Windows 11 includes a built-in recovery environment called WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) which can help you troubleshoot and recover the system. For example, if your system is unable to boot or too unstable, you can open WinRE and use System Restore to restore a known good state of the OS. While useful in many situations, there might be times you want to disable WinRE.
For instance, maybe it’s because of security concerns or to prevent unauthorized access to recovery tools. Once the Windows Recovery Environment is disabled, you cannot access tools such as startup repair, system restore, Command Prompt, etc., from the advanced startup screen.
Whatever the reason, you can disable WinRE with just a single command. This tutorial shows you how.
Disable WinRE on Windows 11
If you want to disable WinRE, follow the steps provided below:
Step 1: Open the Windows Terminal application as admin on Windows 11. You can right-click on the start icon and choose Terminal (Admin).
Step 2: Run the command given below in the terminal window.
reagentc /disableStep 3: After running the command, close the terminal window.
Step 4: Restart your computer.
Once the system has been restarted, WinRE is disabled on Windows 11. Now, users can still access WinRE from the Settings app however advanced tools such as startup repair, system restore, Command Prompt, uninstall updates, etc.., won’t be available.
Check WinRE status
Windows has a simple command that lets you check whether WinRE is enabled or not. Here’s how to use it.
- Right-click on the start icon.
- Choose the Terminal (Admin) option.
- Run the
reagentc /infocommand. - The status will appear next to “Windows RE Status.”
- Enable – WinRE is enabled
- Disabled – WinRE is disabled
- Close the Terminal window.
That is it. I hope this tutorial helped you disable WinRE on Windows 11.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
