Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download

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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 disc with your purchase. Instead, they bundle what they call a “recovery disc” (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 Windows Vista 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.

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NeoSmart Technologies is hosting a copy of a Windows Vista Repair CD for your convenience. It contains the contents of the Windows Vista DVD’s “recovery center,” as we’ve come to refer to it. It cannot be used to install or reinstall Windows Vista, and just serves as a Windows PE interface to recovering your PC. It is a 120 MiB download, and in the standard ISO format. Please note that this download is no longer free, due to licensing restrictions imposed upon us.

Download Links

Windows Vista Recovery Discs (x86/x64)

Windows 7 Recovery Discs (x86/x64)

You’ll need to burn this ISO image to a CD or DVD before you can use it as a bootable recovery medium. 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.

2,558 thoughts on “Windows Vista Recovery Disc Download”

  2. Thank you for the links to repair our computer, but I can’t help but feel offended at having to pay for something that I should have had in the first place.

    It’s like buying a car, and then having to pay extra for the keys…

  3. I agree with Deb, but I think a better comparison is buying a car and having to pay for the jumper cables. Less than ideal, but a bit more realistic.

  4. If you don’t have a backup to restore from, this disk doesn’t do it for you. Please let me know if I am mistaken.

  5. Actually, Mike, restore from backup is just one of the many features that this disc offers. There are numerous repair and recovery tools/utilities available for use on this CD.

  6. Mahmoud, I have a bad registry. It needs to be rebuilt. I was not able to find that as an option with this disk. I do not have an original install disk or partition to work from and the back ups are non-existant. If I have missed something please point me toward the right place.

  7. Malmoud-

    I got the ‘boot disk failure. insert disk & hit enter’ for my compaq cq5112f pc. I pd the $9 & downloaded the windows vista 64 bit recovery cd. Inserted the disk, tried the automated repair & got ‘startup repair cannot repair automatically’. I then launched the command prompt and saw x:\windows\system32>. When I tried to type in the prompt of ‘bootrec.exe /fixmbr’, it didn’t understand the command.

    2 questions:

    1) Did I download the wrong version of the recovery? I downloaded the 64 bit, but I see in the prompt that it says ‘system32′ – should I have downloaded the 32 bit version of the recovery cd?

    2) When I was at the command prompt, was I supposed to see x:\windows\system32? What should I do from there?

    Anyone who could offer some advice – I’d greatly appreciat it!

  8. @Vshen
    1. Get your local computer geek to fix it for you
    2. I guess you need to find bootrec.exe. Try “dir”, “cd ..”, “A:”, “B:” Have fun ;)

  9. “These discs do not contain setup files, and cannot be used to install Windows from scratch.”

  10. This ISO should be free. But its not. Anyway, I read: “These discs do not contain setup files, and cannot be used to install Windows from scratch.”

  11. I don’t know if this will help anyone else, but I got sick of trying boot disks that wouldn’t work and I refused to pay for something I should have already got.

    I went into setup and ticked an option that allowed it to boot from the Hard drive (F12 on my HP desktop computer using Vista as OS).

    I figured I was lucky to even get that far, and if I’d got a boot disk the chances are I would have lost stuff anyway, so from there I reformatted the C drive and it’s been running like a dream since 30 August.

  12. there is no one out there can upload acer recovery original dvd 1+gb into free file hosting…. acer think only profits than to help users!!

  13. Meek -

    I ran out of patience. I called Compaq and they walked me thru the diagnostic. I ended getting a BIOS-HD2(?) error with the comment of ‘no hard drive’. The rep said I needed a new hard drive. I still needed to retrieve my data that I never backed up (yeah, yeah – lesson learned) so I brought my cpu into Staples who said that they would do a diagnostic on the computer and if they can’t fix it, they’ll apply my same fee to a data recovery. I just can’t be bothered with figuring out anymore on my own. I now only have 1 functioning laptop for a family of four (imagine that!). I ended up buying a new computer just in case Staples can’t figure out how to fix it.

    Thanks anyway to everyone who responded.

  14. Donna
    u should download daemon tools lite and mount the image on virtual drive it will solve the problem

  15. I need a Vista Recovery Disc. Went to your page to buy the 32 bit version and received a cannot locate page.

    How do I get a copy?

  17. I has an error—stop:c0000135 unable to locate
    consr applivation.re-intalling may fix this problem. this on a blue creen. I seach and google need restore CD, my Gateway copy cd vista x64 is only to clean all comp and reinstall facoty. so I buy you the cd and try to use restore system and doesn’t alous me to use it it ask me to use comand prompt and in comand promp tell me that I’m using a limited diagnostic to open system restore and then again it is limited and can NOT perform the restore…why I can’t…need the restore to be able to open or load my windos vista…can you explain me how to do it?

  19. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou for helping to fix my computer, Got the disk and it fixed my computer. I didnt want to wipe the drive as I had loads of my life on it.

  20. due to virus problum we have to clean hard dics so we lose vista software what can i do

  21. Bought the download.. installed the imgburn software.. burnt the CD.. put it in my sony vaio and hey presto problem sorted :)))) best £6 i’ve spent in ages!!! Thanks so much…

  22. I downloaded the software and tried it on both of my vista laptops, one a gateway and one a toshiba and I still keep getting the bootmgr missing error.

  24. Hello I downloaded the album yesterday after payment, I burned with nero I have always worked well for iso. In fact I’ve tried it on another computer that works the autorun window and it worked but when I put it on the computer that lacks the bootmgr and autorun starts and configured via BIOS and I have to read the CD first, I downloaded 64-bit program and my computer is a hp, someone can tell me if the download was defective or did I miss something wrong. Needless to say we do not want to start the normal recovery of the computer so I would not format the hard drive made ​​by that because I’m missing bootmgr boot disk fomateo briefly what abort the operation. I hope your comments.

  26. I have mislaid the recovery disk set that shipped with my Sony VGN-FZ240E laptop. It is running Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 but recently due to an improper shutdown something in the registry got corrupted. I have backed up the entire Windows partition to an external USB disk using Ubuntu 10.04LTS startup disk, but there are still three files unaccounted for, out of over 360,000. The folks at Sony are telling me I have to buy their recover disk set for $30, which will “restore my system to the factory installed condition” i.e. erase all my data, my linux partition , and all my software, so that I will have to spend many additional hours reinstalling all the software and then reloading all the data from the backup and reinstalling the Linux partition. It is total nonsense of course. There is a recovery partition but it only contains around 850 files – I backed that up to the external drive as well. What I need is a no nonsense disk that can restore a working version of the registry and allow Windows to boot and restore to the last known good configuration. Without losing all my data and programs.
    What are your recommendations?

  28. Why can’t they let it go free T___T I can’t fix my laptop. Im so desperate ryt now xD

  29. Hi there folks ! I have a an easy way to access your DVD or ISO file or BOOTING : HP has a BOOT menue :
    PAVILLION or Compaq : when the BIOS starts press ESC and then you will have an option to choose which HARDWARE shall start. If you know the drives name (CD ROM or DVD) you put your DVD in, you just highlight this by scralling down to the name (It can be you HARD DISK OR EVEN A USB Stick) and press enter. The other way is to enter BIOS and make sure that your first BOOT DRIVE is your DVD player, then Floppy and 3rd HARD DISK, press then F 10 and reboot. ANOTHER WAY is to use POWER ISO a highly recommended program that can extrect all the files so you can see what the ISO file contains, there you can see if you have a BOOT and AUTO Start included. CORDIALLY Teddy Grimstad

  30. Mr Martin Willcoks ATTENTION Have you tied to boot it in safe mode ? Or is totaly dead ? If you have access to SMS you can send me your number and I will call you to help you out.
    send an SMS to +358440881952 I have ways to deal wit HASTA LA “VISTA”. I´ll be hearing from you. Cordially Teddy Grimstad

  31. Re Teddy Grimstad: I have tried all of the boot options available by pressing F8 on boot-up and in every case it returns to the message that the registry file is missing or corrupted. The computer has a recovery partition, but the Sony recovery disk will only restore it to the factory state. That is not a satisfactory option. The computer is a Sony Vaio VGN-FZ240E model and has had automatic updates to Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 – The factory condition would mean reinstalling all of the many Windows Updates, and reinstalling all the software other than the original Sony utilities that came with it. Early this year it had a virus that infected the boot-up and caused it to display a screen that recommended scanning it with a bogus program and would not allow any other programs to work – Best Buy Geek Squad repaired it but I doubt if they maintained a backup of the computer this long after the repair. Restoring to the factory condition is unacceptable. The error message reads:

    File: \windows\system\config\system
    Status: 0xc000014c
    Info: Windows failed to start because the system registry file is missing, or corrupt.

    The messages I’ve been reading here are not encouraging – they appear to indicate that the only solution is to go back to the factory condition. apply all of the Windows updates (several days worth) and then reinstall my Linux OS and partitioning, then try to recover the programs that were installed from the backup. At this point I’m not convinced that buying the $10 recovery disk is going to work, and certain that buying the $30 Sony recovery disks will not provide a solution I can live with, in which case I’d probably be better off buying a new computer and installing only the software for which I know I have installation disks. It will NOT be a Sony, nor an HP, since both of those companies have short-changed me in this respect.

    I would like to know specifically what file(s) in C:\Windows\System\Config\System make up the registry and whether there is a way to repair these files using those in the linux backup or booting to a known good restore point (it will not do this currently.)

  32. Re:Teddy Grimstrad
    Hello I have a Pavilion as you indicate, had put through the BIOS option to boot from CD but nevertheless I tried the menu option by pressing ESC while turning the unit and select the cd / dvd and nothing does not start with the cd purchased in this site, and is well recorded only that at least on my computer not used to start, and that it is to repair the boot. They promised me help, I was asked to send a service technician emai page and has already been a month of this and still no computer, I’m studying and I can scroll through the computer in a family pays me but I need my computer with my programs and my data. I feel ignored and what is worse than I paid for nothing.

  33. I was not able to download the cd and i paid for it. I would like my money back or my cd

    Thanks

  36. I’m tired of waiting and waiting and no response, I’ve lost count of the posts you’ve published, and I sent emails to the support address….. and I never respond, only the first time to give me the email. That month and a half ago and I’m tired but I need my computer and its contents to study, do not ignore me, I’m writing from the computer of a relative who serves me my files which neither has nor course have my programs. So give me a solution to the problem or I want my money. I think I’ve been other patients with you and I’m tired of waiting.

  38. Impossible because the day I wrote the first email to her not to go to the spam folder I put it as secure email and added it to my contact list, so for me writing to the address that I wrote that I have no echo would have received the email perfectly in my inbox. Only a few days ago wrote that Teddy Grimstrad a supposed solution to Confucian hp pavilion but not the solution and put a post commenting on it. But he had already spent a month at that post, without word, and since I said I did not worked so far more or less than fifteen days without news, and my email works perfectly. I need my computer urgently told from the first post so I ventured to buy the cd.

  39. Hello,

    Thanks for your information here. I am very new at these things so please bear with me. I purchased the 64-bit for Windows Vista recovery disk download. Downloaded IMGBurn and used that. Figured out how to boot from the disc. Ran a scan (took a couple days to run!) Then I tried system restore. I got the following message: “To perform an offline System Restore, you must specify which Windows installation you would like to restore. For example, if the installation located in ‘C:\Windows’ should be restored, enter the following command: rstrui.exe /OFFLINE:C:\Windows.” But I have no idea where I am supposed to specify this or enter this command…..? Thanks in advance!

    Erica

  41. There is no place to choose an OS. (Believe me, I looked!) If I remember correctly it just popped in “Windows” – there was no drop down bar that worked or anywhere else to enter options.

    Thanks!

  42. This is for all of you “Home Users”. The TRICK OF THE COMPUTER TRADE, Saves you TIME and MONEY……..This is for most of you that Just go out and Purchase the Retail Version of your Operating System……..STOP DOING THAT !!!! Here’s the TRICK – Write down the MAKE, MODEL # and SERIAL # of your Computer…….CALL THE MANUFACTURER SALES DEPARTMENT……SPEND ANYWHERE FROM $20 to $30 for the OPERATING SYSTEM CD / DVD TO REINSTALL YOUR WINDOWS BASED OPERATING SYSTEM and this Also works with MAC PC’s also. STOP GOING OUT AND BUYING THE RETAIL VERSION that costs anywhere from $100 to $200 for the Upgrade or Full Version of Windows. The Cost is SMALL, but it SURE BEATS spending $100′s of dollars on Repairs Etc…Etc… Anyone needing any help or have any questions about Computer Repairs Please contact me if you’d like to.

  43. Uhhh…. that’s what most people are doing already Steve.

    To my knowledge, no one has gone out and bought the retail version to fix their current problem.

    Perhaps you should read comments first?

  44. Hi,

    I have the same problem as Erica, there is no operating system to choose from wher it says ‘load drivers’ or ‘next’
    Please Help

  47. I have recently tried installing Service Pack 1 on to Vista, and in the middle of the install, it crashed and the pc will not start up at all. Is there anything on this disk that could help?

  50. I just downloaded the CD and inserted it while turning on the computer. It says “insert boot cd and press enter” I do that it doesnt seem to read the CD. I have a macbook and that is what I used to burn the CD. Did I do it wrong? I dont want to be impatient and completely wipe out my computer. I havent used it in over a year, but it will be nice to have to give my pro a rest.

  51. i’m feel stupid,i just bought the wrong system,i meant to buy a x86 but i bought a x64,can anyone help me? i have no clue what to do now

  52. This reply comment is for Debosophy, I read your comment to my post on this site.I have read all the thereads of what’s people are having issues with. On this site, there are 2 seperate downloads 1 for Vista Recovery and 1 for Windows 7 OS. If you are having any trouble with your Operating System, and / or need any repairs, Windows Vista comes either 32 bit, or 64bit, If your hard drive doesn’t recognise the software, then your DVD/CDROM drive may need to be replaced. Or your Hard Drive has gone bad and will not accept any operating system. Why are people still “DOWNLOADING” any recovery disc/s ? Just call the manufacturer and request to purchase the Factory Image of whatever Operating system your computer came installed with. This shouldn’t cost you anymore than $20 or $30 USD, or whatever your location is. If your computer does not recognise the DVD for the Operating system replace your DVD ROM. If you do this and still get no results, then Replace your HARD DRIVE.

    To Chris, who posted about system start up issue. Maybe your Power Supply isn’t working anymore. You may need to replace your Power supply in your PC. Laptop Batt. Cost around $80 Desktop Batt. Replacement Cost around $50 USD.

    To Erica, who posted about Where to insert the Command Line specifically stated : rstrui.exe /OFFLINE:C:\Windows. You should go to “Start” then “Run”. In the Empty box on run screen you would enter that command line for the Recovery. Here is a Link to provide you with information on how to do this; http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

    This Post is for Simon, It is possible that when you downloaded the ISO and attempted to burn it, that your MACBOOK does not have the proper CODEC required to run the DVD / CD as an .EXE file. Therefore your system will not recognise the DVD/CD in which to run the installation.

    This is for FAROUK, If your Hard Drive or the Partition of your Hard Drive has been wiped clean or corrupted. If the partition is Corrupted – Replace the Hard Drive, if the Partition is Missing, just perform a “FORMAT” on the black screen that should open up when you start your system. Here is a Link for you to recover your Partition within Windows XP or Windows Vista and even Windows 7.

  55. Hello, Ihave a problem wtih windows vista loading on Toshiba L300. I bought the x86 created bootable disk and although I get to Windows boot manager and it asks me to insert Windows instllation disk which I dont have. I get option to start Windows setup OS the next screen, but when I select this it goes back to the “insert windows installation disk screen again,” I am at a loss on what to do now ??

  56. I have a acer Aspire vista and it reads ” NTLDR is corrupt. The system cannot boot” Tried everything to restore it. will this disc work?

  58. Mahmoud, can you please send me the link for the download again? I am going to use a windows computer now with the recommended software to burn the disc. THanks

  59. hi

    i have dell xps 720 h2c. after reseting it by bios to factory settings i and formatting c drive i can boot my vista 32bit. it tells me ‘bootmgr is missing”.

    my f8 and ctrl f11 doesn’t work for some reason.

    i tried fixing it by vista cd but it didn’t work out since the automatic repair doesn’t work. i tried the command promp to fix the boot but it didn’t work as well.

    i believe that the problem is that i erased the recovery partition of vista on my hard drive and maybe some of the drives since when i want to install vista it shows me the hard drives but can’t find drivers for them to install vista

    will the recovery cd solve my problem? or is there any other alternative help here?

    thank you

  61. Hello,

    I meant to purchase the Vista recovery disk, however got the Windows 7 version. (I thought I chose the right link but maybe I’m wrong.) Is it possible to switch?

    Thanks!

    Xu

  63. Problem solved! My laptop is up and running again. Thanks for your great product and excellent tech support.

  64. This Comment is for Farouk. I apologise for not putting the link in my previous comment to you on PARTITION RECOVERY. Here is the Link for you this time.
    http://www.partition-recovery.com/

    What you may need is a Thumb Drive since new PC’s do not have floppy drives anymore. You need to FORMAT the C:/ drive from DOS program. DOS is a Language that was used years ago. You may remember. it’s function is use to Delete Partitions and Create New Partitions on a “WORKING HARD DRIVE” so the HDD will accept the INSTALL of an OS. If you don’t purchase the OEM Operating System Software specific to your PC, then you will need to purchase a Retail version, unless you already have a BOOTABLE / .EXE version.

    I’ve dealt with MANY and when I say Many I mean ALOT of clients that came to me with a Broken / Crashed PC after attempting to COPY a Windows Operating System from Friends / Family. Just because you have a DVDRW / CDRW does not mean that you can just burn a COPY of a WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM to another DVD / CD and have it work for you or anyone. It’s recommended, 99% of the time it doesn’t work. ORDER the Operating System Software specific to you PC.

  65. This comment is for Polaco. “Boot MGR Missing”
    I am going to provide you the correct way to perform the recovery of this as long as you have the ORIGINAL OPERATING SOFTWARE that came preinstalled on your PC or a Retail version.

    1. Insert your Windows Vista disk into your DVD player and restart your computer.
    2. The next screen you see, should have the Language, Time and Currency and Keyboard boxes.
    In the lower left side there are two options: “What to know before installing Windows” and “Repair your computer.”
    Click on “Repair your computer”
    Windows will then try to find the installation directory for Vista or Windows 7, depending on what you have.
    Next up is a screen with a box called Recovery Options. Click the first option, Startup Repair.
    You’ll see a Startup Repair box with the message “Startup Repair is checking your system for problems…”
    When it’s done, it will prompt you to reboot. If there is more than one problem it may reboot again to continue repairing.
    At this point, you can remove the DVD, reboot and everything should be working.
    If it not working, then you will need to Perform a FULL OPERATING SYSTEM RECOVERY from your Operating System Software such as Vista or Windows 7

  66. Huero, Here is some basic information along with Mahmouds post to your problem with the NTLDR being corrupt.

    You can use your Windows Recovery Console to fix a missing or damaged NTLDR file.
    1. Boot from your Windows operating system CD/DVD. I recommend you use a version that matches the OS service pack installed on your system (i.e. if you have Vista SP2, use a Vista SP2 DVD).

    For Windows 7/Vista, go to the Vista/Windows 7 Recovery Console . Using the option “Startup Repair” should take care of it, and replace the NTLDR missing / corrupt file.

  67. Hi There ~
    I purchased and ran the Windows Vista 32-Bit Recovery CD from you and followed the instructions located here: http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Windows+Bootloader+from+the+DVD. I ran through ALL of the steps (including Nuclear Holocaust) and am now stuck. Here’s the last string I ran at the Command Prompt:
    bootrec.exe /fixmbr
    The operation was completed successfully.
    bootsect.exe /nt60 all /force
    Target volumes will be updated with BOOTMGR compatible bootcode.
    C:
    Successfully updated NTFS filesystem bootcode.
    D:
    Successfully updated NTFS filesystem bootcode.
    F:
    ***So far so good I thought, but this was followed by:***
    Could not open the volume root directory:
    The parameter is incorrect.
    ***Then it said: Bootcode was successfully updated on at least one volume.
    Then I tried typing the following:
    X:\windows\system32>attrib -h -s C:\boot\BCD
    X:\windows\system32>del C:\boot\BCD
    X:\windows\system32>bcdedit /createstore c:\boot\bcd.temp and was given the following reply:
    **The store creation operation has failed.
    The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.**

    From there, all of the commands I gave it failed (ie. store creation operation failure, boot configuration data store could not be opened, store import operation failed, system cannot find the file specified, etc.)

    Any advice on what to try next? I’m at a total loss on what to do to restore my system… Please advise and thank you in advance! :o)

  68. This is for Farouk, I got the new download link, thanks. I burnt the CD properly, and my computer is now finally reading it.
    This is for Steve/Farouk. However, when I want to perform the system restore, it goes to a window that says “Recovery Essentials” and I click on “Attempt to Repair”. It does its thing unsuccessfully. And then comes up with a window to launch command prompts. My question is, is there a way to do this using the command prompt? I am getting a little frustrated with this. I am considering just deleting the entire files and doing a full system recovery

  69. 4 steve

    1st of all thx steve.

    i tried that like 6 times and every time it tells me that the system can’t repair. i try fixing the boot mgr by command promo as well but no :(

    what’s the problems i guess is that when i did the factory reset setting and format of hard drives i completely erased the recover partition of my vista on my pc so now it doesn’t find it and doesn’t allow me to instal vista by its dvd what i found kind of awkward btw.

    when i try to instal vista I’m stuck eighter with the empty window when it ask me which operating system to instal, it also ask me for the drivers for the hard drive that i can’t find.

    other when it gives me 2 hard drives to chose when to instal it on if i select any of them does allow me to go next cuz it says that windows haven’t found hard drive meeting criteria for installation.

    the recovery cd help a bit since it allows me to at least get to the f8 option but still it does not work.

    i believe that i need drivers for my hard drive and than restore my recovery partition on my hard drive but i can’t find it :(

    thank you and please help if you can

  70. hello i just purchased a vista recovery disc. i burned it to the cd, but it did not work. I followed “Recovery Essentials”, attempt automated repair, and nothing….:(

  71. Startup repair could not detect a problem……:( Can you assist me further, or I would like my money back if it is possible.

  73. Thank you for your response, Mr. Mahmoud Al-Qudsi. Are you saying that I did not need this windows vista recovery disc that I just purchased???

  75. Simon, instead of taking 2 – 4 hours or even 4 days to fix an issue, I would strongly recommend just install your PC back to Factory Settings to get a fresh start with your PC. That’s what I learned over the past 15 years in business. Trying to fix issues without the proper techniques / software. I just finally gave up and reinstalled the Operating system. It’s much easier and ALOT less time consuming. I’d hate to hear that old addage “time to see if this thing has wings”. :)

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