1. Create Rescue Disk? Windows XP, (Vista) Windows 7, 8 Windows 8.1

2. Why Create One? Fix problems when Windows cannot start
Restore the system to an earlier point in time
Restore a saved image of the entire system

3. The lucky ones have an install disk .
Windows XP, Vista (?), 8.1
The lucky ones have an install disk .
Bootable floppy from earlier Windows have limited usefulness.

4. Create a boot floppy disk by using a Windows XP-based computer
Format a floppy disk by using the Windows XP format utility. To do this follow these steps:
Insert the floppy disk that you want to use into the floppy disk drive.
Click Start, click Run, type format a:, and then click OK.
Copy the Ntldr and the Ntdetect.com files from the I386 folder on the Windows XP installation CD-ROM, from the Windows XP installation floppy disk, or from a computer that is running the same version of Windows XP as the computer that you want to access by using the boot floppy disk. To do this, follow these steps:
Insert the Windows XP installation media into the disk drive of the computer.
Click Start, click Run, type <DriveLetter>:\I386, and then click OK. Note<DriveLetter> represents the root location of the installation media.
Right-click the Ntldr file, and then click Copy.
Click Start, click Run, type a:, and then click OK.
Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste.
Repeat steps 2.2 through 2.5 for the Ntdetect.com file.
Create a Boot.ini file, or copy one from a computer that is running Windows XP, and then modify the Boot.ini file to match the computer that you are trying to access. The following example lists how to create a Boot.ini file for a single-partition Integrated Device Electronics drive that has Windows XP installed in the \Windows folder:
Click Start, click Run, type notepad, and then click OK.
Type the following text: [boot loader] timeout=30 Default= multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows [operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows="<OperatingSystem>"
Note The value that is represented by the <OperatingSystem> placeholder depends on the configuration of the Windows XP computer that you are trying to access. For example, if you are trying to start a Windows XP Professional computer, this value is as follows:Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Click the File menu, and then click Save As.
Select 3 ½ Floppy (A:) from the Save in drop-down list, type Boot.ini in the File name text box, and then click Save.
Insert the floppy disk into the floppy disk drive of your computer, and then restart Windows XP.

5. Windows XP Other things that did not work
Start  Programs  Accessories 
System Tools  Backup  Backup or Restore Wizard  Advanced Mode
Did not recognize CD-RW Drive
C A U T I O N on the Web!

6. Windows 7 Click on Backup and Restore Type Backup and Restore
1. Click On Start

7. Windows 7

8. Windows 7, Windows Vista (?)

9. Windows 8
Windows 8, type Recdisc at the Windows Start Screen Search. Then essentially the same as Windows 7.
Windows 8.1
Note: Windows 8.1 no longer includes the Recdisc utility. If you wish to create a bootable USB Drive with Recovery Partition, you should follow the steps in this guide instead:

10. Windows 8.1 USB Recovery Drive - 1 Charms Bar - Upper Right
Click on Search
Type Recovery Drive in Search Box
Click Create a recovery drive
Confirm UAC

11. Windows 8.1 USB Recovery Drive - 2
Click box Copy the Recovery Partition …. (if available)
Sufficiently large flash drive in USB port - select drive - click Next

12. Windows 8.1
USB Recovery Drive – 3

13. Windows 8.1 USB Recovery Drive – 4
Click Create, Finish (or, to free disk space, click box Delete Recovery Partition…, click Delete).
Note: On computers upgraded to 8.1 recovery partition will be Windows 8.

14. Windows 10 Create Recovery Drive Media Creation Tool Search:
Create your own installation media with either a USB flash drive or a DVD.

15. Windows (Various Versions)
Other ways to create bootable media
Anti Virus program options
Image backup program options
Bootable Windows image backup DVD
(For some Windows versions)
C A U T I O N on the Web!

16. Windows (All Versions)
Booting from floppy disks, CDs/DVDs, flash drives
Press power switch on computer
At the first logo repeatedly tap F12 or F2
(See computer manual, or consult manufacturer’s web page)

17. Windows (All Versions)
Use arrow keys to select boot mode (no mouse). Press the Enter key.

18. Windows 7 Recovery Disk Menu - 1
Example

19. Windows 7 Recovery Disk Menu - 2
Example

20. The End