WinRE: what the Windows Recovery Environment is and how to open it

Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10.

What WinRE is

WinRE is a small, separate copy of Windows (based on Windows PE) stored in a file called Winre.wim, usually on a hidden recovery partition. Because it runs outside your normal Windows, it can repair startup problems, roll back updates or reset the PC even when Windows itself won’t load.

How to open WinRE when Windows starts

• Shift + Restart: open Start (or the sign-in screen), click the power icon, hold Shift and click Restart.
• Settings (Windows 11): Settings > System > Recovery, then Restart now next to Advanced startup.
• Settings (Windows 10): Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, then Restart now under Advanced startup.
• Command: in Command Prompt as administrator, run shutdown /r /o /f /t 0. The PC restarts straight into WinRE.

If BitLocker is on, WinRE may ask for your recovery key before some tools work. See where to find a BitLocker recovery key (the steps apply to any PC, not only Dell).

How to open WinRE when Windows won’t start

• Let it start automatically: after two failed boots in a row, Windows normally shows Preparing Automatic Repair and then WinRE. To force it, turn the PC on and, as soon as the Windows logo appears, hold the power button until it switches off. Do this twice; the third start should open recovery.
• Use installation media: boot from a Windows USB drive, choose your language, and click Repair your computer at the bottom left instead of Install now. This opens the same recovery menu, even when the one on your disk is missing or damaged.

What each recovery option does

After Choose an option, click Troubleshoot. You’ll see Reset this PC and Advanced options. Under Advanced options:

• Startup Repair scans for and fixes common boot problems automatically. Try it first.
• System Restore returns system files and settings to a restore point, without touching your documents.
• Uninstall Updates removes the latest quality or feature update, useful when trouble started after Windows Update.
• Command Prompt opens a full-rights command line for tools like SFC offline, chkdsk and bootrec.
• Startup Settings restarts the PC with a menu for Safe Mode and other boot options.
• UEFI Firmware Settings restarts into the PC’s firmware setup (shown only on UEFI PCs).
• System Image Recovery restores a full system image if you made one.

Reset this PC reinstalls Windows and lets you keep or remove your files. Use it only after the repair tools above have failed.

Check that WinRE is enabled

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

reagentc /info

Look for Windows RE status: Enabled and a location such as \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition4\Recovery\WindowsRE. If it says Disabled, run reagentc /enable. If that fails with “The Windows RE image was not found”, follow our guide to restoring a missing WinRE image. Without a working WinRE, Windows can’t open recovery automatically, so it’s worth fixing before you need it.

Related guides

• The Windows RE image was not found: how to fix and re-enable WinRE
• SFC offline: how to run sfc /scannow from recovery
• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart
• BitLocker recovery key: where to find it

Official sources: for more detail, see Microsoft’s own pages:

• Microsoft Learn: Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE)
• Microsoft Learn: REAgentC command-line options

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to delete the recovery partition?

It isn’t recommended. The partition holds WinRE; without it, automatic repair and reset options may stop working. The space it uses is small.

Does opening WinRE delete anything?

No. Opening it changes nothing. Only the options you choose, such as Reset this PC or Uninstall Updates, make changes, and each one asks you to confirm.

What’s the difference between WinRE and Safe Mode?

WinRE runs outside your installed Windows to repair it. Safe Mode starts your installed Windows with minimal drivers. You reach Safe Mode from WinRE through Startup Settings.