I followed all of the steps for downloading a recovery image for my surface but it would not load onto my 16G USB despite the file sizing showing it should have ample space on it and it has nothing else on it. Is this due to the formatting change? Is there
a workaround?
Or What size USB would I need to use? My recovery image is less than 6GB. Is there a way to not use a USB and to connect the two computers together?
I've read that I may need a recovery image drive sent to me by Microsoft. If this is the case, who do I contact? And what costs should I expect?
My husband wants to just get another computer, but I love my Surface and I paid a lot for it and I dont want to have to replace it.
Hi AngieTobias,
Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Community.
Reimaging the Surface device can only be done using a USB Flash Drive and it should either be 16 GB or 32 GB. If you want to be guided to reimage the device successfully, it would be best if you will
contact support
for further assistance.
If you will give it a try to do it on your own, below is the instruction and requirements on how you can reimage the Surface device and reset it back to factory settings successfully.
How to Download, Create and Use a USB recovery drive
To download the Recovery Image:
You'll need a PC running Windows 7 or later or Surface Device.
Visit the page to
Download the recovery image for your Surface
Sign in with your Microsoft Account
From the list of Surface devices available, select the device that you need a recovery image for
Please note that while you will only be presented with devices that are currently registered on your account, you will also be presented with the option to get an image for a different type of device. If you try to use this option, you will be prompted to enter the serial number for that device
4. Download the recovery image using the button on the page
5. When the download bar pops up at the bottom of your screen,
save
the file in a location you will be able to find it.
Format USB Drive:
Note:
Formatting a recovery drive will erase anything that is already stored on your USB drive. Make sure to transfer any important data from your USB drive to another storage device before using it to create a Surface
USB recovery drive.
Insert your USB drive into the USB port of your PC.
From the desktop, open File Explorer
Tap and hold or right-click on the USB drive and choose Format
Select FAT32 as the file system and enter a Volume label to name the USB drive, such as RECOVERY, and then tap or click Start
Tap or click OK to erase the contents of the USB drive
Tap or click OK when the format is complete
Create a recovery drive:
On your Surface or PC, open recovery image that you downloaded by double-clicking it or right click then select Extract and then Extract all.
Select the USB drive you formatted earlier for the location and click Extract.
Use a USB recovery drive to reset your Surface:
Shutdown the Surface
Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port
Press and hold the volume-down (-) rocker
Press and release the power button
When the Surface logo appears, release the volume-down (-) rocker
Surface will start the recovery software on the USB recovery drive
When prompted, choose your language options and keyboard layout
Select Troubleshoot
Select Recover from a Drive. Choose Remove Everything and Fully Clean the Drive. Recovering this PC.
If prompted, select Repartition the drives
If prompted for BitLocker Key, tap Skip this Drive and continue reimaging the device.
If this answers your question, please let our Community know by marking this post as an answer. Otherwise, don't hesitate to respond to this thread for assistance.
Kind Regards,
Crest_Z
Go to
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage
(with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly)
and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB USB stick
formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer).
***Best to purchase and use a new, previously unused USB stick for this. Use
FULL format and not quick format and give the volume a name like surfboot.***
Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the root of the formatted USB stick and then-
To reset your Surface from a USB recovery drive:
Step 1: Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in (hold down the power
button for 30 seconds).
Step 2: Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port on your Surface.
Step 3: Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the
power button on your Surface.
Step 4: When the Surface logo appears, release the volume button.
Step 5: When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
Step 6: Select Troubleshoot > Reset your PC.
If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of the
screen.
Step 7: Select the target operating system you wish to reset. This
refers to the current operating system installed on your Surface.
Step 8: Select Yes, repartition the drives, and on the next page, select Next.
Step 9: Choose Just remove my files.
Step 10: Select Reset.
Surface restarts and the Surface logo displays while the reset process continues
(this can take a while).
