How to use MAINGEAR's Recovery to Re-install Windows

This guide provides a full step-by-step walkthrough of how to reinstall Windows from the MAINGEAR Recovery partition on your system. Using this method, all of your system's drivers and MAINGEAR's no-bloatware Windows image will be reinstalled. This process typically takes around 10 minutes.

This is for all systems that were completed after July 2024. If you have a system from before this date, click here to follow the standard Windows reinstallation guide.

IMPORTANT: Please back up any files you'd like to keep from your PC before proceeding with a Windows re-install. You can use file backup within the recovery tool (shown below).

Step 1: Enter the Windows Recovery Environment

There are 3 ways to enter the Windows Recovery Environment. Choose one of the following methods and skip to Step 2.

Method 1: Advanced startup

Open the Settings app (Windows key + "I").
On the left column, click System.
Scroll down and select Recovery.
Under Recovery Options, go to Advanced Startup, and click Restart now.

Method 2: Hold the Shift key while restarting

While in Windows or the Windows Lock Screen, click the Power button
Press and hold the Shift keyboard key, then click Restart.

Method 3: Interrupt the Boot Process (use if method 1 & 2 are unsuccessful)

While the PC is off and plugged into an outlet, press the Power Button.
Shortly after the system is turned on and lit up, press and hold the Power Button for 10 seconds until the system shuts off.
Repeat this process two more times.
After the third start, the system should automatically go into the Windows Recovery Environment after being turned on.

Step 2: Enter MAINGEAR's Recovery within the Windows Recovery Environment

After loading into the Windows Recovery Environment, click Troubleshoot.

Click on the MAINGEAR recovery option to load into it.

Step 3 (Optional): Backing up data within MAINGEAR Recovery

If you'd like to back up your data within MAINGEAR Recovery, click on the folder icon on the left-hand side of the screen. You can also connect external drives for this process. Click on the refresh button if the drive does not show up after connecting it.
Select the source and destination drives. The left Drive will be the source (where you are copying/moving files from). The right Drive is the destination (where you are copying/moving files onto).
After selecting a source and destination, select any files that you'd like to back up and then click Copy or Move. For organizing files, you can also create new folders by clicking New Folder.
After backing up any files that you'd like to keep, click on the X in the top right of the File Explorer window.

Step 4: Performing System Recovery

Select a Source drive. There should be only one and that is uniquely created for your PC.
The example image shows this as "Recovery Image: Windows 11 Home 23H2 (22631_TW)"
Select a Destination drive. This is the drive where Windows will be re-installed.
Then, click on the Green File Button on the right side to proceed with the re-install.
Click Accept on the EULA.
If you have backed up any data and are ready to proceed, click Yes.
Do not turn off the system or interrupt the process.

Step 5: Complete the Recovery

Once the re-install is completed, a pop-up will appear stating: System restore complete. Click OK to continue.
You'll be taken to the Windows Recovery Environment on the next screen. Click Continue.
The PC will automatically enter Administrator mode. Please wait as the system is working on this task. The system will restart a few times.
Once the re-install is completed, you'll be taken to the initial Windows Setup screen.
Follow the prompts and complete the Windows Setup. You're now ready to use your PC again!

If you run into any issues or have any questions, please reach out to MAINGEAR Support at support@maingear.com or call us at +1 (908) 620-9050.