[Notebook/Desktop/AIO] How to enter Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE, a.k.a. WinRE) is a recovery environment in Windows that can repair common causes, such asunbootable operating systems. WinRE is based on Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE), and can be used with additional drivers, languages, Windows PE Optional Components, other troubleshooting, and diagnostic tools. The common scenarios include system recovery, automatic repair tool, or enter Safe mode, etc. The following article presents How to enter WinRE.

WinRE starts automatically after detecting the following issues:

  • Two consecutive failed attempts to start Windows
  • Two consecutive unexpected shutdowns that occur within two minutes of boot completion
  • Two consecutive system reboots within two minutes boot completion
  • A Secure Boot error (except for issues related to Bootmgr.efi)
  • A BitLocker error on touch-only devices

 

Table of Contents:

There are two methods to enter WinRE, and you can choose either one to perform it.

 

Method 1: Enter WinRE via Advanced startup options in Settings

Please click one of the links below according to the version of the Windows operating system your computer is running:

 

Windows 11 operating system

  1. Type and search [Change advanced startup options] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②.          
  2. Click [Restart now]③ in Advanced startup section.          
  3. The system will restart and enter WinRE. (The following picture showed is WinRE.)          

 

Windows 10 operating system

  1. Type and search [Change advanced startup options] in the Windows search bar①, then click [Open]②.          
  2. Click [Restart now]③ in Advanced startup section.          
  3. The system will restart and enter WinRE. (The following picture showed is WinRE.)          

 

 

Method 2: Enter WinRE via the Hotkey during the booting

If your computer cannot enter the Windows operating system, you are able to try using the hotkey to let your computer to enter WinRE.

  1. While the computer isn’t powered on yet, press and hold the F9 key, then press the Power button.       
    Note: Some models may enter WinRE via the F12 key. If it is failed via the F9 key, please repeat the process and press F12 instead of F9 to enter WinRE.     
  2. Release the F9 key after the following WinRE screen displays.       
     

 

If you are still unable to enter the Windows Recovery Environment using the F9 or F12 shortcut keys, you may need to disable the Fast Boot function in the BIOS configuration first.  
Please follow these steps to disable Fast Boot, and then try using the shortcut keys to enter the Windows Recovery Environment again.

  1. Please access the BIOS configuration screen on your computer first. While the computer isn’t powered on yet, press and hold the F2 key, and then press the Power button to enter the BIOS configuration. Here you can learn more about How to enter the BIOS configuration.  
  2. After entering the BIOS configuration, there will be three types of screen designs: MyASUS in UEFI, UEFI mode, and Legacy mode. Please refer to the operating steps according to your computer's display screen:

 

Disable the Fast Boot function in “MyASUS in UEFI”. In this interface, you are able to select and choose the item via Arrow Keys and Enter of keyboard, Touchpad or Mouse.

  1. Press Hotkey[F7], or use the cursor to click [Advanced Settings]① that the screen displayed.
  1. Go to [Boot]② screen, select [Fast Boot]③ item and then select [Disabled]④ to disable the Fast Boot function.
  2. Save & Exit Setup. Press Hotkey[F10] and select [Confirm]⑤, the computer will restart and the settings will take effect. After restarting, you can try using the shortcut keys to enter the Windows Recovery Environment again.

 

Disable the Fast Boot function in BIOS - UEFI mode. In UEFI mode, you are able to select and choose the item via Arrow Keys and Enter of keyboard, Touchpad or Mouse.

  1. Press Hotkey[F7], or use the cursor to click [Advanced Mode]① that the screen displayed.          
  2. Go to [Boot]② screen, select [Fast Boot]③ item and then select [Disabled]④ to disable the Fast Boot function.          
            
  3. Save & Exit Setup. Press Hotkey[F10] and select [Ok]⑤, the computer will restart and the settings will take effect. After restarting, you can try using the shortcut keys to enter the Windows Recovery Environment again. 

 

Disable the Fast Boot function in BIOS - Legacy mode. In Legacy mode, you can only select items by using Arrow Keys and Enter Key.

  1. Go to [Boot]① screen, select [Fast Boot]② item and then select [Disabled]③ to disable the Fast Boot function.          
             
  2. Save & Exit Setup. Press Hotkey[F10] and select [Yes]⑤, the computer will restart and the settings will take effect. After restarting, you can try using the shortcut keys to enter the Windows Recovery Environment again.