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Fix: Insert Your Windows Installation or Recovery Media

Surefire solutions to reset your PC without a media creation tool

5 min. read

Updated onMarch 22, 2024

updated onMarch 22, 2024

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Key notes

Recovery options exist, so you don’t have to turn to aclean reinstallationwhenever the system shows critical signs. That’s one of the best things about Windows PC.

However, what happens when even the recovery option gives you a hard time? Some users who, for particular reasons, tried resetting Windows PC have had difficulties. The re-appearing error isInsert your Windows installation or recovery media.

If you’re in this group and the error is reoccurring after multiple tries toreset Windows 10, try out the solutions we provided below.

Why does the Windows installation or recovery media and restart your PC message appear?

Below are the two main reasons for the insert your Windows installation or recovery media to continue error:

How can I fix insert your Windows installation or recovery media error?

1. Use a dedicated repair tool

As this is a system-related problem, it might be pretty hard to solve, and that’s why, if you can still boot your PC normally, we recommend using adedicated toolto repair it.

2. Run SFC and DISM scans

Whether viruses or something else deleted some essential files, the recovery option will lack the resources to restore your PC to factory values. This can lead to the insert Windows installation or recovery media error.

Because of that, we recommend running System File Checker and DISM, respectively. These two utilities are built into the system and run through the elevated command line.

3. Perform a virus scan

One of the major causes of the insert your Windows installation or recovery media prompt is file corruption caused by viruses. Whether you can fix the files or not, performing a deep virus scan is recommended to eliminate any malware on your PC.

To make sure you remove even the most stubborn viruses quickly, we recommend using a third-party antivirus in ESET NOD32. This unique software will search even the deepest corners of your PC and remove any malware that can cause problems.

Suppose you are getting the insert your Windows installation or recovery media error message while trying to reset your PC from Settings. In that case, you might want to try doing it from the Advanced recovery menu.

5. Install Windows 10 clean

Finally, if none of the solutions was helpful, you can only reinstall Windows 10 from scratch.

Of course, if there’s a way to back up your data, you should do it before formatting the system partition. That’s why backing up your data regularly is of utmost importance. If, for any reason, you can’t create bootable media, try to do it on another PC.

You can also read our guide oncreating a USB bootable media.

If you’re unsure how to perform the procedure, our guide onreinstalling Windows 10will provide all the information needed.

That should do it. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the insert your windows installation or recovery media error, we encourage you to share them.

You can do so in the comments section below.

Fix: Insert Your Windows Installation or Recovery Media#

Why does the Windows installation or recovery media and restart your PC message appear?#

How can I fix insert your Windows installation or recovery media error?#

1. Use a dedicated repair tool#

2. Run SFC and DISM scans#

3. Perform a virus scan#

4. Run Reset this PC from a recovery menu#

5. Install Windows 10 clean#