How to download recovery images for Surface Book and Surface Pro 4

If you have any issues with your new Surface Book, Surface Pro 4 or any previous version of Surface you can easily download the system recovery images from Microsoft Surface Support.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

October 28, 2015

2 Min Read
How to download recovery images for Surface Book and Surface Pro 4

There is a lot of buzz on social media about the arrival of Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 this week and, while the majority of the buzz is positive, there are some users experiencing issues with the new hardware such as screen flickering and random lock ups.

We know that Microsoft released new firmware for both devices less than 24 hours after their initial availability, you can see what was addressed and in those updates from Rod, and there are also new guides available for download from Microsoft to help those same users learn their way around the new devices.

However, what are you to do if there are larger issues and you need to reset the system back to a pristine state, recover a non booting system or can not access the Reset tools on the OS itself?

Luckily, Microsoft Surface support now provides links to Surface recovery images for the new devices and their predecessors all the way back to Surface RT.

Here is who you download those images and get them ready to use or have as a backup.

NOTE: You must either register your device to access the recovery image download or provide the systems serial number during this process.

  1. Sign in using your Microsoft Account.

  2. Select your product and provide serial number of your device if it is not already registered against your MSA.

  3. Download the recovery image and save it to your Surface or another PC.

  4. Create the Recovery Drive following the on screen instructions for prepping the FAT32 USB drive.

  5. Use the Recovery Drive to refresh or reset your Surface.

Microsoft has full step by step instructions for using your freshly minted Surface USB Recovery Drive to restore your system.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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