This error usually occurs when the winre.wim file is missing from the Windows recovery folder. The winre.wim file is essential for resetting, upgrading, or repairing your system. In this article, we will explore how to retrieve this file and continue the reset process.
1. Run SFC and DISM
Since winre.wim is a critical system file, it is advisable to run the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) utilities first. These tools will scan for, repair, and restore corrupted files. SFC focuses on restoring corrupted system files, while DISM addresses system-wide issues.
2. Download the winre.wim File Manually
The error is triggered by the absence of the winre.wim file in the Windows recovery folder. To retrieve the file, you need to download the Windows ISO file and extract the winre.wim file using 7-zip. Follow the steps below:
Step 1. Download the Windows ISO file
To retrieve the Winre.wim file, first, download the Windows ISO file which contains the winre.wim file needed for the recovery folder. Detailed instructions on how to download the Windows 10 ISO and Windows 11 ISO can be found in our articles: how to download Windows 10 ISO and how to download Windows 11 ISO.
Step 2. Download 7-Zip
Unfortunately, you cannot extract files from a WIM or ESD file using WinRAR. Instead, download and install 7-Zip on your computer. You can download 7-Zip from their official website.
Step 3. Copy the winre.wim file
After downloading the ISO file and 7-Zip, proceed with the following steps:
3. Reinstall Windows
If the issue persists and your aim is merely to reset Windows, you can perform a repair installation which will eliminate all third-party apps. For detailed instructions, refer to our article on how to repair install Windows. Should that method fail, consider reinstalling Windows using a USB. Instructions for this can be found in our article on how to install windows.
