When your computer won’t start or crashes unexpectedly, knowing how to start recovery can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major business disruption. Recovery mode is a special diagnostic environment built into every modern operating system that helps you fix problems when normal startup fails.
Quick Answer – How to Start Recovery:
| Device Type | Key Method | Alternative Method |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Hold Shift + click Restart | Boot from recovery USB |
| Mac (Apple Silicon) | Hold power button until options appear | Command + R on Intel Macs |
| Chromebook | Esc + Refresh + Power | USB recovery utility |
| Linux/Ubuntu | Hold Shift at boot for GRUB menu | Recovery shell from advanced options |
Recovery mode becomes essential when your system experiences boot failures, malware infections, corrupted files, or driver conflicts. Windows automatically enters recovery after just two failed boot attempts, while other systems require manual activation through specific key combinations.
The process varies significantly between operating systems. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) offers tools like System Restore and Startup Repair. macOS Recovery provides Disk Utility and OS reinstallation options. Chromebook recovery permanently erases local data but restores a clean system state.
Important: Recovery processes can sometimes erase data, so having recent backups is crucial before proceeding.
Why & When You Should Enter Recovery Mode
Your operating system only gives you two choices when something fundamental breaks: boot normally or switch to recovery mode. Knowing when to choose the second option keeps a small headache from becoming days of downtime.
When to pull the trigger
- The computer fails to boot and shows errors such as “Operating System not found” or loops endlessly. Windows will open WinRE after two failed boots, but macOS, ChromeOS and Linux rely on you.
- A deep-rooted malware infection survives every normal scan. Recovery loads a clean environment where malicious code cannot run.
- System files are corrupted after a power outage, bad update or aging hardware.
- New drivers or hardware crash the system and you need to roll them back.
Why it matters for business
Industry studies peg the average cost of unplanned downtime at about $85,000 per hour. A single 30-hour incident can soar past $2 million. Hitting the correct recovery shortcut is often the cheapest decision you will make all year.
Finally, some recovery tools erase data (Chromebook recovery always does). Treat every recovery as if data loss could happen and make backups first. At Stradiant we have watched clients avoid six-figure losses simply because someone in the office knew these basics.
How to start recovery? Step-by-Step for Every Device
When your computer decides to have a bad day, knowing how to start recovery across different platforms can save your sanity and your business. Think of it like having a universal first aid kit for your digital devices – each operating system has its own way of getting you back on track.
Modern recovery systems give you options. You can use local recovery, which taps into system images stored on your device, or cloud recovery that downloads fresh system files from the internet. Local recovery is fast and works offline but is limited to what’s stored on your device. Cloud recovery needs internet and takes longer but usually gives you a completely fresh, up-to-date system.
Windows: How to start recovery? (WinRE)
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is Microsoft’s digital emergency room. There are several ways to get there, depending on whether your computer is still limping along or completely down for the count.
If Windows is still somewhat cooperative, the easiest path is through the Shift + Restart method. Click on the Start menu, select Power, then hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart. Keep that Shift key pressed until you see the recovery menu pop up. From there, select “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” to access all the recovery tools.
Alternatively, steer to Settings, then Update & Security, then Recovery. Under “Advanced startup,” click “Restart now” and your computer will reboot into WinRE.
Windows is actually pretty smart about detecting trouble. If your computer fails to boot twice in a row, it automatically launches WinRE on the third attempt.
When Windows won’t start at all, you’ll need a recovery USB drive. Boot from the USB drive by pressing F12 (or your computer’s boot menu key) right after powering on, select your USB drive, and choose “Repair my PC” when prompted.
Once you’re in WinRE, you’ll find several powerful tools. Startup Repair automatically fixes common boot problems. System Restore lets you roll back system changes to when everything was working perfectly. System Image Recovery restores from a complete system backup, while the Command Prompt gives tech-savvy users access to advanced troubleshooting options.
Important: if your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, you’ll need your recovery key before accessing WinRE tools. Make sure you store this key securely in your Microsoft account or write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
For comprehensive data protection strategies, learn more about Data Backups & Data Recovery to prevent future data loss scenarios.
macOS (Apple silicon & Intel)
Apple’s approach to recovery depends entirely on what’s under the hood of your Mac. The company made a significant change when they introduced their own silicon chips, so the process varies between Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs.
If you’ve got one of the newer Apple Silicon Macs (those with M1, M2, or M3 chips), the process is straightforward. Shut down your Mac completely, then press and hold the power button until you see “Loading startup options” appear on screen. Click “Options” then “Continue,” log in with an administrator account when prompted, and you’re in business.
Intel Macs use the classic keyboard shortcut method. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R. Keep holding those keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe, then release when macOS Recovery loads.
Intel Mac users get bonus options with different key combinations. Command + R gives you local recovery (the fastest option), Option + Command + R triggers Internet recovery with the latest macOS version, and Shift + Option + Command + R downloads the original macOS version that came with your Mac.
Once you’re in macOS Recovery, you’ll find a powerful toolkit. Disk Utility helps repair disk errors and manage storage, while Reinstall macOS performs a clean installation without erasing your user data. Time Machine Restore lets you recover from your Time Machine backup, and Terminal provides advanced command-line troubleshooting.
Helpful tip: if you see a spinning globe instead of the Apple logo, your Mac is using Internet Recovery, downloading recovery tools from Apple’s servers.
Chromebook: How to start recovery? (ChromeOS)
Chromebook recovery is like performing surgery with a sledgehammer – it’s effective, but it completely erases and reinstalls ChromeOS. This process is irreversible and removes all local data, so think of it as the nuclear option for when your Chromebook is really struggling.
Use Chromebook recovery when you see the “ChromeOS is missing or damaged” error, when your system becomes completely unresponsive, or when you’re dealing with persistent boot failures.
Getting into recovery mode requires a specific three-finger salute: remove all connected USB devices and SD cards, then press and hold Esc + Refresh + Power buttons simultaneously. Release when you see the “ChromeOS is missing or damaged” screen, then press Ctrl + D to proceed to recovery options.
Newer Chromebook models often support Internet recovery. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install ChromeOS. The whole process typically takes 15-30 minutes, depending on your internet speed.
For the USB recovery method, you’ll need a working computer and a USB drive with at least 8GB capacity. Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility from the Chrome Web Store, follow the utility’s instructions to create recovery media, then boot your Chromebook into recovery mode and insert the USB drive when prompted.
Reality check: recovery permanently erases ALL local data. Make sure your important files are backed up to Google Drive or external storage before starting. The process cannot be interrupted once it begins, but USB recovery drives can be reused after successful recovery.
Linux & Ubuntu
Linux recovery is where things get interesting for the technically minded. Ubuntu provides a standardized recovery mode through the GRUB bootloader menu, which gives you access to powerful system repair tools.
Getting to Ubuntu recovery mode requires perfect timing. Restart your computer and press and hold Shift (for BIOS systems) or tap Escape (for UEFI systems) during boot. Select “Advanced options for Ubuntu” from the GRUB menu, then choose the kernel version followed by “(recovery mode)” and press Enter.
The recovery menu presents several options. Resume continues the normal boot process, Clean frees up disk space, dpkg repairs broken packages, fsck checks and repairs file system errors, grub updates the GRUB bootloader, network enables networking for updates, and root drops you to a root shell with full system access.
The root shell is where the real magic happens for advanced troubleshooting. Select “root” from the recovery menu, press Enter to access the command prompt, then run mount -o remount,rw / to make the root filesystem writable. Follow that with mount --all to mount additional partitions.
Common recovery commands include fsck /dev/sda1 to check and repair file systems, apt-get update && apt-get upgrade to update packages, dpkg –configure -a to fix broken package installations, and update-grub to rebuild bootloader configuration.
For comprehensive Ubuntu recovery documentation, visit RecoveryMode – Ubuntu Wiki.
Preparations & Risks Before You Begin
Recovery mode is emergency surgery, so prep like a pro.
- Back up first. Even tools that promise to keep your files can fail. Use the steps in How to Backup Data.
- Stay powered. A dead battery or power cut during recovery can brick the system. Desktops belong on a UPS; laptops at least 50 % and plugged in.
- Create recovery media now. Windows: Control Panel > Recovery. macOS: download the installer. Chromebook: Recovery Utility + 8 GB USB.
- Gather credentials—Microsoft or Apple IDs, BitLocker keys, admin passwords. Recovery will ask.
- Document the current setup (apps, drivers, network). It speeds up the rebuild.
Know the risks
- Some options wipe everything (Chromebook recovery, Windows “Remove everything”, macOS “Erase Mac”).
- Generic drivers may leave Wi-Fi, sound or video in basic mode until you reinstall vendor drivers.
- A full reset can take hours—do not interrupt it.
Troubleshooting When Recovery Won’t Load
When the recovery tools themselves are broken, work through these fallback options:
- Corrupted recovery partition – Create external media on another PC (Windows Media Creation Tool, macOS installer USB, Chromebook Recovery Utility) or use Mac Internet Recovery with Option + Command + R.
- Keyboard not detected – Use a basic wired USB keyboard and disable fast-boot in firmware if needed.
- Network blocks downloads – Switch to Ethernet, a different Wi-Fi network, or temporarily disable VPN.
- Firmware boot menu – Tap F12, F8 or Delete right after power-on to select a USB drive or recovery partition directly.
Account locked? Start recovery at iforgot.apple.com for Apple IDs or use Microsoft’s online reset flow. Hardware failure still stopping you? It may be time for professional help—another reason Stradiant keeps pre-made recovery media on hand for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Starting Recovery Mode
Does recovery erase my files?
Some options (Windows System Restore, macOS reinstall, Linux root shell fixes) normally keep your data. Others (Chromebook recovery, Windows “Remove everything”, macOS “Erase Mac”) wipe the drive. Always assume potential loss and keep backups.
What if I forget my account password?
Windows: use another admin account, a password reset disk, or Microsoft’s online reset.
macOS/iOS: go to iforgot.apple.com; with 2FA the wait can be up to 72 hours.
Chromebook: run Google’s account recovery.
Linux: boot to the root shell in recovery and run passwd username.
Can I create recovery media after the PC is broken?
Not on the dead machine, but you can on any working computer: Windows Media Creation Tool, macOS installer on another Mac, Chromebook Recovery Utility, or a Linux ISO + USB tool. Cloud-based options (Mac Internet Recovery, Chromebook Internet Recovery) also work without pre-made media—one more reason to test them before disaster strikes.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Learning how to start recovery is like having a digital first aid kit for your business. When systems crash at the worst possible moment (and they always do), knowing these recovery techniques can mean the difference between a quick fix and days of expensive downtime.
Throughout this guide, we’ve covered the essential recovery methods for Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Linux systems. Each platform has its quirks, but the core principle remains the same: recovery mode gives you powerful tools to fix problems that normal troubleshooting can’t touch.
Your Recovery Action Plan
The time to prepare for system failures is while everything’s still working smoothly. Start by creating recovery media for all your business computers today. Yes, today – not next week when you remember, but right now while your systems are healthy and cooperative.
Document your administrator passwords and account credentials in a secure location. There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling of staring at a password prompt during a crisis, knowing the answer is “somewhere safe” but having no idea where that might be.
After the Storm: Post-Recovery Steps
Once you’ve successfully brought a system back to life, resist the urge to immediately dive back into work. Install the latest operating system updates and security patches first – these often fix the vulnerabilities that caused your problems in the first place.
Update your hardware drivers from manufacturer websites, restore your backed-up data carefully, and run thorough antivirus scans. Think of this as giving your newly recovered system a clean bill of health before putting it back into active duty.
Building Your Digital Safety Net
The best recovery story is the one you never have to tell. Regular system maintenance, timely updates, and proactive monitoring can prevent many of the failures that require recovery procedures. It’s like changing your car’s oil regularly instead of waiting for the engine to seize up.
Consider implementing the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of important data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept offsite. This might seem excessive until you’re facing a complete system failure with critical business data at stake.
When DIY Isn’t Enough
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, recovery procedures don’t work as planned. Hardware failures, corrupted recovery partitions, or complex system configurations can turn a simple recovery into a multi-day nightmare. This is where having professional IT support becomes invaluable.
We help businesses implement comprehensive disaster recovery strategies that minimize downtime and protect critical data. Our 24/7 monitoring often catches problems before they escalate to the point where recovery becomes necessary.
Your Next Steps
Don’t wait for an emergency to test these procedures. Practice how to start recovery on non-critical systems when you have time to learn and make mistakes. The muscle memory you build during calm moments will serve you well during actual crises.
For businesses ready to move beyond reactive recovery to proactive prevention, explore our comprehensive guide on Minimizing Downtime: Effective IT Disaster Recovery Steps for Local Enterprises.
System recovery is a skill that improves with practice and preparation. Your future self – the one dealing with a critical system failure at 2 AM – will thank you for taking the time to prepare now.
