FIX: The Windows RE image was not found. (Solved)
If you try to enable the Windows Recovery Environment on a Windows 11/10 based computer and you receive the error "The Windows RE image was not found", continue reading below to fix the problem.
Problem details: After issuing the "reagentc /enable" command to enable Windows RE, the following error may occur: "REAGENTC.EXE: Windows RE image not found".
Why is the error "Windows RE image not found" occurring?
To be able to activate the Windows Recovery Environment (also known as "Windows RE" or "WinRE), the following two (2) files are required to be present in this location on disk: "C:\Windows\System32\Recovery".
- ReAgent.xml
- Winre.wim
If any of these files are missing*, then when you run the command "reagentc /enable" to enable WinRE, you will get the error "Windows RE image not found". To solve the problem, follow the steps mentioned below.
* Note: Usually the missing file is the "Winre.wim" which is the WinRE image that contains the files needed to activate Windows RE.
How to FIX: "REAGENTC.EXE: Windows RE image not found" error in Windows 11/10.
Step 1. Download Windows ISO file.
To obtain the above mentioned files (Reagent.xml & Winre.wim), that needed to enable WinRE, you need a Windows ISO file according your Windows version. (Windows 10 or Windows 11)
If you don't own a Windows ISO file, then, according to your Windows version, proceed to download Windows 10 or Windows 11 in a ISO file using the instructions on this article.
Step 2. Extract Required files from a Windows 10/11 ISO file.
Once you have the Windows ISO file, apply the below steps to extract the "Reagent.xml" & "Winre.wim" files from it.
1. Download and install the 7-Zip file archiver.
2. Then, right-click and choose Mount or double-click on the Windows.iso file to mount it (open it), in File Explorer.
3. Explore the contents of the mounted ISO file and open the "sources" folder.
4. Right-click on the install.esd file (or on install.wim file) and select 7-Zip > Open archive.
5a. Now double-click to open any of the numbered folders (e.g. the "1" in this example), and…
5b. …navigate to this location:
- Windows\System32\Recovery\
6a. Then click the Extract button from the menu, and…
6b. …select to copy the ReAgent.xml & Winre.wim files to the "C:\sources\" folder and click OK.
7. When the extraction is completed, click Close and then then close the 7-Zip app.
8a. Now navigate and open the "C:\Sources" folder.
8b. Select the extracted files ("Reagent.xml" & "Winre.wim"), and then right-click and select Copy (or Cut).
8c. Then navigate to the following location, and…
- C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\
8d. …Paste the copied files inside the "Recovery" folder.
* Notes:
1. When asked, choose to Replace all files in the destination and then click Continue.
2. Important: In case of error in any of the remaining steps, copy again these files to "C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\" folder.
9. Once you copy the Reagent.xml & the Winre.wim files on "C:\Windows\System32\Recovery\" folder, open command prompt as administrator and issue the following command to enable the Windows Recovery Environment. The Windows Recovery Environment should be successfully enabled now.
- reagentc /enable
- Related article: How to Create a Recovery Partition if Missing on Windows 10/11.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers the 'Windows RE image not found' error when trying to enable Windows RE?
This error occurs when required files 'ReAgent.xml' and 'Winre.wim' are missing from the 'C:\Windows\System32\Recovery' folder. These files are necessary to activate the Windows Recovery Environment.
How can I fix the 'REAGENTC.EXE: Windows RE image not found' error in Windows 11/10?
To resolve the error, download a Windows ISO file for your version of Windows, extract the 'ReAgent.xml' and 'Winre.wim' files using a tool like 7-Zip, and place them in the 'C:\Windows\System32\Recovery' folder. Then, run the 'reagentc /enable' command as an administrator.
Where can I find the needed 'ReAgent.xml' and 'Winre.wim' files?
These files can be extracted from a Windows 10/11 ISO file. Within the mounted ISO's 'sources' folder, use a tool like 7-Zip to open the 'install.esd' or 'install.wim' file, and navigate to the 'Windows\System32\Recovery' directory to extract them.
What should I do if I encounter errors when copying the necessary files to the Recovery folder?
If errors occur during the copying process, try copying the 'ReAgent.xml' and 'Winre.wim' files again to the 'C:\Windows\System32\Recovery' directory, ensuring they replace any existing files.
- How to Update Third-Party Apps via Intune using WinGet AutoUpdate for Intune. - May 14, 2026
- How to Effectively Remove or Disable Microsoft Copilot on Windows 11. - May 11, 2026
- FIX: Device encryption is temporarily suspended and does not resume after the computer restarts (Windows 11). - May 5, 2026
October 23, 2025 @ 12:02 am
Worked perfectly. Well-written instructions, too. Your site is fresh air compared to so many awful and misleading sites out there.
September 13, 2025 @ 12:38 am
Downloading the iso took the longest time. Short and sweet. Thank you very much!
August 24, 2025 @ 10:41 pm
Thank you!!!
June 1, 2025 @ 2:47 pm
very very helpful. Thank you 🤝
May 9, 2025 @ 4:58 am
Thanks for the help!
May 3, 2025 @ 11:37 am
***thank you soooo much…..:-))) (last time, it took me around one and a half hours to recreate the recovery partition and, with Your instruction it was some minutes ,,, only…. Love& Peace…
please ask
April 18, 2025 @ 10:16 am
Worked a charm! Thank you.