Rescue Files when Windows Won't

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Technical Level : Basic

Summary

Here's how to rescue your files to external USB when WIndows won't start. You can use
any bootable Windows installation media, Recovery Drive, or Repair CD.

Details

Files should always be backed up externally since the hard drive can die at any time and
they will be unrecoverable. In addition back valuable files up to the Cloud in case of fire.
To rescue your files to external USB when Windows cannot start, you can use whichever
method works here to access the Command Prompt from Boot, if necessary even your
bootable Windows installation media, Repair CD or Recovery Drive.
If needed now then Create Windows 10 Installation Media or Create installation media
for Windows 8.1.
Insert the bootable Windows installation media or Recovery drive.
Power up the PC, immediately and vigorously tap the BIOS Boot Menu Key, select the
media to boot (as a UEFI device if offered) from menu like this:

At first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt:

If this fails go to the next screen, choose Repair Your Computer,

then Troubleshoot:
Then Advanced Options:

Then Command Prompt.

In Command Prompt type notepad.exe
In Notepad, click File, then Open. This will open a Mini-Explorer that you can use to
locate folders or individual files needing rescue, right click to Send to USB drive or DVD.
During copying there will be no progress bar and PC will appear to be frozen. You only
need to wait it out as it will unfreeze as soon as the copying is finished.

For example from booted Windows 10 flash installer, I chose my Pictures folder which is
4.7 gb, Sent it to the same flash stick that was booting the PC. On a Core i5 Lenovo
Laptop with 8 gb RAM, it took 10 minutes to copy the entire folder after which I could
continue as needed.
Before moving on to reinstall Windows, after you're sure copying has finished, Close the
command Box, remove rescue media, put it in another PC to check that everything is
there - especially that no folder was only partially copied.
If you have any doubts that you have everything you need, then be sure to read Clean
Install Windows 10
or Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which provide a complete checklist of everything that must
be remembered to back up before reinstalling. Even the hidden Program Data and
AppData folders are available and unhidden in boot mode to copy needed files.
An alternative mini-Explorer to use in the Windows bootable installation or repair media
is demonstrated in Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console.
There is also a last-resort method to rescue files while installing although it results in less
than a fully clean install because you cannot delete or even format partitions, only select
C and click Next. This tells the installer to archive your User folders along with the entire
previous install in a C:\windows.old folder where you can find them to copy out after
install, then delete that huge folder using Disk Cleanup for System Files: Disk cleanup in
Windows 10 - Windows Help -
Alternative bootable rescue tools include Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition
or a Linux disk such as Peppermint3 - Create Live CD DVD USB To Use For Emergency
Backup.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions below and let us know how it goes.
I will keep working with you until it's resolved.
How to Use a Windows Installer Disc to Back Up
Your Files When Your Computer Won’t Boot
by Chris Hoffman on January 24th, 2013

If Windows won’t boot, recovering your files can be a headache. You do not have to
pull the hard drive or use a Linux live CD – you can use a Windows installer disc to
quickly back up your files.

We have included steps for both Windows 8 and Windows 7 here – the process is
basically the same on each. You can use a Windows 7 disc to back up files from a
Windows 8 system or vice versa.

Boot From a Windows Installer Disc

First, insert a Windows installer disc (or a USB drive with the Windows installer on it)
into your computer and restart your computer. If everything is working properly, you
will see a “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message. Press a key to enter
the installer. If you do not see this screen, you may need to change the boot settings
in your computer’s BIOS.
Click the Next option and select Repair Your Computer. You will see this option at
the bottom-left corner of the window, whether you are using a Windows 7 or Windows
8 installer disc.

If you are using a Windows 8 installer disc, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options
> Command Prompt.
If you are using a Windows 7 installer disc, select the Restore your computer using a
system image you created earlier option, click Next, click Cancel, and click Cancel
again.
You will see the System Recovery Options window – click Command Prompt to
launch a Command Prompt window.

When you see a Command Prompt, type notepad and press Enter to launch a
Notepad window. Click File and select Open in the Notepad window.
Ensure you select the All Files option at the bottom of the window, and then click the
Computer option.

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 elsewhere. If you connect a USB drive or
removable hard drive to your computer, you will be able to copy-paste files onto it.
Do not double-click any files or Notepad will try to open them, possibly freezing. If
Notepad freezes on you, go back to the Command Prompt window and
type taskmgr to launch the Task Manager. You can end the frozen Notepad task and
re-launch Notepad.
Once you are done copying your files off your hard drive, you can close the windows
and shut down your computer. Or, if you plan on reinstalling Windows anyway, you
can now begin performing a clean installation with your files safely backed up.