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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.

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