Microsoft Vista Boot Disk

Download our recovery and repair disk for Microsoft Windows Vista (also for Windows 7, 8, XP or Server editions) that can be used to access system recovery tools, giving you options of using an antivirus, System Restore, document and picture backup and recovery, automated system repair, and a command-line prompt for manual advanced recovery.

Active@ Boot Disk is a complete and functioning computer operating system on CD/DVD/USB disk (LiveCD). Active@ Boot Disk comes with a collection of powerful utilities to data recovery, Windows password reset, disk imaging, data erasure,partition managment.
Ralix Windows Emergency Boot Disk - For Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 10 PC Repair DVD All in One Tool (Latest Version) by Ralix. 3.4 out of 5 stars 411.

Windows Vista Boot Disk free download - Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, Windows 10, and many more programs. Windows Vista Recovery CD If you can't boot Vista and don't have the Vista CD/DVD: 1. Burn the image 2. Boot from CD/DVD 3. After choosing language choose 'Repair your computer' 4. Start the 'Command Prompt' 5. And write 'bootrec.exe /fixmbr' to write to the mbr (vista start after reboot) or 'bootrec.exe /fixboot' to write a boot sector (you.

Looking for recovery disks for other Windows versions?

Easy Recovery Essentials (or EasyRE) is a 55 to 135 MiB download image ready to be burned directly to a CD, DVD or a USB stick.

Download Vista Boot Disk

Features of Easy Recovery Essentials include:

Automatically find and fix errors
Works even when you can’t get into Windows
Recover from virus infections
Restore your PC to a working state
Access and back up your important data
Use your PC even when it doesn’t work
Advanced tools for IT experts

Contents

Compatible with PC manufacturers

Disk for recovery & repair

If you’re like most PC users, you probably got Windows Vista with a new PC or laptop. And if you’re like 99% of the population, you get your new machines from one of the major manufacturers.

Dell, Acer, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, they all have one thing in common: they don’t give you a real Windows Vista installation disk with your purchase.

Instead, they bundle what they call a “recovery disk” (that’s if you’re lucky – otherwise you’ll have a recovery partition instead) with your machine and leave it at that.

It doesn’t matter that you just paid a thousand dollars for a machine that comes with a valid Windows Vista license – your computer manufacturer just don’t want to spend the money (or perhaps take on the responsibility) of giving you a Windows Vista installation DVD to accompany your expensive purchase.

The problem is, with Windows Vista, the installation media serves more than one purpose. It’s not just a way to get Windows installed, it’s also the only way of recovering a borked installation.

The DVD has a “recovery center” that provides you with the option of recovering your system via automated recovery (searches for problems and attempts to fix them automatically), rolling-back to a system restore point, recovering a full PC backup, or accessing a command-line recovery console for advanced recovery purposes.

Download recovery disk for Windows Vista

Easy Recovery Essentials repair process is non-destructive, recovering PCs without formatting or reinstalling Windows.

The powerful repair process can fix many issues that Microsoft’s own Startup Repair cannot. In addition to the industry-leading automated repair features, this disk will give you access to the following:

System Restore
Web Browser
Partition Editor
Antivirus Scanner
Data/File Backup and Recovery
Commandline/Terminal Access

Later update: Please note that this download is no longer free, due to licensing restrictions imposed upon us.

Our recovery disk supports x86 and x64 platforms and all Windows Vista versions, including 32-bit and 64-bit editions:

Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Windows Vista Enterprise (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Windows Vista Business (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
Windows Vista Starter (32-bit edition)

And all Service Packs:

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

This disk is a 120 MiB download in standard ISO format that you’ll need to burn to a CD or DVD before you can use it as a bootable recovery medium. You can also burn it on a USB stick.

You cannot use a recovery or repair disk to install or reinstall Windows Vista.

Burn to CDs, DVDs or USB sticks

NeoSmart Technologies has published a guide on how to burn an ISO image to CD or DVD with your favorite burning program, which you can read if you need more information or help on this topic. You can burnt it with ImgBurn, Alcohol 120% or ActiveISO:

You can also burn it on a USB stick if you don’t want to use CDs or DVDs. We published a guide on making a EasyRE recovery USB.

Compatible with PC manufacturers

This recovery and repair disk is compatible with desktops, workstations, laptops, notebooks, netbooks, ultrabooks and servers from major PC manufacturers, like Dell, HP, Asus, Acer or Lenovo plus more.

Dell, HP, Asus, Acer

Dell

The disk is compatible with all Dell laptops and desktop computers, including all its manufactured series like Adamo, Inspiron, Studio, Vostro, XPS, Latitude.

Do you have a Dell computer running Windows Vista? Read our Dell recovery and restore guide.

The disk is compatible with HP computers: ENVY, EliteBook, Essential Home, Pavilion and x2 for laptops and ENVY, Essential Home and Pavilion for desktops and All-in-One Desktop PCs.

Do you have a HP computer running Windows Vista? Read our HP recovery and restore guide.

Asus

It’s compatible with notebooks, ultrabooks, laptops and desktops from ASUS.

It works for any computer that was manufactured by ASUS, if it runs Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 or any of the following Windows Server editions: 2003, 2008, 2012.

Do you have an Asus computer running Windows Vista? Read our Asus recovery and restore guide.

Acer

It’s compatible with any Acer computer that has Windows installed, including these manufactured series:

Aspire R, Aspire V3 and Aspire E for notebooks
Aspire S7, Aspire S5, Aspire S3, Aspire P, Aspire M, Aspire V7, Aspire V5 for ultra-thin computers
Aspire One for netbooks
Aspire M and T, Aspire X and Predator G for desktops

Do you have an Acer computer running Windows Vista? Read our Acer recovery and restore guide.

Lenovo, Toshiba, Samsung

Lenovo

You can download the repair disk for any Lenovo computers, such as:

ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Essential series for laptops
Thinkcentre, Ideacentre and Essentials series for desktop PCs

Do you have a Lenovo computer running Windows Vista? Read our Lenovo recovery and restore guide.

Toshiba

It’s compatible with any Toshiba computers running Windows:

Satellite, Qosmio, Portege, Tecra, Kira family series
All-in-One desktop series

Do you have a Toshiba computer running Windows Vista? Read our Toshiba recovery and restore guide.

Samsung

The disk is compatible with Samsung line of laptops and desktops, including:

ATIV Book, Gaming and Business PC series for laptops
ATIV One for All-in-One desktops

IBM, Compaq, Gateway, eMachines

IBM

IBM personal computer business division was acquired by Lenovo in 2005.

This disk supports IBM desktop and laptop models, most notably the ThinkPad line.

Compaq

Compaq was acquired by HP in 2002, but some of its famous PC line series are still used by our customers.

Our disk works with Compaq notebooks and desktops PCs, including Compaq Presario series.

Gateway

Gateway Computer was acquired by Acer in 2007.

Our disk is compatible with Gateway Computers netbooks, notebooks and desktops PCs, such as:

Series SX, DX and One ZX for desktop systems
NE and NV series for notebooks
LT series for netbooks

Do you have a Gateway computer running Windows Vista? Read our Gateway recovery and restore guide.

eMachines

eMachines PCs were manufactured up until 2004 when Gateway Computers brought the company. Gateway Computers was later acquired by Acer in 2007, but the eMachines PC brand was used until 2012.

If you own a computer from this computer brand, our disk is compatible with eMachines PCs.

Disk for Windows 7, 8, XP or Server editions

Windows 7

You can get our recovery disk for Windows 7. It supports all versions: Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Home Premium, Home Basic and Starter.

Download for Windows 7.

Windows 8

You can also get the recovery disk for Windows 8.

Download for Windows 8.

Windows XP

Easy Recovery Essentials is available for Windows XP users and it supports all Service Packs: Service Pack 1 (SP1), Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012

Easy Recovery Essentials supports Microsoft Windows Server editions: 2003, 2008 and 2012.

Support

Our disk supports all Windows service packs (Windows XP SP1, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1, Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 7 SP2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012 R2.

Please don’t ask for help below, it’ll get real cluttered real soon! Open a support thread at https://neosmart.net/forums/ and we’ll help you resolve your problem ASAP.

Back in 2006 when Windows Vista was introduced, it came with a brand new feature that is able to burn what’s called a “System repair disc” onto a blank CD. While it isn’t a disc full of utilities that can help you fix a huge number of issues such as the great Hiren’s Boot CD is able to do, there are number of functions built in that can do the basic tasks. These include helping a system with startup issues to boot, enabling you to run an offline system restore, a command prompt where you can use tools such as Diskpart, run the Windows memory diagnostic and restore a full system image backup if your installation is beyond repair.

What’s good about this tool is it’s available in all versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7 and also Windows 8. These same functions are also found on the Windows Install DVD that is used to install the operating system, so you don’t necessarily need to have a repair CD if the install DVD is to hand. The problem with this though is if you own a branded computer or laptop such as Acer, Dell or HP, the chances are they only provided you with a recovery partition or a recovery DVD without the proper Windows DVD. In other words, you need to make your own system repair disc through Windows.

A simple scenario where a repair disc would be useful is if you decide for whatever reason that you want to install Windows XP as well as your current Windows. It’s easy to install Windows XP on a system with Windows 7 or Vista installed, but XP would overwrite the current bootloader making only the XP installation bootable. The system repair disc would be able to reinstall the correct bootloader to make all operating systems bootable.

A few years back the people who make EasyBCD, Neosmart, used to host the Windows bootable repair CD’s although they now charge a fee for their own version of a repair disc. Most other repair discs made by Windows and uploaded to websites have just about all been taken down from the internet by Microsoft actively seeking their removal, for some reason. Here’s how to create your own from within Windows.

Creating a Windows Vista Repair Boot CD

Although not immediately obvious in Windows Vista, it does come with the ability to create the repair CD which you can use to repair things like the boot sector, boot failure issues or various other problems. The odd thing about Vista is it appears the function to create the disc was removed in Service Pack 1 onwards. Although the program to create the CD is there, it’s unusable. What you need to do if you have Service Pack 1 or 2 installed is to use the original Recdisc.exe from the RTM version of Vista and replace the current file. Here’s how to do it:

1. As noted above, you need the original Windows Vista RTM Recdisc.exe file to be able to use it with SP1 or SP2. You can download the correct version for your operating system architecture below:

Recdisc for Vista 32-bit | Recdisc for Vista 64-bit

Extract the downloaded zip file to your folder of choice.

2. Download Windows Se7en Files Replacer and extract the 7-Zip file to a folder.

3. If you have Windows UAC (User Account Control) turned off, simply run the Se7en Files Replacer.exe and drop the Recdisc.exe you downloaded from step #1 onto the window. This will replace the file in WindowsSystem32, there’s no need to reboot.

If you have UAC on, run the tool and click the Manual button to the right. Then locate the executable from step #1, and locate the original in C:WindowsSystem32 from the next file dialog, although it should already be pointing to the correct folder. The reason you can’t simply copy and paste the file is because Recdisc.exe has advanced permissions which prohibits it being replaced under normal circumstances.

4. If done correctly, you should now be able to run the repair disc creator. Go to Start or press the Win key and type recdisc. This will open the dialog where the CD/DVD drive can be selected, simply insert a blank disc and press the Create button.

Creating a Windows 7 Repair Boot CD

Thankfully, with Windows 7 it’s far easier to create the repair CD because you don’t have to worry about replacing the Recdisc.exe file like is needed for Vista.

1. All you have to do is press Win or go to Start and type recdisc, then follow the prompts by selecting the optical drive with a blank CD and pressing the button.

If you’re one of those users that doesn’t have a working CD/DVD-RW drive in your computer, it’s normally not possible to create the repair disc because Recdisc requires an optical drive to write to. We have discovered how you can create the ISO file and write a perfectly working repair disc onto USB without using a ROM drive. You can read all about that in our Installing Windows 7 System Recovery Disc onto USB Flash Drive article.

Creating a Windows 8 Repair Disc

Unfortunately, with Windows 8 Microsoft has gone back to playing around with the recovery disc feature like they did in Windows Vista. As it stands, Recdisc is available in Windows 8 but NOT in Windows 8.1. All is not lost though because you still get the new to Windows 8 feature of writing the repair disc directly to USB flash drive.

Using Recdisc in Windows 8

Boot Disk For Windows Vista

1. The procedure for Recdisc in Windows 8 is the same as Windows 7 and Vista, Press Win key+R to bring up the Run dialog and type recdisc.

Using the USB Recovery Creator in Windows 8/8.1

As mentioned, only this function is available in Windows 8.1 and not Recdisc above. To use it:

1. Either press Win key+R and type recoverydrive or go to Control Panel -> Recovery -> “Create a recovery drive”.

2. At the first window, make sure the tick is not in the “Copy the recovery partition from the PC to the recovery drive” box. Then make sure the flash drive is inserted and press Next.

3. In this window MAKE SURE your USB device has been detected and is the selected drive to write onto. If your flash drive doesn’t show up, it could default to the C: drive as the device to overwrite so special attention is needed here.

4. Press Next when you’re satisfied, then read the final warning and click Create. After a short while the USB recovery drive will be created.

The Windows 8 recovery image is now 200MB+ compared to around 160MB for the Windows image that gets written to CD, but still easily fits on even small flash drives.

You might also like:

How To Perform a Repair Install of Windows XPInstalling Windows 7 System Recovery Disc onto USB Flash DriveInstall Windows 7 and Vista MUI Language Packs on Basic, Home Premium, Business or ProHow To Burn Downloaded Windows Vista to DVD or USBvLite is a Windows Vista Configuration Tool that creates Vista Lite

Paul11 months ago

Doesn’t work. I replaced the recdisc.exe file by following the instructions. When running recdisc.exe, it asks for the original Vista installation disc. I thought the whole point of this was to make a new recovery disc WITHOUT the need for the installation disc.

Maybe Vista never had the ability for Recdisc to create a repair CD without the install DVD. I did reinstall Vista today just to test this and it asks me for the install DVD as well.

As this article is nearly 10 years old, I really can’t remember if we missed something out in the steps or we made a simple mistake during testing such as leaving the install DVD in the drive.

We’re sorry if this has caused confusion to you and others, that obviously was not our intention.

Frank2 years ago

I have the same problem as Tim, Michael and Corina. Recdisc.exe asks for the windows disk. If you posted a reply, I cannot find it. I have software which only will run on an old Vista PC. It will not boot half the time and wants to go to startup repair. Like Tim, Michael and Corina, I need help for my old PC.

I created system repair disc (6 discs total) few years ago. Now my hard drive FAILED (bad sector). How can i restore my Vista to a new hard drive using these system repair discs? Can somebody please give me a step by step procedure from BOOT? my technical level is LOW :) thanks a lot in advance.

Tim4 years ago

Sounds great. But during the create disc process it asks for my install disk…which I thought was the point of this article: not having an install disk. I’m just planning to move to an SSD and understand I need the recovery disk to do the boot repair on the clone. That’s all I need. Thanks.

Thank you very much – great blogs.

ranjit5 years ago

My pc on window 8 instal but now it is automatic repair mode i have not window 8 diskplz tell me how can repair it

Microsoft Vista Boot Disk Download

I was able to follow the instructions and install recdisc on a 32-bit Vista computer using the Manual option. I verified that the version of recdisc on my computer is the version I installed today. However, when I run recdisc I get the following error message:
“The selected disc cannot be used. The disc which you selected does not contain a valid Windows installation. Do you want to try a different disc?”
When I hit the “No” button, I get the message:
“Unable to create a recovery disc. A recovery disc cannot be created without the Windows installation disc.”
Any suggestions?

Joe6 years ago

In Vista using the instructions for UAC on, it says the file location does not contain the file selected to be replaced.
Only shows folders no programs.
The old Recdisc.exe is visible using Win Explorer but not in Se7en.

Hi Raymond, thanks for the information. However, on Windows Vista, recdisc asks to insert the Windows installation drive (after Create disc). Is it something I’ve done wrong, or is this version of Vista (Home Premium, SP2)?

Mura6 years ago

thank you.. Easy to use n done!!

Hi Raymond,
Would you please help me in the following matter! I run windows Vista Basic Home x32bit on an Acer Aspire. After I ran CCleaner, I cannot boot the system, message “An error occured while attempting to read the boot configuration data. File:BootBCD. Status: Oxc000000f”. I downloaded an iso file with vista, but the only option I got through Acer Recovery is to install Vista from scratch. I do not want to lose all my files!!! But Acer does not have an option to “Repair your computer” only to “Install Windows”. What should I do? I lost many nights trying to fix it! Please, please help!

Chris Lilly6 years ago

I have a Acer aspire v3-731 win 8 don’t know if win 8.1
My daughter put a login password on it and has forgot what it is!!!!!
I can get to other bios settings and change the boot sequence but I don’t have a recovery flash drive. I have spotmau and hirens disc but to no avail I can’t get the laptop to boot from the disc.. I’m ready to throw this laptop in the pool…. Any suggestions…..

Quite informative. thank you

Anders13 years ago

Microsoft Boot Disk Create

Thanks Raymond, it worked great!

thanks Raymond for this good informative blog!!