News

Windows Recovery Environment Debuts

Included with Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 is a new tool for aiding help desk personnel in recovering from installations of the new system that have gone south.

Dubbed the Windows Recovery Environment or WinRE, the tool is new for Vista and is based on the Windows Pre-installation environment (WinPE), which debuted with Windows XP. WinRE completely replaces Windows XP's Recovery Console, according to statements on a Microsoft blog this week.

"You should be able to perform most tasks of recovery console from WinRE," the post states.

For Vista, WinRE provides automatic diagnosis and repair of boot problems using a tool called Startup Repair. It also serves as a centralized platform for other recovery tools to come.

WinRE is currently available on the Vista RC1 DVD. After Vista's release, the tool will also be distributed via other means, such as pre-installed by PC OEMs or via a network boot for corporate customers.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

Featured

  • Report: Cost, Sustainability Drive DaaS Adoption Beyond Remote Work

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • Windows 365 Reserve, Microsoft's Cloud PC Rental Service, Hits Preview

    Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of its new "Windows 365 Reserve" service, which lets organizations rent cloud PC instances in the event their Windows devices are stolen, lost or damaged.

  • Hands-On AI Skills Now Outshine Certs in Salary Stakes

    For AI-related roles, employers are prioritizing verifiable, hands-on abilities over framed certificates -- and they're paying a premium for it.

  • Roadblocks in Enterprise AI: Data and Skills Shortfalls Could Cost Millions

    Businesses risk losing up to $87 million a year if they fail to catch up with AI innovation, according to the Couchbase FY 2026 CIO AI Survey released this month.