Cannot create PC recovery USB (Windows 11)

[LiquidDeath9999]

I tried HP Cloud Recovery tools, it failed 7 times with 3 different USB sticks. I am trying to purchase recovery media, but it is not available at the support page for my PC. I have Linux installed and would like to go back to Windows 11.

I followed this document: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_4582338-4505832-16

[TheOldMan]

I looked at the link posted in the first post for "HP Consumer PCs - Obtaining PC recovery USB drives or discs"

Assuming you are trying "Create your own recovery media", notice the first requirement - Connect a 32 GB or larger USB flash drive to the computer.  In that scenario, it assumes the PC is still able to run Windows.

Next - try this for the HP Cloud Recovery tool.

Here is the link from the HP Cloud Recovery tool - the first step is to go to the Microsoft store

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mtks9pr7r3n?rtc=1&hl=en-us&gl=US

If that does not help, then typically the Media creation tool for Windows 11 will give you the media to install Windows 11.

https://pureinfotech.com/windows-11-22h2-download-media-creation-tool/

Once the install has completed, you can find the drivers for the PC, that the media may have missed from the HP support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/victus-by-hp-15l-gaming-desktop-pc-tg02-2000i/model/2101980074?...

It does not say it but , For the Windows 10 Media Creation tool, it says it needs to be a working Windows PC.  Since stated in the first post - " I have Linux installed " that might be the problem.

[LiquidDeath9999]

that is correct, i don't have any other PC with windows, i tried to create the HP Cloud Recovery USB using Parallels in my Mac, but that never worked. when i installed Linux in the HP Victus, it deleted the recovery partition. it seems my only option is to get the recovery midia. it is insane that in the past 20 years manufacturers aee making more and more difficult to get a hold of those. they used to come aa DVDs, then you could directly download, now you need to use a tool the takes 2 hours to error out, thus, we are here.

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

I would suggest finding a Windows PC - either from a friend or a public library to make the Recovery media either from the Microsoft store or make the Windows install media from the Media Creation site, also using a friend's PC or a library PC.  I think that would be the best bet.

[LiquidDeath9999]

From Old Man to Old Man, you were correct. Not sure why a virtual machine was not able to create the recovery USB, on a native Windows 11 it did and the PC is restored. Thank you so much!

[TheOldMan]

Glad it worked out for you.  Us Old folk stick together.  Glad to help.

[LiquidDeath9999]

I spoke too soon 😞 after several reboots it failed. I saved the error log file.

[LiquidDeath9999]

I was able to install Windows 11 from the ISO, the recovery failed, but I guess the drivers needed to install are in the partition it created. case closed!

[TheOldMan]

I suspect that I do not understand what might be happening.  Stated "I was able to install Windows 11" and then "the recovery failed"  If Windows 11 installed, what is the comment about recovery failed?  I do not understand.

[LiquidDeath9999]

Let me explain the sequence of events:

1/ I installed Linux in the PC, and it removed all partitions in the main SSD

2/ I decided to move back to Windows 11 because the games I play don't run great in Linux

3/ I tried to re-install Windows 11 with an USB I created with the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft

4/ It failed because it could not recognize the motherboard

5/ I researched a bit and the best way was to create a recovery USB with HP Cloud Recovery

6/ I tried to create one with Windows 11 running on a VM using Parallels in my Mac, but it errors out.

7/ It failed. Enter the Old Man, recommending to create the recovery USB in a native Windows PC, which I did not have, so I had to find one.

8/ Using native Windows 11 PC I was able to create the recovery USB

9/ I booted the PC with the recovery USB, and it run for a couple hours, but failed to finish, even though the main SSD now has several partitions. Windows 11 was not installed.

10/ Out of gut feeling, I tried to install Windows 11 directly booting from a USB I created with the ISO from Microsoft

11/ Success! This time, the Windows 11 installer was able to recognize the motherboard, I guess even though the recovery step did not install Windows 11 successfully, it created the partitions with the drivers the installer needed (my guess), because that is the only different thing from the initial state, which was a partition with Linux only.

thanks again, the HP Victus is back online with Windows 11.