Windows 10 Yoga Recovery: Download the files needed to create a Lenovo USB Recovery key

The Lenovo Recovery Option enables you to get the Lenovo Recovery Media either through the Free Digital Download or Physical Recovery Media option (with a fee). You can determine your eligibility by entering your serial number on this page. In this article, we shall discuss “Windows 10 Yoga Recovery: Download the files needed to create a Lenovo USB Recovery key”. Please see how to create Windows 11 Bootable USB drive with the Media Creation Tool, and how to Create a Windows 10 or 11 bootable USB with UEFI support.

Kindly refer to this YouTube video on how to perform Lenovo Recovery

Recently, I was called upon to help out with the recovery of this device due to password loss. Unfortunately, the user does not have a Microsoft-connected account, no password reset disk was created, and no password hint whatsoever was set.

Be that as it may be, the Laptop was brought to me with a corruptable boot file. As such, I could not attempt accessing the PC via the administrator password via the safe mode.

Prerequisite for performing Yoga PC Recovery

Below are some system hardware prerequisites as specified by Lenovo in order to be able to recover your device successfully.

• 32GB or larger USB key, USB 2.0 or 3.0 key.
• A PC to download the recovery files and create the USB recovery key
• At least 20GB of free space for downloading recovery files, and a reliable internet connection.

Here are some exciting articles: How to create a dual-boot setup on Windows 11, and how to create a bootable USB using Rufus on Windows

Lenovo Digital Download Recovery Service (DDRS) 

In order to proceed with this Yoga PC Recovery. Kindly submit a recovery media order, and click on Get the Recovery Media Creator tool. You will need to use this link to get the Lenovo recovery media.

Type in the serial number of your device. You will be required to log in with your Lenovo account. Note: If your serial number is not recognized, try your local support team. In my case, the device is supported but was out of warranty.

On the Support for the recovery Media System program, click on Continue as shown below. See How to format a USB on macOS, and What are the components needed to create a certificate signing request.

Select your device and continue as shown below.

The Lenovo Digital USB Recovery Creator is available for download as shown below. Click on Digital Download to get the Recovery Creator tool.

You will also receive an email confirmation, if assistance is needed, please send email to recovery@lenovo.com. Note: A digital download order is active for 72 hours (3 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, it will remain active until the digital download has completed.

Alternatively, you can navigate to this page to download the Lenovo USB Recovery Creator

Create a Lenovo USB Recovery key

Run the Lenovo USB Recovery Creator tool, select the Download Recovery files and Create a Recovery USB key option.

This is because we do not already have the recovery files.

Type your Lenovo ID and password that was used when the digital download order was made. Then click the Sign-in button.

You will have to select the Digital Download order. Here is how to install SCConfigMgr Driver Automation Tool on Windows 10 and Windows Server.

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. For me, I will create a new folder and place the download there.

Depending on your network connection, this process may take several hours. The Lenovo Digital Download Tool shows the time remaining to complete the process.

You can pause the download process by clicking the Pause button and resume where you left off.

When the download is complete, click on Next to proceed with the USB selection.

Select the right USB

The recovery files have been downloaded. The inserted USB key which must be preformatted with NTFS or FAT32, and above 32GB in size must be inserted. Select the right USB and click on Next.

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.

Note: Copy any files you want to keep onto other media before you continue. Select the “Yes” button.

All the data on the selected USB key will be deleted as part of this process. 

Depending on the speed of the USB key (USB 2.0 or USB 3.0) and the PC, this process can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.

As you can see, the current progress is 14%. Wait until it is completed.

When the USB recovery key is ready, You will be prompted with the option to delete the Recovery File from your system. 

Because I will have the option to confirm this once more, I will select “Yes”.

Note: Once this key is deleted, you cannot re-create the USB. 

For sure, you can click on “Yes” to delete the recovery files or No, Exit to keep them and close the tool.

Perform Lenovo USB Recovery key by Installing Windows 10

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

Net, select your desired language and Region and click on Next.

Accept the “Terms and Conditions” as shown below.

If you wish to proceed, click on Yes. With this, you are agreeing to the loss of data on your drive.

As you can see below, the recovery is in progress!

When it is finished, click on Next.

The "Getting Started" Windows phase will be launched. 

This is an important stage of a Windows installation that is a crucial part of the process where the basic setup and initial configuration of the operating system take place.

This phase occurs after you boot your computer from the Windows installation media (DVD, USB, etc.) and begin the installation process.

In summary, the "Getting Started" phase is designed to set up the fundamental elements of the operating system, enabling you to start using Windows and further customize it according to your preferences and requirements.

At this time, sit back and relax. This process can take up to 20-50 minutes.

Note: This does not end the process as it can still take a while for the entire setup to complete.

Soon you will be welcome to configure the OOBE settings. You can see, this recovery has been done successfully.

I hope you found this blog post helpful on “Windows 10 Yoga Recovery: Download the files needed to create a Lenovo USB Recovery key”. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.