A good webpage on this .....
Hands-On with Windows 8.1: System Recovery
http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/hands-windows-81-system-recoveryAnother link, How To:
Windows 8.1 Create a USB recovery drive
Windows 8.1 includes a built-in tool to create a USB recovery drive.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-usb-recovery-driveI have not upgraded to 8.1 and do not intend to. Microsoft seems to have consistently try and make things more user friendly since Vista for "computer dummies" and "computer illiterates" (meant friendly). This has been a real aggravation to very experienced XP users and forward. Rearranging and hiding many hands-on areas for computer maintenance and security. This is of course profit oriented and thus they have tried to automate everything as much as possible for the new generation of users and security-wise as well ( in other words getting people who feel they could never learn how to use a computer to buy one hearing how easy they are to use).
Unfortunately many users treat a PC as just another electronic toy in the house and if it doesn't work it is at the bottom of the closet somewhere. Others are too afraid or lazy and do not get involved in any security or restore/re-installation procedures of How To until it is way too late - it is broken and won't go. Now the crash course of how to fix it or the scaredy cats will drop it off at a PC Repair Shop and pay hundreds for what is free to fix things.
From a security stand point, that is talking malware infections, it is NEVER recommended to reinstall Windows with all softwares - and particularly if you know you have suffered infection. The malware payload (viruses, trojans, worms, spyware etc) may have infected many softwares along with the Windows Operarting System. To reinstall these is simply reinstalling all the malware infections. It is recommended when safe removal of malware infections was not possible, or even some zero day threat was successful etc, to wipe the disk completely and reinstalling Windows to Factory Fresh (like you would buy a new PC). Then after scanning softwares with quality antimalware one by one - reinstall the softwares.
Of course the plus side of Windows 8 are the recovery options, and for the experienced who know how to and use quality antimalware and know there system and files are clean, then these Recovery options allowing re-installation of all softwares and files and Windows is a no brainer. Why that would be necessary (to reinstall Windows) would be less than a blue moon instance, but even the most experienced can make a mistake and deleted or messed up Windows some how and would be necessary. But again here, if softwares and files (other than Windows) were infected, it is just reinstalling malware infection with everything else.
I have run a security site since 2005 so I hope I made a logical point here about restoration procedures. The true bottom line is simply using a high quality antimalware product that alleviates much of paranoia and tasks.
Sorry in advance for any length, and I should have made the point first that I operate 8.0 and it is new to me what you have questioned about 8.1 recovery options. I would seriously doubt that Windows 8.1 can not be backed up to a CD/DVD Emergency Recovery Disk. This would be the first time in history that is not possible, and 8.1 turns into the white elephant Vista became.
If you are an experienced Windows user, then you know what others do - all the great wonderful Recovery options built in are so appealing on paper or ads. In reality we all know how malware destroys anything in the box (PC), or leaves no access. Here obviously malware writers will attack these very options to corrupt or block them. Thus the outside the box (PC) Recovery has to be prepared and made.
QUESTION: Has this disappeared in 8.1?
Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Create a Recovery Drive.
Check out my Blog post - are you unable to do these?
http://bluecollarpc.us/2013/09/13/options-how-to-reset-refresh-reinstall-windows-8/A new PC may or may not come with an Emergency Recovery CD/DVD which reinstalls Windows to Factory Fresh. If not, they generally have a built in software to do it. Didn't you get one of these? Have you looked for the software from the computer manufacture to do it?
If all else fails, what is the problem anyway with using an USB Drive for the task, or just curiosity?
gerald philly pa usa
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