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Winre.wim C:\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim

Winre.wim: the WinPE-based Windows Recovery Environment image (startup repair, system restore, command prompt, Reset this PC).

Updated on By AltF4 Formation

What it’s for

Winre.wim is the boot image of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), built on WinPE. It is what appears when Windows fails to start and offers startup repair, system restore, the command prompt and Reset this PC. Its location depends on the WinRE state, which reagentc /info reports.

What it contains

A WIM image file (one image, usually index 1) holding WinPE, the recovery tools and the storage and network drivers needed to reach them. It boots into memory through a dedicated BCD entry and boot.sdi.

Where to find it:

  • WinRE disabled: C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\Winre.wim.
  • WinRE enabled, dedicated recovery partition: \Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim on that partition, no drive letter.
  • WinRE enabled, no dedicated partition: C:\Recovery\WindowsRE\Winre.wim.

Risks and best practices

  • To customize the image (add a storage driver, a tool), follow the official sequence: reagentc /disable, mount the copy in System32\Recovery with DISM, edit it, unmount with /Commit, then reagentc /enable.
  • Without enough free space in the recovery partition, image updates fail; check this before a mass deployment.
  • A missing or corrupt image disables the startup troubleshooting options; reagentc /info then reports WinRE as disabled.

Useful commands

Fenêtre de terminal
:: WinRE state, image location (elevated prompt)
reagentc /info


:: Image contents once WinRE is disabled (the system/hidden attribute may need attrib)
reagentc /disable
dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\Winre.wim
reagentc /enable

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