Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) is also useful for both automatic and manual system troubleshooting. For example, if Vista fails to start because of a corrupted system file, WinPE can automatically start and launch the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). You can also manually start WinPE to use built-in or custom troubleshooting and diagnostic tools.

For general troubleshooting, WinPE replaces MS-DOS boot disks when Vista cannot start properly. In fact, WinPE will automatically load and launch the WinRE Console if Windows Vista fails to start. IT departments can use WinPE for manual troubleshooting, too, and can leverage either the built-in tools or add tools to the WinPE image.

The WinRE and Setup Repair Wizard is a wizard that provides an user interface that allows end users to fix over 80 percent of the known causes for unbootable systems. A part of the recovery environment provides users with instructions to recover data that is locked by the Secure Startup feature. It can be customised to provide specific instructions based on an enterprise’s recovery key management policy.