1
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 900
    Cooling
    H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Personally i use Windows setup media, there is no rescue disk if the boot problem needs to be, and usually it's done from Windows recovery environment the rescue disks don't have all the Windows tools like Windows 11 recovery environment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
FreeBooter said:
Personally i use Windows setup media, there is no rescue disk if the boot problem needs to be, and usually it's done from Windows recovery environment the rescue disks don't have all the Windows tools like Windows 11 recovery environment.
Click to expand...
Do you mean the Windows Recovery drive that is put on an external USB Memory Stick?
Or
The WinRE partition that comes along prebundled with most the laptops and desktops from various hardware vendors?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
zbook said:
Microsoft had removed items (regback) from Windows to reduce its profile.

And Microsoft had deprecated WMIC.



These can be enabled or added:

www.elevenforum.com

Enable Automatic Backup of System Registry when Restart in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable automatic backup of the system registry to the RegBack folder when the computer restarts in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Starting with Windows 10, version 1803, Windows no longer automatically backs up the system registry to the RegBack folder when the...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

www.elevenforum.com

Add or Remove WMIC command Feature in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the WMIC command as an optional feature for all users in Windows 11. The WMI command-line (WMIC) utility provides a command-line interface for Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). WMIC is compatible with existing shells and utility commands...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com




Windows PE can be created manually or using third party software:

en.wikipedia.org

Windows Preinstallation Environment - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

www.tenforums.com

Create a WinPE USB or ISO

How to create a Windows Preinstallation Environment bootable USB flash drive or ISO image
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com



Hiren's:
www.majorgeeks.com

Download Hiren's BootCD PE 1.0.8 - MajorGeeks

Hiren’s BootCD PE is an emergency diagnostic boot disk based on Windows 10 PE x64. Hiren’s BootCD PE provides a compilation of programs to help resolves most internet and computer issues including driver failure, intermittent internet connection, and other computer malfunctions.
www.majorgeeks.com

Omb's:
www.fcportables.com

Bob.Omb’s Modified Win10PEx64 v4.985

This PE was designed not only to maintain and repair, but also to install XP/VISTA/7/8/8.1/10/11, provided that you prepare the drive you’re using by following the ReadMe.txt. (You’ll need to download…
www.fcportables.com www.fcportables.com

Strelec's
www.majorgeeks.com

Download Sergei Strelec's WinPE 2026.04.14 - MajorGeeks

WinPE creates a bootable DVD or thumb drive for computer maintenance, partitioning, backup and restore, diagnostics, data recovery, and more. Backups include Acronis, Nortons Ghost, Disk2vhd, Macrium and more. Drive utilities include MiniTool, Macrorit, Defraggler, Auslogics Disk Defrag...
www.majorgeeks.com
www.majorgeeks.com

Download Sergei Strelec's WinPE 64-Bit for Windows 10 and 11 2026.05.11 - MajorGeeks

Sergei Strelec's WinPE creates a bootable DVD or thumb drive for PC maintenance, including partitioning, backup and restoring, diagnostics, data recovery, and more. There is a [1]https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/sergei_strelecs_winpe.html[2]32 and 64-bit[3] and a...
www.majorgeeks.com

Gandalf's:

WIndowsMatters

windowsmatters.com windowsmatters.com


briteccomputers.co.uk

5 USB Boot Drives to Repair Your Computer for Free -

Get free computer help with computer problems like malware removal, backup and restore windows or remove ransomware
briteccomputers.co.uk
Click to expand...
Windows has deprecated WMIC? What is going to take its place? This is a shock to me.

Thanks for the various WinPE that were given.

I tried to download the Sergei Strelec's WinPE drive. Google Drive failed due to large number of requests. Two other links were blocked by my AntiVirus.
Bob's OMB has not been updated for some time now. And it still uses WinPE 10
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Topgundcp said:
I personally built my own winpe.
You might want to take a look at this link from 10 forum to build your own winpe which you can modify for your needs.

Win10XPE - Build Your Own Rescue Media [2] - Windows 10 Help Forums

As many here know, hosting has been a long running issue with Me and Pre-Made Rescue Media... https://www.tenforums.com/software-a...tml#post434481 So by limiting Pre-Made ISO's - It helped reduce the download demand on my free account(s).... Prior to Jan
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com
both Omb's and what so called an alternative are built based on this so there's nothing illegal about them.
Click to expand...
I am going to try to do this. Thanks. But I wonder how will I get across the barrier that is Secure boot for my own custom built WinPE disk? And how will I add all the various drivers for all the various HW peripherals from RealTek, Intel, AMD, NVidia, etc?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Transcendence72 said:
Windows has deprecated WMIC? What is going to take its place? This is a shock to me.
Click to expand...

This was announced back in the Windows 10 days, in 2021. PowerShell is a natural replacement as a native Windows tool.

Deprecated features for client-side Windows can always be found here: Deprecated features in the Windows client

Transcendence72 said:
And how will I add all the various drivers for all the various HW peripherals from RealTek, Intel, AMD, NVidia, etc
Click to expand...

This doesn't totally answer your question, but you typically don't add all of your drivers to a recovery disk; just add storage and chipset drivers, and network if you think you'll need that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Core i7-1260P
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB Micron PC4-25600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    on-board Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Crucial MX500 2 TB
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I tried to use the HirebootCD 1.0.x, dont recall the exact version, on one of the laptops. Post booting the touchpad would not work, which rendered the laptop practically useless. So I looked at the device manager of HirenbootCD and lo behold the HID devices were absent. Also absent were drivers for various Intel controllers. I had to go back figure out the drivers and then do an update driver for all the unrecognized devices in WinPE environment. Took a lot of time.

Want to avoid a repeat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Integrated
    Mouse
    Inbuilt
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Transcendence72 said:
I tried to download the Sergei Strelec's WinPE drive. Google Drive failed due to large number of requests. Two other links were blocked by my AntiVirus.
Bob's OMB has not been updated for some time now. And it still uses WinPE 10
Click to expand...
I download Strelec's via MajorGeek's link -- just remember the password on the RAR file (also listed there).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Pre-built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro B650-VC WiFi
    Memory
    32gb Team Group (T-Force) DDR5-6000
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac nVidia GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER - 12gb
    Sound Card
    Sound BlasterX G6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Koorui G2421V and ViewSonic VX2453
    Screen Resolution
    P:2560x1440 S:1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SN5000 - 500gb NVME
    WD Blue SN580 - 2TB NVME
    Seagate 4TB HDD - ST4000VN008-2DR166
    Keyboard
    Mountain Everest
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Hero
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile Home Internet
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    QNAP TS-469 Pro NAS
    TP-Link W7200 (2 unit mesh network)
    Elgato Streamdeck
Consider making a free or pay backup images.

Save the backup image to another disk drive or to the cloud.

If there is malware, ransomware, registry or operating system corruption, failure to boot, etc. you then have the option to restore the image.

(Acronis, Aoemi, EaseUS, Hasleo, Macrium, Paragon, etc.)

Macrium is widely used in Ten Forums.

Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything
www.macrium.com

Backup and Recovery Software for Critical Systems | Macrium

Fast, reliable backup and recovery software for Windows, OT, OEM and enterprise environments. Minimize downtime with proven system imaging, rapid restore and simple deployment.
www.macrium.com www.macrium.com

www.majorgeeks.com

Download Macrium Reflect FREE Edition 8.0.7783 - MajorGeeks

With Macrium Reflect Free Edition you'll be able to easily make an accurate and reliable image of your HDD or individual partitions. Using this image you can restore the entire disk, partition or...
www.majorgeeks.com

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect
www.tenforums.com

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

How to Create and Restore a System Image Backup with Macrium Reflect
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
    Memory
    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
    Hard Drives
    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Mobile Workstation
Transcendence72 said:
Do you mean the Windows Recovery drive that is put on an external USB Memory Stick?
Or
The WinRE partition that comes along prebundled with most the laptops and desktops from various hardware vendors?
Click to expand...
I mean both, but if want you can create recovery flash drive as well or use the Windows 11 Installation media to boot into WinRE.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
Transcendence72 said:
Why would WinPE boot disks with 3rd party tools and utilities be deemed illegal in this forum?
Click to expand...
Because they are illegitimate (cracked or patched) and using software that are not legit is against forum rules.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7,8.1,10,11, Mint, Kde Plasma, Debian
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6500U CPU @ 2.50GHz
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520/Nvidia GeForce 930M
    Sound Card
    Intel(R) Display Audio/RealtekAudio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic Pnp Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1366 X 768
    Hard Drives
    ST2000LM024-1EJ164
    Keyboard
    Eng (US)
    Mouse
    Sanwa Supply
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Avast One
    Other Info
    Too many laptops with different system specifications.
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