How to Backup Files If Windows Doesn't Boot
Need to backup files when Windows fails to boot
If your Windows won't boot, it can be caused by various reasons. If you're unable to boot into Windows and haven't backed up your files, you'll lose access to all the files stored on the computer.
Many users try to fix Windows Startup issues using recovery tools, but some errors can't be resolved through the recovery environment. However, it's still possible to backup important files like documents, pictures, music, and other data, even if Windows fails to boot.
If your Windows computer won't boot, you can still backup your files using a USB drive or an external hard drive. You can also use a Linux live USB to access your files and transfer them to a safe location. If you have a Windows installation media, you can use the built-in System Restore feature to revert to a previous point and then backup your files. Alternatively, you can use a third-party tool like EaseUS Todo Backup to create a disk image or clone your hard drive.
- Backup files in Safe Mode of Windows 10/8/7
- Backup files with Windows installation disc
- Backup files without booting into Windows via backup freeware
Backup files in Safe Mode of Windows 10/8/7
If your computer won't boot, you can try booting it from Safe Mode Command Prompt and use the WBadmin command backup utility to backup files in safe mode, allowing you to access and save important data despite the boot issue.
1. Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
In Windows 7:
- Start your computer, and press the F8 key repeatedly.
- To access the Advanced Boot Options, restart your computer and immediately start tapping the F8 key. This will lead you to a menu where you can select Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Use the arrow key to select this option.
In Windows 8/10:
To get into Safe Mode with Command Prompt, you'll need to force shut down your computer 3 times. After that, restart your computer and select "Restart" in the Startup Settings. From there, press the number 6 or the F6 key to access Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
2. To backup data without booting into Windows, you will enter the command prompt and use the WBadmin command to backup your data. For example, to backup the C: drive to an external hard drive (F:), you would type the following commands: 1. WBadmin 2.
Wbadmin Proceed -backuptarget:F: -include:C:
To avoid losing data, if you need to replace the hard drive, you should use WBadmin to back up the entire hard drive, preserving all the old data on it.
3. After entering Safe Mode, you'll see a detailed operation and be asked for confirmation. Simply type "Y" to initiate the backup process, and the files will be transferred out once the procedure is complete.
Backup files with Windows installation disc
If you're unable to boot your computer in Safe Mode, you may need to resort to more drastic measures. One option is to boot from a Windows installation disc, which can help you access your system and potentially resolve the issue.
1. Insert the Windows installation disc into the unbootable PC, turn it on, and press any key to boot from the CD or DVD when prompted.
2. Windows starts loading files from the installation disc, then gets into the Install Windows screen, where you can click "Repair your computer" in the lower-left corner.
3. To access the Command Prompt in Windows 10, go to the Choose an option window, click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and finally select Command Prompt.
4. When the Command Prompt opens, type 'notepad' and press Enter to launch a Notepad window. Then, in the Notepad window, click 'File' and select 'Open'.
5. To select all files, ensure the "Files of type" field is set to "All Files" and then click on "Computer/This PC".
6. You can use this Open dialog as if it were a Windows Explorer window - select files and you'll be able to copy and paste them to a USB drive or removable hard drive you connected to your computer.
* Do not double-To avoid this, click on any files you want to open in Notepad, but do not double-click on them. Instead, right-click on the file and select "Edit" or "Open with Notepad" from the context menu.
After backing up files without OS, you can close the windows and shut down your computer.
Backup files without booting into Windows via backup freeware
If you can't boot from Safe Mode and don't have a Windows installation disc, it's recommended to use a free third-party software like Qiling Disk Master to create a backup.
◑ There are various backup types, including Disk Backup, File Backup, System Backup, and Partition Backup, each serving a specific purpose such as backing up all files, specific files/folders, the entire system, or a partition.
◑ You can create automatic backups with the Schedule Backup feature.
◑ You can create a bootable media, such as a USB drive or CD/DVD, to run backup and restore operations even when Windows is not booting. This allows you to perform essential tasks, like backing up your data or restoring your system to a previous state, even if Windows is not functioning properly.
To backup files when your computer won't boot, you'll need three essential things: a working computer, a USB drive or external hard drive with enough space to store your files, and a live Linux distro or a Windows installation media. With these tools, you can boot from the live media, access your computer's hard drive, and transfer your files to the external storage device, effectively backing up your data even when your computer won't start normally.
- A spare flash drive of 32GB or more, which you must wipe to store Windows boot files.
- To set up a bootable USB flash drive, you'll need a working computer with Windows installed. This computer will be used to create the bootable USB drive.
- To access your files on an unbootable PC, you'll need an external drive, a large flash drive, or cloud storage space to backup or copy your files. This allows you to retrieve your important data even if the PC itself is no longer operational.
After preparing the Qiling Disk Master, you can use it to backup files without booting Windows. First, you need to prepare the necessary software and hardware, including a computer, a USB drive, and the Qiling Disk Master software.
Step 1. To start, download and install Qiling Disk Master on the working computer. Next, plug in the USB flash drive to the computer and ensure it is detected.
Step 2. Launch Qiling Disk Master and click Tools -> Create Bootable Media to create a bootable USB drive.
Step 3. To rewrite the BIOS, you can specify the storage media. Select USB Boot Device, click Next, and wait till the process is complete.
Step 4. After creating a bootable USB drive, you can close the program, eject the USB drive from the working computer, plug in the USB drive and external hard drive to the unbootable Windows PC, and proceed with the recovery process.
Step 5. Start the problematic PC from the bootable USB drive. If it boots smoothly, the Qiling Disk Master interface will appear. From there, navigate to Backup -> File Backup.
Note: To change the boot order so you can boot from the USB drive, you may need to enter your computer's BIOS. This is usually done by pressing a specific key (like F2, F12, or Del) as your computer starts up.
Step 6. Add the files or folders you need to backup on the unbootable PC, select the external hard drive as the destination drive, click Proceed, and wait for the progress to complete.
Tips:
👉 To backup files with a specific file extension, you can upgrade to Qiling Disk Master Professional, which provides advanced features such as System Clone, Universal Restore, and Real-Time Sync.
👉 When you create an account with Qiling, you can back up files to their cloud service, which provides 1TB of free storage for 15 days after signing up.
Conclusion
When Windows won't boot, you can try using Qiling Disk Master to create a bootable media, which can help you backup files even if you can't boot from Safe Mode or don't have a Windows installation disc. This method is especially useful for Windows Server OS users, who can use Qiling Disk Master Server.
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