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Vista Recovery Disc

Downloads Count: 281,967
License Type: Free
Price: Free
Date Added: May 1, 2008
Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows Vista
Author: Microsoft

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Editorial Review of Vista Recovery Disc

Note: This file is no longer available. PC World regrets any inconvenience.

It looked like Microsoft was finally going to do the right thing. Beta versions of Vista SP1 came with a modern equivalent of the old Windows Boot Floppy--a Start Menu option called "Create a Recovery Disc" that burned a Windows PE-based emergency CD. Alas, Microsoft removed that feature before SP1 shipped, but not before NeoSmart turned the disc into an .iso file and made it available on their site.

Running on the Vista version of Windows PE, the Recovery Disc is basically a Vista installation disc minus the install files. It even has an "Install now" button that asks for a Product Key before failing. You're better off clicking the Repair your computer button. Among its Vista-only options are a tool for diagnosing and fixing startup problems, a version of System Restore that uses restore points on the hard drive, the restore portions of Vista's backup program, and a memory diagnostic tool.

Note: This link takes you to an external Web site, where you can download the latest version of the software.

--Lincoln Spector

Most recent User Reviews for Vista Recovery Disc

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Reviewed by: ptum333
09-22-2011

Duration of ownership: 1 Months

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Overall Evaluation:
Reviewed by: naderroodsaz
04-15-2011

Duration of ownership: 3 Months

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Overall Evaluation:
Reviewed by: lucky76
05-25-2009

Duration of ownership: 0 Months

Strengths: HELLO PC WORLD !!!!!!!!!!!

Weaknesses: GET HIJACKED EVERYTIME TRY DOWNLOAD TO DIVSHARE.COM

Overall Evaluation: GET HIJACKED EVERYTIME TRY DOWNLOAD TO DIVSHARE.COM
Reviewed by: nymark
05-07-2008

Duration of ownership: 3 Days

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Overall Evaluation: They rejected my passwod they sent me also the registration key which I checked several times it not worth the hassel so I deleted it
Reviewed by: dwpenn
05-06-2008

Duration of ownership: 0 Months

Strengths: Offering a solution is a strength

Weaknesses: Delivering the solution by uncommon means (including use of a 3rd party product) should be avoided. The author may like and use the 3rd party product (ÂµTorrent), but should not impose it on everyone. For one thing (aside from having to find/install/setup/use a new application) this new application opens up a two way linkage to from the users PC. I've already said I wouldn't want to force a user to adopt a new product just to get another new product, but I definately would not want to leave them after a one time use of that product with an exploitable connection that could be a risk to them.

Overall Evaluation: I never got to use the product, it became to cumbersome and potentially risky to try and get there from here for reasons covered above. PC Word should screen for and ask their submitters to stick to an out in the open standard and not force any 3rd party application (aside from unzip).
Reviewed by: Tim94595
05-06-2008

Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Free - Exceedingly usefull if your Vista machine crashes!

Weaknesses: Have to download and burn an ISO image to a blank CD/DVD disk, using uTorrent's bitTorrent clien software. Can be challenging for the novice user...but...DETAILED instructions can be found on the download website.

Overall Evaluation: Snoops does not know what he/she is talking about regarding Windows XP. This is a very valuable tool when needed to recover from a system malfunction, especially in Windows Vista. Please carefully review all the data and referenced on the download website. You have to download a "pointer" file that itself will later enable you to download the actual IOS image to be burned to CD/DVD. It's complicated but woth the effort!

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