USB Drives Compatible with HP CLOUD RECOVERY CLIENT

[venom_123]

Hi there!

I'm planning to use the HP Cloud Recovery Client to reinstall Windows on my HP ZBook 15 G5. While I'm not currently performing the recovery, I want to purchase a compatible USB flash drive in advance, but I’ll only be buying it after a few months — so I’m looking for options that are more future-proof and commonly available.

🧠 What I’ve already found:

• The PNY Attache 4 USB 2.0 32GB was recommended to me and is confirmed compatible — but it’s low on stock everywhere (only 1–2 left).

• The official HP Cloud Recovery Client manual shows a SanDisk Ultra 32GB USB being used.

• On HP’s official YouTube videos, I’ve seen them using the SanDisk Ultra 64GB USB.

• Other users online have shown success using SanDisk Cruzer Blade (32GB or 64GB).

❗ What I need:

Can someone please suggest USB flash drives (32GB or larger) that are fully compatible with the HP Cloud Recovery Client and known to work reliably without errors?

🔁 Optional (for helpful replies):

• If you’ve successfully created and booted an HP Cloud Recovery image with a specific model, please share the exact USB drive model name/number, size (e.g., 32GB/64GB), and whether it was USB 2.0 or 3.0.

• Mention if you had any errors or issues, or if it worked smoothly.

💡 Additional Info:

• I’ll be doing the recovery on a HP ZBook 15 G5 with a working internet connection.

• No recent software/driver changes right now, but I will be installing Windows 10 Pro using HP Cloud Recovery, then upgrading to Windows 11.

• Recovery image will be created in the future, so I’m collecting the most reliable options now.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[banhien]

@venom_123 

From the following information

             https://support.hp.com/sk-en/document/ish_4511095-4511141-16

You can use ANY standard USB-A flash drive. There are millions or even billions of them around . No need to do a fancy drive.

Regards.

[venom_123 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Banhien,

Thank you so much for the helpful reply and the reassurance about using any standard USB-A flash drive.

Just to confirm one final detail before I make a purchase later —
Would the SanDisk Ultra 32GB USB 3.0 flash drive (Model: SDCZ48-064G) be fully compatible with the HP Cloud Recovery Client?

It’s a basic USB-A drive, nothing fancy, and I’ve seen this exact model being used in HP’s official YouTube video. I just want to be 100% sure before I go ahead and buy it in a few months.

If it is not compatible can you please suggest a SPECIFIC USB that has worked 

Thanks again for your support — this will be my last question on this topic! 😊

Kind regards,
@venom_123

[banhien]

@venom_123 

Standard USB-A flash drives should work millions or even billions of them around including Sandisk. I remember now, I replied few your posts and you have been running around with few fancy drives. May I say again: please use pure, standard USB-A flash drives. 32GB is OK, you can use larger (capacity) but smaller may not enough.

Regards.