2 Ways to Boot Windows Server 2016 to Recovery Mode

You can boot Windows Server 2016 to Recovery mode by interrupting the server boot 3 times or via the installation media. Read the details below.

Why Boot to Recovery Mode?

There are so many reasons you may want to boot Windows Server 2016 Recovery Mode:

1. Fix Boot errors
2. Uninstall problematic Windows updates
3. Restore the server to a previous restore point
4. Access Safe Mode boot options

Option 1: Boot to Recovery Mode By Interrupting the Boot

If you don’t have access to a Windows Server 2016 installation media (DVD or USB) you can still boot to Recovery Mode.

Here are the steps:

• Press the power button to boot your server. When the white circles start displaying, press the power button to power off the server.

• Power up the server again. Then turn it off when the boot circles show up.
• When you start the server the third time, it will initiate Preparing Automatic Repair. This may take between 2 to 5 minutes (depending on your server). Wait…

• Then it will boot to Recovery Mode! To display recovery mode options, click Troubleshoot.

• When you click Troubleshoot, Advanced options screen below will display.

The options are explained below:

1. System Image Recovery: Click this option if you previously enabled system restore and have available restore points.
2. Command Prompt: This will load a command prompt. You can then run cmd commands. One very useful command to fix most problems is DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth.
3. UEFI Firmware Settings: When you click this option, your server will boot to UEFI BIOS.
4. Startup Settings: This is one hidden gem! This gives you options to display Safe mode boot options.

The next section demos how to boot Windows Server 2016 to Recovery mode with a Server 2016 installation media.

Option 2: Boot to Recovery Mode from Installation Media

To boot to Recovery mode using a Server 2016 DVD or USB:

• Insert the media into your server (USB or DVD)
• Then modify your boot sequence to boot from the above media first
• Power up your server. Watch out for this screen to confirm boot from CD or DVD. Then pres any key to continue.

• At Windows Boot Manager, select Windows Setup [EMS Enabled]. Then press Enter on your keyboard.

• At Windows Server 2016 installation screen, click Next.

• Then click Repair your computer.

• After a about a minute, Recovery Mode will be displayed. This is the same page from booting to Recovery Mode using the first method.

• Like in the first method, to display more Recovery Mode options, click Troubleshoot. But, as you can see this offers less repair options. It offers the first 3 options but Startup Repair is not included.

Conclusion

As discussed in this guide you can boot Windows Server 2016 to recovery in two ways: 1, by interrupting normal boot twice. 2, Booting from Windows Server 2016 installation media.

Both methods offer you 3 options: System Image Recovery, Command Prompt, and UEFI Firmware Settings.

However, the first method offers one additional option – Startup Repair. This is used to boot Windows Server 2016 to safe mode.

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Lastly, for more Server 2016 fixes, visit our Windows Server 2016 page.