What you need to know
- Due to a bug, recovery discs created with the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) app will not work with systems running Windows updates from after January 11, 2022.
- Microsoft is working on a fix for the issue but has not shared a timeline for its upcoming update.
- Third-party backup and recovery apps are not affected by the issue.
If you prefer to restore your PC through a physical disc, such as a CD or DVD, you may run into an issue. According to a Microsoft support document, any PC running a Windows update from after January 11, 2022 will not be able to use a recovery disc created with the Back and Restore (Windows 7) app in Control Panel (via Bleeping Computer).
"After installing the Windows updates released January 11, 2022 or later Windows versions on an affected version of Windows, recovery discs (CD or DVD) created by using the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) app in Control Panel might be unable to start," said Microsoft.
"Recovery discs that were created by using the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) app on devices which have installed Windows updates released before January 11, 2022 are not affected by this issue and should start as expected."
Despite the Backup and Restore app having Windows 7 in its name, it also works with Windows 11. The app is part of the restoration process outlined by Microsoft support.
Microsoft's support document does not explain why the latest Windows updates prevent recovery discs from working. It just notes that the company is working on a fix and that an update will come out in a future release.
No third-party backup or recovery apps are affected by the issue, according to Microsoft.
If you'd like to move away from using CDs and DVDs to backup and restore your system, you can check out our guide on how to create a full backup of your Windows 11 PC. We also have a guide on how to backup your PC automatically on Windows 10.
