Lenovo Digital Download Recovery Service (DDRS) - Download the files needed to create a Lenovo USB Recovery key

Lenovo Digital Download Recovery Service (DDRS): Create USB Recovery Key

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Lenovo Digital Download Recovery Service (DDRS): Create USB Recovery Key

Use Lenovo USB Recovery tool to create a USB Recovery Key that can be used to reinstall Windows on the computer. Note: The Lenovo USB Recovery creator tool is for Windows only.

Key iconDownload Lenovo USB Recovery Creator

Windows icon

Note: System Hardware Prerequisites

  • 32 GB or larger USB key, USB 2.0 or 3.0 key (Note: all data on the USB key will be deleted)
  • A computer to download the recovery files and create the USB recovery key
  • At least 20 GB of free space for downloading recovery files
  • The Lenovo USB Recovery Creator Tool V 4.0.19.1 or later is only supported on Microsoft Windows® 10 or 11
  • 20 Mbps Internet connection (recommended)

How to create and use the USB recovery key

1. Submit recovery media order, download Lenovo Recovery Media Creator tool

Go to the Lenovo Recovery Web page at https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/lenovorecovery

  • Type in the serial number of your device (website needs you to log in with you Lenovo ID first).
  • If your serial number is not recognized, try your local support team.
    recovery media

Follow the instructions on the Web page to complete an order application.

  • Select the operating system (OS) Language:
    recovery media
    • Select digital download (Recommended), or USB Media, then confirm your acceptance of the terms and conditions by clicking the checkbox.
      recovery media

    • Sign in with your Lenovo ID and password. If you do not have a valid Lenovo ID, click Create a Lenovo ID.
      Sign in
    • Enter your personal information, then click Submit.
      customer info
  • You have finished the application. Now click the Digital Download button to download the USB recovery media creator tool to start your download.
    recovery media

  • Within a few minutes after submitting the order, an order confirmation email should arrive. But you do not have to wait for the confirmation email, you can use the tool to start your download.

Note: A digital download order is active for 72 hours (three days). If a digital download order has not started within 72 hours, the digital download order expires, and a new digital download order must be submitted. When a digital download order has started, the order will remain active until the digital download has completed.

2. Run the Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool and create the USB Recovery key

Note: System Hardware Prerequisites

  • 32 GB or larger USB key, USB 2.0 or 3.0 key (Note: all data on the USB key will be deleted)
  • A computer to download the recovery files and create the USB recovery key
  • At least 20 GB of free space for downloading recovery files
  • The Lenovo USB Recovery Creator Tool V 4.0.19.1 or later is only supported on Microsoft Windows® 10 or 11
  • 20 Mbps Internet connection (recommended)

Run the Creator tool, finish the download and creation using the tool.

  • Run the Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool and simply click Start.
    recovery creator

  • Type your Lenovo ID and password that was used when the digital download order was placed. Then click the Next button.
    recovery creator

  • Select your Digital Download order.
    recovery creator

  • Select the download location and continue to the downloading process. The download location should be on your computer. Please remember the location you selected in case you need to find the downloaded files.
    recovery creator
    Note: Recovery files are several gigabytes in size. Depending on your network connection, this process may take several hours. The Lenovo Digital Download Tool shows the time remaining to complete the process.
    Note: You can pause the download process by clicking the Pause button and resume later where you left off.
    recovery creator
     
  • After all recovery files have been downloaded, insert the USB key (preformat the USB flash drive to NTFS or FAT32, and make sure it is 32 GB or above) that you want to use as a USB Recovery key into one of the USB connectors.
    recovery creator
    Note: Do not alter the recovery files or file structure after the files have been downloaded from Lenovo. Changing or deleting any file or modifying the file structure will affect the creation of the USB Recovery key.
  • If you click Yes, all data currently on the selected USB key will be deleted as part of the process. Copy any files you want to keep onto other media before you continue.
    recovery creator
    Depending on the speed of the USB key (USB 2.0 or USB 3.0) and the computer, this process can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.
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    When the USB recovery key is ready, you can remove the key from the computer. Click Yes to delete the recovery files or No, Exit to keep them and close the tool.
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    Note: If you keep the recovery files, you can create another USB Recovery key in the future by running the Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool again. If you delete the files, you will not be able to re-create this USB Recovery key.
  • Use the following steps if you want to use the recovery files to create another USB Recovery key. In the Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool, select the USB key you inserted and the recovery master file (*.RMF) located in the folder where you downloaded the recovery files.
    recovery creator create usb recovery key
  • Note: All data on the USB key will be deleted. Back up any data you want to save before continuing.

3. Install the operating system using the newly created USB recovery drive. This will remove all data and software from your PC's hard drive and restore the factory-installed operating system

  • After creating the Lenovo USB Recovery key, the USB key can be used to reinstall Microsoft Windows® at any time on the computer models for which it was created. To use the USB key, insert the USB key into the Lenovo computer on which you want to restore the operating system. Then, restart the computer to begin the recovery process.
  • Note: Lenovo Recovery USB creator version V 4.0.19.1 or later only supports Windows 10 or 11.
  • For instructions on using the Lenovo Recovery USB key, select the language and operating system below:

Windows 8.1 PDF
Lenovo Recovery USB creator version V 4.0.19.1
or later only supports Windows 10 or 11.

Windows 10 & Windows 11 PDF

Danish Dutch Danish Dutch
English Finnish English Finnish
French German French German
Itanian Japanese Itanian Japanese
Korean Norwegian Korean Norwegian
Portuguese (Brazil) Portuguese (Portugal) Portuguese (Brazil) Portuguese (Portugal)
Simplified Chinese Spanish Simplified Chinese Spanish
Swedish Traditional Chinese Swedish Traditional Chinese

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the recovery image contain the latest device drivers for my PC?

The operating system recovery image may not contain the latest device drivers for your Lenovo PC. Latest device drivers are available at Lenovo Drivers & Downloads website. After installing the operating system, it is highly recommended that you download and install the latest device drivers.

2. Will the recovery image contain the latest version of Windows?

The operating system recovery image may not contain the latest version of Windows. After installing the operating system, you can use Windows update to update the version.

3. Should I wait for the confirmation email?

You do not have to wait for the confirmation email. After you submit the digital download order, you can download the Lenovo USB recovery Creator tool to start your download.

4. What do I do if I get an error “No active order”?

  • This is usually because the order was not transferred to our system correctly, even if you got the confirmation email. Try to create a new order and start the tool again.
  • If your Lenovo ID is not an email account, this error is because the tool could not recognize the non-email account as Lenovo ID. Please create a new order with email account as Lenovo ID, then retry with the tool.

5. What do I do if I get an error “files validation failed” or “XXX is invalid”?

File invalid related issue: this is because the file was not downloaded correctly. Please try to find the invalid file in the download location, then delete it. The tool will download the file again. Then restart the tool, and select the same download location. The tool will download the needed files, it will not download from beginning.

6. What do I do if I get an error “Meta file validation failed” or my download stays at 99% for more than 2 hours?

This might be caused due to network instability which resulted the Meta file not downloaded correctly. Close the Lenovo USB recovery creator tool, restart the tool, and then select the same download location. The tool will clear the Meta file and redownload it.

7. What do I do if I get an error in the USB key creation step?

Use the following steps:

  1. Plug in the USB flash drive again.
  2. Close all running programs, including Windows File Explorer which will automatically start when the USB is plugged in.
  3. Format USB Flash drive.
  4. Run USB Recovery Tool and log in by selecting the first option.
  5. Select the same download directory so that the tool will download only required files. Then click download to continue with the USB burning process.

8. What do I do if I cannot select my USB flash drive in the tool?

Try the following steps:

  1. Close USB recovery program, if it is still running.
  2. Reboot download machine.
  3. Insert 32 GB USB flash drive (this depends on the size of the image you downloaded) in other USB Port and make sure USB flash drive is detected in the download machine.
  4. Run the USB Recovery Tool. Log in to USB Recovery tool by selecting the first option (Download Recovery files), and create USB Recovery key.
  5. Select the same download directory.
  6. Finally, click Download to continue with RUSB burning process.

9. What do I do if I get an error “communication with the Lenovo support site has been interrupted”?

This is because the connection to Lenovo server is interrupted. Try the following steps:

  1. Close the USB recovery tool if it is still running.
  2. Check the LAN and Wi-Fi connectivity in the download machine.
  3. Verify the internet speed, and disable your firewall and the antivirus software.
  4. Try the USB recovery tool again.

If this issue continues after you try many times, the server may be having a temporary outage. Please check our website banner or email notification for outage from recovery@lenovo.com.

10. What do I do if I get a “server busy” or other server related error when I submit the order?

This is usually because the website is under maintenance or the internet has issues. Please open the website and again and resubmit the order. If the same error occurs, try the next day or email recovery@lenovo.com for more help.

11. Which USB recovery creator tool should I use for Linux? How do I download Linux Recovery image if my computer came with the Linux System?

If your computer is running a Linux system, the Lenovo Recovery Creator Tool is unsupported by Linux now. You need another Windows computer to download the recovery media. If your machine originally came with Ubuntu or Fedora and you need a Linux Recovery image, check your eligibility by entering your serial number at https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/lenovorecovery. Only select machines that originally came with Ubuntu or Fedora are supported. More information can be found at Select Linux products (Ubuntu and Fedora) can download a recovery image.

12. Can I download the operating system without drivers and pre-installed APP?

Yes, go to the Microsoft website, search for MediaCreationTool, and download it. It is a Microsoft official app to help download a pure version of Windows 10.

You can download the needed drivers separately from Lenovo PC support website: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/solutions/ht504759.

13. What do I do if my serial number cannot be found by the website?

Check the following reasons:

  • Your device has reached End of Service.
  • Your device does not have a preloaded operating system.
  • Your device uses a Google Chrome operating system. Refer to: Recover your Chromebook
  • Your device uses a Linux operating system. Refer to: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/solutions/ht512169.
  • Your device was built with a custom software image. Contact your IT support staff before reaching out to Lenovo Support.
  • This is a ThinkSmart product: Check Recovery and Reimage section from https://support.lenovo.com/solutions/ht510427.
  • This is a Lenovo Thin Client.
  • If your device is still in warranty and does not belong to any of the previous categories, contact recovery@Lenovo.com.

14. Why can’t I find the RMF file in my download directory?

With our newest version, the RMF file is only stored to your download directory after you have successfully created the RUSB once.

After creating the RUSB using Start, use the Create button and browse to the download directory, then choose the RMF file and create the RUSB as many times as needed.

Cart RUSB

15. What can I do if Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool can’t format my USB?

This might be because your USB is not using the Master Boot Record (MBR) partition table. Check the Microsoft article (https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/storage/disk-management/change-a-gpt-disk-into-an-mbr-disk) and change your USB partition table to MBR.

16. How to install .NET Framework v 4.0 or later (Windows 7 only)?

  • Close all the programs
  • Download and install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or later. Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Web Installer)
  • Follow Microsoft Installer prompts to complete installation.
  • Once installation of Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 is complete, you may need to restart your computer.
  • Install or open Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool.

Latest Version Notice

Release notes for V4.0.20

Lenovo Recovery USB creator has been updated to V 4.0.20:
1. Fixed various security issues and bugs
2. Improved download
3. Lenovo ID login module update
     a. Fewer CAPTCHA issues
4. Tool Language selection within the APP
     a. Previously language selection was not available. Will be preselected based on user default operating system language
     b. Can now select up to 15 languages on the APP Home page
Select language
     c. Fixed various bugs related to Simplified/Traditional Chinese that caused issues with recovery USB
5. Fixed issue where USB was unable to be detected if a USB key was inserted after download finished
6. Fixed issue when selecting download folder, where the displayed folder path is incorrect.
7. Create Date/Time in Order list
You are now able to see Create Date/Time to find your most recent orders easier
Create date and time

Contact Us

​We encourage you to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the Latest Version Notices. Should your concern remain unaddressed, forward the details of your issue to recovery@lenovo.com.

i. The inclusion of screenshots or a video recording will help us understand the issue, and expedite the resolution process.

ii. We request that you provide us with the details of your order. You should have received a confirmation email entitled “Your Lenovo Recovery Media Order,” which contains all requisite information.

Older Detail Example:

Order ID: 1234ABC-A12B-3C45-67D8-9101E2FGHI34J
Lenovo ID: ABC@lenovo.com
Serial Number: ABCDE001
Machine Type: 12AB
Operating System: Win10Homex64
OS Language: English
Recovery Media Part Number:1A23B455678

Document ID:HT103653
Original Publish Date:11/17/2016
Last Modified Date:01/14/2025