Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset

The Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Package (MDOP), which is available by subscription for volume-license customers with Software Assurance. It also can be acquired for evaluation purposes through Microsoft MSDN subscriptions. Each version of DaRT is designed to work on a specific version of Windows. The version of
DaRT designed for devices running Windows 8.1 will not install on the Windows 10 Technical Preview; a new version should appear within a few months after the release of Windows 10.  The chief benefit of DaRT is that it provides extended recovery and repair options beyond those provided in Windows RE. DaRT supports UEFI boot and can create Windows Imaging Format (.wim) or ISO images that can be deployed with USB media. Using DaRT, an organization also can allow remote connections within the recovery partition, thus enabling support staff to reach a computer for recovery without having to be physically present at the computer.  A default DaRT installation adds a Recovery Image Wizard that can be used to create an image for IT professionals that allows local users to perform a range of recovery tasks. The current version of this DaRT toolset includes Disk Commander, which can be used to repair damaged disk partitions and volumes; a Crash Analyzer, which makes sense of crash dump files; and a Hotfix Uninstall tool that can be used if a hotfix causes problems with a PC.  Some organizations deploy DaRT as the default recovery partition in standard images. Doing so makes the recovery tools available at all times and eliminates the need for bootable removable media.