Hi.
I bought an SSD some time ago and with it came a cloning software which I used to clone my old HD to the SSD. That worked as it should and I could not have been happier with the performance boost.
I regularly factory reset my computer and wanted to do that now for the first time since I upgraded. But when I choose Reset This PC -> Get Started -> Remove Everything (or) Keep My Files, it just gives me a blue small screen telling me "Could not find the recovery environment". Then it only gives me the option to close and that is it.
Does someone know how to solve this issue?
Hi simmisj and welcome to windowssh blog!
I think you haven't provided enough info for complete solution, but:
if you intend to reset Windows with option remove everything, you would be better with preforming a clean install.
Problem could be related with hidden partitions. Different laptops manufacturers have different approach to this, or cloning software just didn't clone the disk - just selected partitions. If you have backup of your files (document, pictures, projects...) I would suggest downloading ISO from MS (new - anniversary build) and doing clean install.
Wish you luck!
Thank you AndreTen.
I was not sure what information was relevant.
Anyways, I do not care about any of the files on the computer as I have already backed them up on external hard drives. I just want a clean Windows 10 by any means necessary, as long as it is free I already bought a Windows license with the laptop so why should I have to buy another one, right?
You solution seems to be the one I am after. I already downloaded the Media Creation Tool from and used the USB option to create a bootable USB drive. When I try that I just get a blue screen which hangs, but I can move the mouse.
If I install a fresh copy of Windows 10 will it not want me to provide a product key?
Try to just download ISO file to you r computer and then use program called Rufus. It is well known.
If your PC is activated with Windows 10, you will no need any key.
Here are great Tutorials by Brink: Windows 10 ISO download
Good luck!
Great!
I will give that a go.
I will be back with any progress good or bad
Thanks!
Alright.
I managed to install Windows 10 using an image and Rufus.
The solution might be surprising.
When I bought the SSD I had already bought a HDD caddy so that once I bought an SSD I would have a place for the original hard drive in my computer. I have no use for the DVD drive that came with the computer. So I tried removing the caddy leaving only the SSD. Then, the installation went through without a hessitation.
BUT, when I insert the caddy back into the computer Windows just hangs on a loading screen. I have not tried to keep it loading for a long time since I will do that when I go to sleep. But at least 10 minutes and it does not do anything except stay on the loading screen with the little circle thingy swirling around. I can also move the mouse.
Very weird.
I will mark this as solved. Any comments on the problem I am having with the secondary hard drive in regards to this problem are welcome.
Cheers!
