How to create a Windows 8 system repair disc

Martin Brinkmann
Nov 1, 2012
Updated • Nov 1, 2012
Software, Windows, Windows 8, Windows tips
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Windows 8 ships with options to create a system repair disc from within the operating system just like previous versions of Microsoft Windows did. What you need to know before you get started is that you can only create a system repair disc for the operating system version you are using. If you are running a 32-bit version, you can only create a disc that is compatible with 32-bit versions of the operating system.

The system repair disc can be used to boot into a recovery environment in situations where the Windows 8 operating system is not booting anymore.

To create a Windows 8 system repair disc do the following:

  • Press Windows-q to open the application search menu. If you are on the desktop, you are automatically switched to the search interface on the start screen.
  • Enter recdisc and hit return afterwards. This loads a menu on the desktop that you can use to create the disc.
  • Enter a blank CD or DVD into a CD writer connected to the computer and select its drive letter if it is not selected already.
  • It should not take longer than a couple of minutes to create the repair disc. If you have a fast CD or DVD writer, it should complete in less than a minute.

create a system repair disc

You need to boot from the recovery disc, and to do that, you may need to configure the BIOS or UEFI of your computer to boot from CD/DVD if the drive is not the first choice.

The interface itself offers the following options:

The advanced tools offer the following features:

  • Access System Restore to restore Windows to a previous state
  • System Image Recovery using a previously created backup image file
  • Automatic Repair to have Windows try and fix issues automatically
  • Command Prompt

windows 8 recovery options

The very same options are available when you select to run Windows 8 with advanced startup parameters. This can be initiated when you still have access to the operating system. To do that press Windows-C to open the Charms Bar.  Click Settings > Change PC Settings and wait for the configuration screen to load. Switch to General here and scroll down until you see Advanced Startup.

Start up from a device or disc (such as a USB or DVD, change Windows startup settings, or restore Windows from a system image. This will restart your PC.

A click on restart now reboots the PC and displays the advanced startup options on the screen. Note that you will see one additional option listed here. Startup Settings enables you to restart to change a variety of Windows options including:

  • Enable low-resolution video mode
  • Enable debugging mode
  • Enable boot logging
  • Enable Safe Mode
  • Disable driver signature enforcement
  • Disable early-launch anti-malware protection
  • Disable automatic restart on system failure

The options are displayed as numbers on the next start of the system.

It is highly recommended to create a system repair disc for Windows 8, or any other operating system for that matter, especially so if you do not have other recovery options at hand.

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Comments

  1. Anonymous said on March 9, 2023 at 1:52 pm
    Reply

    Does it come back after every “moment” update?

  2. Baloney said on March 9, 2023 at 2:23 pm
    Reply

    Yeah right.. Like this is going to stop defender from running =) This is comedy gold right here.

  3. Anonymous said on March 9, 2023 at 3:25 pm
    Reply

    no ‘about the author’ paragraph?

  4. Gregory said on March 9, 2023 at 4:19 pm
    Reply

    For permanent disable defender is if removed complete from system no just change permission folder.

    Just this is joke.

  5. moi said on March 9, 2023 at 5:57 pm
    Reply

    simpler, load Autoruns (SysInternals)
    – filter “Defender”
    – untag all entries
    – reboot
    nothing has changed since my 1st modification years ago

  6. John G. said on March 9, 2023 at 6:32 pm
    Reply

    I wouldn’t disable Defender imho, it has too many hidden roots inside Windows itself. One time I tried to uninstall it using brute force scripts and then the Onedrive feature stopped working definitely. A reinstallation was needed and since those times I prefer to maintain Defender untouched. It’s a better method to install another antivirus and it will disable Defender in a safer and easier mode (e.g., Avast is the best in this way, and also Panda Cloud Free is good too).

    1. Tweakmaster said on September 29, 2023 at 9:57 am
      Reply

      U are just * [Editor: removed] thats the problem ;p first of all u shall always debloat windows u shall have max 65 services with your drivers for pc and windows own servs. You didnt know what that script did

  7. boris said on March 10, 2023 at 12:19 am
    Reply

    You can not stop defender from running in background or remove it without some penalty. All you can do is to limit telemetry.

    1. TelV said on March 10, 2023 at 4:52 pm
      Reply

      @borts,

      It’s probably Smartscreen which is preventing WD from being disabled. Get rid of that and the problem should be solved: https://thegeekpage.com/disable-windows-defender-smartscreen/#How_to_disable_the_Windows_Defender_SmartScreen_via_Local_Group_Policy_Editor

  8. hoho said on March 10, 2023 at 1:47 pm
    Reply

    Remove Windows and go for Linux.

    1. basingstoke said on March 10, 2023 at 2:51 pm
      Reply

      Linux sucks dude. Besides it’s not comparable to Windows, these OSes are in different classes entirely.

      1. Derp said on March 10, 2023 at 4:36 pm
        Reply

        I use Linux as my daily driver. It’s far more stable than Windows. When’s the last time you used Linux, 2010?

      2. Bromosexual said on March 11, 2023 at 2:04 am
        Reply

        @basingstoke

        You’re right, dude. Bro, linux is just a bunch of code that starts before the OS, dude. Brobrodude, that shit ain’t even got emojis, dudebrodudeman! Dudebro, it’s no way near as cool as Windows with its hardcoded abilities to make money off the user, bro. Yo brodude man, you’re the coolest dude ever man, bro. Dude.

      3. basingstoke said on August 16, 2023 at 7:20 pm
        Reply

        Lol what? Windows 7 doesn’t come with any Emojis

  9. TelV said on March 10, 2023 at 4:46 pm
    Reply

    Download Autoruns and remove the checkmark from Windows Defender. It doesn’t remove it, but it will never run. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns

  10. Simon said on March 10, 2023 at 8:37 pm
    Reply

    Just use “Defender Control”:
    https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v2-1/comment-page-1/#comments

    Per this video,
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLIjr7FyxZ8
    it also works on Windows 11 too…

  11. Someone said on March 10, 2023 at 9:26 pm
    Reply

    Win Defender, is completly the most succesful free-built in antivirus of Microsoft. Really nice product. Saved my ass a lot of times. Has updated malware database, completly strong defence
    from whatever smart screen disables. Or if you want better and more upgrated (paid) program,
    you can go further. But defender is always on your side.

  12. CalixtoWVR1 said on March 10, 2023 at 10:03 pm
    Reply

    Why would one disable Windows (or Microsoft) Defender in the first place?. I consider this to be playing with fire big time. Everybody knows that if one is using another A-V, Defender will be disabled on its own and won’t be in one’s way.

  13. Ed D said on March 10, 2023 at 11:09 pm
    Reply

    Why would I want to disable Windows Defender in the first place? It’s a great anti virus in my opinion. Been using it since Windows 8 and and never had a problem or a virus. Why mess with a good thing, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

  14. owl said on August 17, 2023 at 1:57 am
    Reply

    How a ridiculous article!
    I am thoroughly stunned.

    Why Should You Disable First-Party Windows Defender?
    I can only think that it is “malice or perversely intention (want you to buy a third-party AV where you can expect a back margin)” to guide invalidation without showing the premise.
    No sane company will use third-party closed source programs (such as AV).

    As I thought, “Ghacks Technology News” seems to be coming to downfall.

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