A pre-configured, bootable environment designed for system rescue, diagnosis, and repair can be created on a USB drive. This environment typically includes a suite of utilities for tasks such as data recovery, virus scanning, disk cloning, and hardware testing. A common use case involves situations where a computer’s operating system fails to load, requiring an alternative method for accessing and fixing the system.
The advantage of this approach lies in its portability and self-contained nature. It enables users to perform critical maintenance tasks without relying on a functional operating system installation. Historically, such tools were often distributed on CDs or DVDs. However, the prevalence of USB drives and their faster read/write speeds have made them a preferred medium. This facilitates quicker boot times and overall improved performance when running diagnostic and repair tools.
