Download our recovery and repair disk for Microsoft Windows Vista (also available for Windows 7, 8, XP, 10, 11 or Windows 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.
Download recovery disk for Windows Vista
Looking for recovery disks for other Windows versions?
- Download Windows 7 recovery disk
- Download Windows 8 (and 8.1) recovery disk
- Download Windows XP recovery disk
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.
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
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.
Download Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows Vista
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.
HP
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.
Windows 8
You can also get the recovery disk 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.
my keyboard and mouse work, but I computer will not boot, so I bought the CD, boot to fix a boot problem, but it turns off the the mouse and keyboard, so on the screen it has select a recovery option, but I can not select (dell Studio Windows Vista)
Got this to work after spending hours in Vista nightmare world………. Nice tool!
A lifesaver. Fast, accurate, flawless.
It does take a little while for the mouse to work when you get to the screen where you select action/buttons, and I kinda paniced at first, but the function came back just fine after a handful of seconds “freeze” and allowed me to mousepad over to the “Recovery”-button and push it. From there on, a breeze.
Worth every cent. Thanks!!
I have the downloaded Newosmarts recovery file pgm and put it on CD for my Vista system. Prior to re-insalling my original Vista system I copied my entire Vista hard drive via drag and drop to an external drive. Will Newosmarts recovery file pgm help me to use this copy to an external drive to recover my system and pre installed programs and files?
@Beverly Yes, there’s an option to copy and paste files from/across drives.
I think I had a virus on my computer and now my windows vista is unable to start, the launch windows startup repair was unable to fix the problem, I need to get my computer up and running to get my pictures and files off. I am afraid I am going to do the wrong thing and erase my pictures and videos. Does anyone know how to fix this without erasing any files?
Carol, the recovery CD will let you copy the pics from your hard drive to an external disk or email.
My Dell laptop – windows vista won’t boot up, continue to run the booting loop. How to make recovery cd/dvd to reboot the laptop without loosinf the data? Thanks!
Ok, so heres my deal… after many days of trying to restore my machine and following numerous sites with hints and tips, i resided to purchasing a copy of vista recovery disc.
I have a HP Probook 4710s which has had a virus and I am trying to take it back to original state.
I have lost any discs that may of came with it in a house fire back in 2010, only backup I have is on an external hard drive, which the computer doesn’t reboot from.
I don’t have the ‘Repair you Computer’ option in F8 and have followed info on the recdisc.exe put continually asks for installation disc which i don’t have.
Downloaded the Active ISO Burner as suggested and wrote vista recovery disc to disc. Restarted machine, but all i get is the initial black screen with hp logo and message ‘press esc key for menu’ (which doesn’t work anyway) and it jams there, only way past this is to turn off start again and i’m no further ahead. Can anyone please suggest where to next. Eagerly await responses
Lisa, it sounds like the ISO image was not burned correctly to the CD. Please follow *exactly* these instructions. If you keep having problems, send an email to support@systemdiscs.com
@Sarah and anyone else having a frequency out of range or input out of range issue, send an email to support@systemdiscs.com for a different version.
Thank you, Mahmoud…have the new version in hand! Will inform how it goes! Thx!
Does what it claims to do. Best $9 I ever spent! Highly recommended.
OK I am about to throw this laptop out the window. Its a 4 year old ACER 5315 that caught a virus and was just about dead, but at least I could get to Safemode.
What I think you guys need is screenshots. From reading the comments, it seems to work for some, and not others, but I have no idea what I should be seeing.
First of all, the downloaded ISO was 41 MB, not 120 MB as stated here:
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/
Anyway, I burned the ISO to a DVD and put it in the drive. Great. Then when I turn on the machine (and re-set to boot from the DVD from BIOS menus), the initial menu comes up and flashes past and then a bunch of command lines go past starting with boot/bzimage then boot/rooftfs.gz, and then I get the Windows Recovery Essentials menu option.
I chose Automated Repair – Continue, then Automated Repair and that seemed to do something useful ‘Successfully reinstalled and reconfigured boot-related files’.
So, now, when I re-start the laptop and (after changing the BIOS back to boot from the laptop instead) it boots from itself. I get a long ‘Please Wait’, and then ‘Other User’ log in screen.
Anyone want to give me a clue what the ‘other user’ log on and password is, because none of the ones I would normally use work. So I’m locked out and F8 doesn’t work.
If I go back the log on via the DVD, I get what looks like an Ubuntu user interface, with ‘Applications’ at the bottom left.
Without any idea what to do after all this (as it’s not listed on website above), I have guessed I need to run EasyBCD. Great, but how? I cannot run it from the (possible) Ubuntu interface (no ‘run’ command seems to work), I cannot run it from a USB with the program installed, and as noted above I cannot access Safe Mode.
So, basically, I am completely stuck. I think I need to get it to boot ‘back’ to Windows, but not to the ‘Other User’ log on. I cannot access Safe Mode. I cannot do anything with the (possible) Ubuntu) interface.
Any clues?
I am getting this message in the windows boot manager black screen message. ..
Windows failed to start. a recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.]
2. Choose your language setting, and then click “next.”
3. Click “Repair” your computer.”
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
File: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000000f
Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.
How can I replace the application if such is missing and how can I repair the corrupt files if anything is correct without losing any of my files, or favorite websites visits, and installed software in order for me to get to them and back them up they are back up on the internal hard drive……I am hoping that I will not lose or have not lost anything.
Can anyone here help me out
The issues with “the selected partition does not contain a valid windows installation. You?ve either selected a data drive, or the volume has been formatted and cannot be repaired” have been resolved. Contact support@systemdiscs.com if you’re still having this issue.
Hello,
Having same problem as “Andrew on June 9, 2012 at 11:31 pm”… I have a “other user” logon screen… Is there a fix for this?
Thanks
The “other user” issues happens if you restore an incorrect restore point.
I just purchased your program.
My HP desktop does not boot, stays stuck on the initial blue HP screen.
I made an image (iso) copy of EasyRe for Windows.iso, put the CD in the computer, started up, and NOTHING HAPPENS!
I’m back at the initial blue screen!
Are there any key combinations I should be using when booting up?
Tks.
hi mahmoud, i hv this blue screen problem.
STOP: 000021a {FATAL SYSTEM ERROR}
can your recovery disc help to repair my Vista startup?
I have a compaq and recently replaced the hard drive due to OEM hard drive failed. I have a back-up, a boot disk, but no recovery disk(s). I had upgraded to windows 7 through a promo offered by hp in 2009. I have the HP Windows 7 upgrade disk, uprade assistant, and MS Windows 7 SP1 disk. What I have gathered I must reinstall Windows Vista, yes I have my product key, The upgrade disks to Windows 7 do not have a product key just a part number. I do not have a Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit disk, since it was preloaded on the new PC. I admit I am having a heck of a time with this situation and would appreciate step-by-step instructions on how to reinstall Vista, so I can upgrade to Windows 7.
Marty, and everyone else with the “Other User” issue: you’ve restored an incorrect system restore point. Try restoring another one.
I downloaded the x386 version and burnt the cd, allfine. However when the machine boots it loads a whole of text with [ok] messages at various points in then appears to load a graphical window but all that happens is a grey screen with a whit cross in the middle of it and goes no further, the setup menu never appears.
Lack of documentation (pdf,etc) is very frustrating.
Ran WinRe, files loaded, menu came up. I chose Automatic Repair. Said “Successful”. Now Restart.
I restarted but left cd in laptop because I wasn’t given any instruction either way. Files loaded again and then stopped with this message ? Welcome to your box. Slitaz boot time 6s
winre login : ?
No idea what to do.
What does that mean?
Gary, just eject the CD and restart.
I just ordered the program and finally can get my computer to do something, BUT, when I try to do Automatic Repair, I get an error indicating there is no hard disk – but there is, a brand new one was put in due to my other hard drive dying… I’m lost… please help.
DAWN : make sure your BIOS is set up to discover the new HDD if it isn’t it won’t be detected when the install begins. Hope that helps
I had the “configuring updates 3 of 3” continually looping on my computer. My Dell did not come with a installation CD and so I downloaded this onto a blank CD and it worked! It stopped looping. It was like that over a week! Thank you so much!
I have a Dell Inspiron 1525. The disk appears to have failed, although parts of it are readable. I copied it to a brand new disk.
I have a Dell Vista “Already Installed on your System” disk. I attempted to repair the system with this disk, but it fails to repair the system.
My question is, does your repair disk provide MORE or BETTER tools for system recovery?
Anyone having issues with the CD, please send an email to support@systemdiscs.com
Hello
I would very much appreciate it if someone could reply to me, for i have been dealing with this problem for about 2 months. I have an HP Pavilion and it’s been burning out on me. I replaced my hard drive not knowing that HP was not going to have any Windows Vista recovery discs for my system. My question is, will this Windows Vista Recovery download, get Vista back on my hard drive just as long as i have my original Windows Vista product key that came with my computer?
thnx in advance
Reply to AJ:
The Vista repair/recovery disk will not reinstall Vista for you. For that, you’ll need the original Vista installation disk, which most PC/notebook manufacturers do not include these days with the computer purchase. For you, I think the way forward is either to restore to factory default (via the recovery partition which is hidden on computers that do not come with installation disks), or to clone your old disk drive onto your new drive using an appropriate cloning software (eg. Acronis). To restore to factory default, refer to your original PC instructions manual – for some PCs, the hidden partition can be accessed by pressing the Alt key and F10 simultaneously). Once you’ve restored to factory default, you can restore your computer to a previously backed up position. Good luck!
Does your download disk for Vista allow me to run bootrec.exe? I am specifically concerned if it will support the /fixmbr, /fixboot and /rebuildBcd options manually from a command line.
I have the same problems, first of all Vista Sux! I like XP pro better than any other .
I got tired of messing around with this vista crap & problems & after you fix vista it will crash again its just a matter of time.
So I went to the c prompt found my files & pics I wanted to keep manually did a back up thru usb devices & saved everything I wanted to keep.
Then I did a complete format & wiped cleaned entire hard drive! Then scanned HD for errors or hd problems but all passed.
I then went in & partitioned hd into 3 even slices of pie 😉
One for OS, one for misc needed to run OS & last slice for backup & mirror of drive.
After formatting I went to c prompt & ran diskpart & did my slicing.
I have installed XP pro on this Acer lappy which is 3 years old & it is running great! I also added AVAST virus protection which I love! I have been with avast for years even was a beta tester with them & they rewarded me with pro ver. Never had a single virus or probs with them. I screwed up by not adding there backup program to this laptop in a timely manner which would have saved me but even still VISTA IS A TICKING TIME CRASH WAITING to happen. Sux sux & sux! Now what even makes it worse no one will help you all companies that had vista on there pc has elected not to extend there help desk services to fix vista for free, ACER IS THE WORSE! I was an acer customer for years but no longer I pleaded with acer customer service for help even showed them 13 years of service with them they didn’t care.
Anyway enuff ranting. Goodluck I would format & reinstall an OS on your pc anything but vista hell I thought microsoft ME VER was the worse but now wow vista is really weighing in. I was so desperate I almost installed windows 3.1 just to get away from Vista lol
GL.. 😉
hI,
Here`s my probleme. My pc`s a hp with window vista home premium. It had virus and i tried to fixe it by installing the upgrade disc which i got when i bought my compuert.But after installing it, i coudnt connect to the internetand there`s like nothing . its like the basic mode. so i want to ask if my computer could be fix with the recovery disc?thanks
I have a HP Pavillion g6 running win 7. The onboard startup recovery program freezes and safe mode also does not work. I have downloaded the recovery program and burnt to a DVD. The laptop boots from the dvd drive and I get the DOS screen where the files are unpacking etc. Just after this it says sending discover three times then screen flashes and goes black and the drive stops spinning. No option but to switch off. Please can you advise what is going wrong?
I have an ACER, had for several years was working fine, I or oneof kids lost the charger. The grandbaby has found the computer, I order a charger off ebay, it charges perfectly comes on fine, but now it ask for password. I have no idea what this password is, what can I do to bypass or reset password?
I have the same issue as Andrew on June 9, 2012 at 11:31 pm.
I ran the automated repair option, and I’m left with a laptop offering only an ‘other user’ login which doesn’t recognise my username/password…and I’m now unable even to boot into safe mode.
I haven’t restored any system restore point, let alone an incorrect one, which your responses to others suggest causes this issue.
My Dell came with Vista. I had Windows 7 put on it. I would like to put Vista back on. What should I do?
Curious if you changed your bios to boot from cd/dvd? You have to do that in order to do anything.
I paid the $10 for the disk which allowed me to grab personal files before cleaning the drive and loading windows 7. As for a repair or recovery of the windows operating system, that did not happen. Additionally, from what I have read thus far (after the purchase), that really was not the intent of the disk, though the sales pitch sure sounds it.
My daughter’s laptop(Gateway) has a Stop 0x000000ED (unmountable boot volume) error. She doesn’t know what system windows 7, vista, or xp is running on it. What do I do?
To Karrie; To know which windows version was on your daughter’s laptop, look at the stickers you should find the name of which Windows version
“other user” problem. I didn’t try to restore just automated repair. Help
If i download this can i copy my whole HDD to a external HDD then just use windows on the external????
Had the c000021a blue screen on my HP desktop running Vista – I am NOT a computer guy I would have died if my harddrive was gone so I couldn’t reinstall -but didnt have the money to spend for a professional.
I downloaded the disc, followed the instructions and had my computer running within 15 minutes. You made is so eazy.
YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!
I have a Sony Vaio with Vista on it and it seems that the driver for my GPU is corrupt or deleted all together. When i turn on my laptop it will start up like normal i will then get streaking blue lines and other glitches on the screen. then my pointer comes on like im waiting for the Windows logo to open and it never shows up eventually i will get a blue screen errors. Can the CD reinstall all my original drivers and registry?
Brenda did you manage to fix your computer? Mine is giving me exactly the same the message. I do know that we need a repair disc for a 32 bit system (the above forum refers to a 64 bit repair disc), but haven’t found the right link yet. Any suggestions?
I stupidly started a low level disk format on what I thought was my flash drive, but turned out to be my hard drive. I exited, but too late, my computer crashed and I needed a system disk.
Thank you thank you thank you. This was less than $10 extremely well spent.
I am getting this message in the windows boot manager black screen message. ..
Windows failed to start. a recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer.]
2. Choose your language setting, and then click ?next.?
3. Click ?Repair? your computer.?
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
File:\Boot\BCD
Status: 0xc0000034
Info: the windows boot configuration data file is missing required information
Please help. Its a Dell Vostro 200 Desktop with Windows Vista.
I don’t have the installation disc,this comp was given to me in this state.
Can I use this disk to mark a partition as active? I am getting “Windows is unable to find a system volume which meets its criteria for installation” error. As far as I can find I need to mark a partition as active to overcome, but I cannot do that with my Dell installation disk (Vista 64bit) and there is now nothing on the hard drive as it has been completely reformatted after malware nightmare. Can’t seem to find diskpart program or similar. Any advice?