What’s so great about Hiren’s Boot USB?
The official Hiren’s Boot CD was a collection of utilities to diagnose problems or recover data from non-bootable computers. Since its development ceased in 2012, its users have taken over development. It is now based on 64-bit Windows 11 PE rather than Windows XP, and its utility software tools are all legal and free to use.
Although it is based on Windows 11 PE, it will probably boot PCs that cannot run the full Windows 11. However, if you are unsure, you can purchase a slightly earlier version based on Windows 10 PE.
Windows 11 PE (Preinstallation Environment)
Windows 11 PE is a lightweight version of Windows 11 designed primarily for deployment and recovery. Windows PE can be used by IT administrators, technicians, and system builders to:
- Install Windows: It serves as a bootable environment for installing or repairing full versions of Windows on a PC.
- Troubleshoot & Repair: With Windows PE, you can troubleshoot startup issues, repair the file system, and run diagnostics.
- Partition & Format Disks: Windows PE includes tools for disk management, such as partitioning and formatting.
- Create System Backups & Images: It can be used to back up or restore system images, particularly useful in enterprise or managed environments.
Windows PE is stripped down and does not include many standard Windows components, making it small and fast to load.
Windows Rescue Utilities
The Hiren’s Boot USB flash drive packages these freely available utilities, making Windows PE much more useful:
BCD-MBR Tools
- BootIce v1.3.3
- EasyBCD v2.3
Hard Disk Tools – Data Recovery
- CheckDisk GUI v0.3.1
- Lazesoft Data Recovery v4.7
- Puran Data Recovery v1.2.1
- Puran File Recovery v1.2.1
- Recuva v1.53.2096
- DMDE v4.0.6
- ReclaiMe build 4571
- PhotoRec v7.2
- Unstoppable Copier v5.2
- Victoria v5.37
- DiskInternals Linux Reader v4.19.2
- Paragon AppleFS for Windows v2.1.12
Hard Disk Tools – Defrag
Hard Disk Tools – Diagnostic
- GSmartControl v1.1.4
- HDDScan v4.1
- HDTune v2.55
- WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics v1.37
- Crystal Disk Info v9.2.2
- Test Disk v7.2
Hard Disk Tools – Imaging
- Acronis Cyber Protect b40901
- AOMEI Backupper v7.3.3
- Lazesoft Disk Image & Clone v4.7
- Macrium Reflect PE v7.3.5925
- Runtime DriveImage XML v2.60
- Drive Snapshot v1.50
Hard Disk Tools – Partition Tools
- AOMEI Partition Assistant v10.2.2
- Macrorit Partition Extender v2.3.1
- Macrorit Partition Expert v8.1.3
- DiskGenius v5.5.1.1508
- EaseUS Partition Master v14.5
Hard Disk Tools – Security
- HDD Low Level Format Tool v4.40
- Eraser v6.2.0.2993
- VeraCrypt v1.26.7
Windows Recovery
- Lazesoft Windows Recovery v4.7
Other Tools
- FSViewer v7.8
- Free Office rev 703
- Sumatra PDF v3.5.2
- 7-Zip v23.01
- ExamDiff Pro v1.9.3
- HxD v2.5.0
- Notepad++ v8.6.2
- WinMerge v2.16.36
- VLC Media Player v3.0.20
- TreeSize v4.7.1.525
- IrfanView v4.62
- NVDA v2023.3.3 (Ctrl + Alt + N)
Removable Drive Tools
- CDBurnerXP v4.5.8.7128
- Rufus v4.4
- ImageUSB v1.5.1006
Security – AntiVirus
- ESET Online Scanner v3.5.6
- McAfee Stinger v13.0.0.19
Security – KeyFinders
Security – Passwords
- Lazesoft Password Recovery v4.7
- NT Password Edit v0.7
- Windows Login Unlocker v2.1
System Tools
- CPU-Z v2.09
- GPU-Z v2.57
- HWInfo v7.68-5300
- Speccy v1.32.803
- WinNTSetup v5.3.3
- Attribute Changer v11.0
- Change Keyboard Layout v1.0.0
- Dependency Walker v2.2.6
- Registry Backup v4.0.0
- Regshot v2.0.1.70
- SysInternals Suite
- PowerShell Core v7.4.1
- Aqua Key Test
- ImDisk Virtual Disk Driver v2.0.9
- Total Commander v11.02
Network
- Aero Admin v4.7
- Google Chrome v121.0.6167.185
- Mozilla Firefox Quantum ESR v115.3.1esr
- PENetwork v0.59.0.B12
- Anydesk 7.1.13
- WinSCP v6.1.2
- Putty v0.80
