"The Windows RE Image Was Not Found": Boot & Repair Guide

REAGENTC.EXE: The Windows RE Image Was Not Found

When you try to use System Restore, Reset this PC, or Advanced Startup Options, you may encounter an error message that reads: REAGENTC.EXE: The Windows RE image was not found. This issue can be frustrating, especially if you’re dealing with a system that won’t boot properly. You will lose access to essential repair tools like Startup Repair, System Restore, and more.

What Causes the "Windows RE Image Was Not Found" Error

Before attempting a fix, you might wonder why this error occurs. The "REAGENTC.EXE: The Windows RE image was not found" error usually happens due to one or more of the following:

🧿WinRE Image File Deleted or Corrupted

The recovery image file located under C:\Windows\System32\Recovery may have been accidentally removed, corrupted by malware, or deleted during system cleanup, Windows will fail to load WinRE and show the "image was not found" message.

🔔Recovery Partition Formatting or Resizing

Some OEM systems (like Dell, ASUS, HP) store WinRE on a dedicated hidden partition. If that partition is deleted, formatted, or damaged due to improper disk operations, the recovery image becomes permanently inaccessible.

🖥️Incorrect Recovery Partition Path

The WinRE image path might point to the wrong partition especially if the disk was resized, cloned, or reformatted.

💾Disabled Recovery Environment

Sometimes the Recovery Environment is simply disabled, often after system optimization, partition management, or cloning. In this case, Windows knows WinRE exists but cannot access it.

How to Fix "The Windows RE Image Was Not Found"

The root causes mentioned above often imply some solutions. This section will present 5 methods to try resolving the "Windows RE Image Not Found" issue. Let's explore them one by one.

Fix 1. Re-enable WinRE

Sometimes, WinRE is simply disabled. You just need to re-enable it using Command Prompt, the issue will be solved easily:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt and run it as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the following command and hit "Enter" key after every command:

Check the WinRE status: reagentc /info

If it says Windows RE status: Disabled, re-enable it: reagentc /enable

Recheck the status: reagentc /info

If it still shows the "REAGENTC.EXE: The Windows RE image was not found" error, this may be because the WinRE image file has been completely deleted, please move on to the other methods below.

Fix 2. Rebuild WinRE

When you clone, repartition, or move system files, may cause Windows has lost track of WinRE image location. But as long as the WinRE image files still exist on the hard drive (haven’t been deleted or formatted), there’s still a chance to recover them. Follow these steps to rebuild and enable it.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt and run it as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the following command:

Disable the Current Recovery Environment: reagentc /disable

Link to Correct Recovery Image Path: reagentc /setreimage /path C:\Recovery\WindowsRE (Replace the drive letter C: with the actual drive letter where Winre.wim is located)

Re-enable the Recovery Environment: reagentc /enable

Verify the Configuration: reagentc /info

You should see "Windows RE status: Enabled".

Fix 3. Manually Restore the WinRE Image File from Installation Disk

If you accidentally formatted the recovery partition or deleted the Winre.wim file entirely, manually restoring the WinRE image files from the installation media can fix "the Windows RE image was not found" error (If you've created an installation disk for your computer).

Step 1. Insert the installation media into your computer and enter BIOS, then choose the installation USB to boot your computer.

Step 2. Open the installation media in File Explorer and locate the Winre.wim file, then note its path.

Step 3. Open Command Prompt and enter the following command:

Dism

DISM.EXE /Mount-wim /?

IDSM.EXE /Mount-wim /WimFile:[Path of the Wim file] /index: 1 /MountDir:[the target munt directory] /Readonly (mount the WIM file to the specific directory so that it's available for your computer.)

Step 4. Once the mount is completed, you can check the Windows RE image file in the target directory. Then you can put the WIM file to a location where it should be.

Step 5. Follow the Fix 1 to re-enable it and your computer will work normally.

Fix 4. Use Your Computer Brand System Recovery Tool

Many PC brands like ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo include their own built-in recovery tools that can reinstall system without losing data. Taking an ASUS laptop as an example, when a WinRE image error occurs on the computer, you can use the Cloud Recovery to re-download a brand-new system image that includes the Winre.wim file.

Cloud Recovery is completely independent of the hard drive. Even if you replace the SSD, it can automatically install the system and all drivers without any installation media. While installing the system, it will automatically recreate the recovery partition on your hard drive and place the new Winre.wim file in it.

Step 1. Turn on your computer, then press and hold F12 to enter WinRE.

Step 2. Go to "Troubleshoot" > "MyASUS in WinRE".

Step 3. Click "Cloud Recovery" and make sure your computer is connected to WiFi.

Step 4. This process will erase all your personal files. You'd better back up your files to an external hard drive. Select your external storage device and files you want to backup, then click "Next".

Step 5. When the backup is completed, click "Yes" to start the cloud recovery process.

Wait for the process to complete, your computer has been restored. Now you can configure your system as you like.

Fix 5. Use USB Installation to Reset Windows

If your computer doesn’t have a similar recovery tool, you can also reset the system using installation media (If available). This allows you to reset or reinstall Windows even without a working recovery environment.

Step 1. Insert the installation drive into your computer and boot the computer with the drive.

Step 2. Choose "Repair your computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Reset this PC".

Step 3. Selecting "Keep my files" will preserve all your personal files on the C drive. Then, choose how you want to reinstall Windows and click "Reset" to start the process.

How to Recover Data If Windows Still Fails to Boot

If your PC still refuses to boot after all these fixes, your main concern may shift to recovering your files. In that case, a dedicated tool like MyRecover can help. MyRecover is designed to perform data recovery from various complex data recovery scenarios, including recovering data after reinstall Windows and even from an unbootable system. Using MyRecover, you can create a bootable recovery drive and extract your data safely.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on a working computer from Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Launch MyRecover and select "PC Crashed Recovery", click "USB Boot Device" and "Create" to start the process.

Step 3. Wait for the USB bootable device creating successfully. Insert the bootable USB into the computer with "the Windows RE image was not found" error.

Step 4. Power on the unbootable computer and enter BIOS, choose the USB drive to boot the computer. Then you will enter the interface of MyRecover.

Step 5. Select the C drive to scan for losing files and click "Scan".

Step 6. Choose the files you wish to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 7. Select a safe location (it's better an external hard drive) to save the recovered files.

Once completion of the recovery process, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can check the recovered files in the destination folder path by clicking on "Browse" button.

The End

The "REAGENTC.EXE: The Windows RE image was not found" error can feel intimidating, you can regain access to Windows using above methods. And if Windows still won’t boot, MyRecover ensures your important files are never truly gone, even from the most damaged systems.

If you often deal with multiple systems or clients, consider trying MyRecover Technician Edition, a comprehensive business data recovery solution that supports use on multiple PCs with just one license, designed for IT professionals and MSPs.