Think of WinPE as the base OS and WinRE as the user interface with some recovery tools added. If you are familiar with Windows PE (WinPE), this may sound similar.

(For more details on the default partition layout for UEFI-based PCs, see our partition layout documentation.)

WinRE is almost always located in a separate partition that immediately follows the main Windows partition. When talking to IT pros, enthusiasts, and other Microsoft employees, I like to refer to WinRE as the “blue screen of life.” Some agree with me out of politeness, but I believe the phrase resonates with many people because, at the end of the day, WinRE is typically used to fix something. We’ll also show how WinRE can enable a Windows 10 device that might have issues starting or applying the latest updates, get back to a good state. In this post, we're going to walk you through the tools in WinRE, offer tips and tricks for using it effectively, and, while we're at it, clear up common misconceptions around WinRE. (This process is sometimes referred to as SafeOS.)

WinRE is also used during the Windows update process to apply updates in specific paths or phases. The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a companion operating system installed alongside Windows 10, typically in a separate partition, that can help with troubleshooting, recovery, or booting from external media, such as a USB stick.

Deleting recovery partition windows 10