3 Methods: Easily Recover Files From Unbootable Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Why Windows 10 Gets Unbootable?

Windows 10, while generally stable, can sometimes fail to boot properly, leaving users unable to access their systems or important files. An unbootable Windows system can be a frustrating and alarming situation, especially if you haven’t backed up your data. This issue can occur for various reasons, ranging from software corruption to hardware failure. Understanding the potential causes is crucial for troubleshooting orrecovering files from unbootable Windows 10.

1. Corrupted System Files: System files may become damaged due to improper shutdowns, malware, or failed updates, preventing Windows from starting properly.

2. Windows Update Failures: Incompatible or interrupted updates can corrupt the boot configuration or system files, resulting in a boot failure.

3. Hard Drive Failure: A failing or failed hard drive may have bad sectors or mechanical issues that stop Windows from reading necessary boot files.

4. Driver Issues: Corrupt or incompatible drivers, especially for critical hardware (e.g., storage controllers), can prevent the OS from booting.

5. Malware or Virus Attacks: Some malware targets system boot records or essential Windows components, making the system unbootable.

6. Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD): If the BCD store is damaged or missing, Windows won't know how to start. This is a common reason for boot loops or error messages like "Boot device not found."

7. Power Outages or Forced Shutdowns: Unexpected shutdowns during critical system processes can result in disk corruption or incomplete file writes.

3 Methods: How to Recover Files from Unbootable Windows10 or Windows 11

If your Windows 10 system becomes unbootable, it's natural to worry about the safety of your important files. Fortunately, even if the system won't start, your data may still be intact and accessible through alternative means. In this section, we will introduce 3 different methods to help you recover files from an unbootable Windows 10 (or Windows 11) system. Take a look at each solution and decide which one aligns best with your preferences and current scenario.

Method 1: Connect the Hard Drive to AnotherWorkingComputer

If your Windows 10 or 11 system won’t boot but the hard drive itself is still physically functional, one of the most effective ways to recover your files from unbootable system is: remove the drive and connect it to another working computer. This method requires some basic hardware and a bit of care, but it often allows you to access your files directly and safely. To proceed, follow these steps in order:

1. Shut Down and Prepare the Computer

Turn off the unbootable computer completely. Unplug the power cable, remove the battery (if applicable), and disconnect all external devices such as USB drives or SD cards to prevent any interference.

2. Remove the Internal Hard Drive

Carefully remove the internal hard drive from your non-booting PC. If you’re unsure how to do this, search online using your computer’s model or serial number to find a step-by-step guide or video tutorial specific to your device.

★Tip:You can click the following video for a complete guide

3. Insert the Drive into an External Enclosure

Place the removed hard drive into a compatible external hard drive enclosure or connect it via a SATA-to-USB adapter. This transforms the internal drive into a plug-and-play external drive.

4. Connect to a Working Computer

Plug the enclosure or adapter into another working computer. If possible, use a computer from the same manufacturer (e.g., Dell to Dell) to improve compatibility, though this isn’t always necessary.

5. Access and Recover Your Data

Once connected, the drive should appear on the working computer as an external storage device. Open it in File Explorer and begin browsing your files. Copy important documents, photos, or any critical data to a secure backup location, such as an external drive or cloud storage.

Method 2: Use a Bootable USB Drive with Professional File Recovery Software

If you're unable or unwilling to remove the hard drive, or if Method 1 doesn’t work for your situation, don’t worry—there’s another powerful solution: use a bootable USB drive loaded with a data recovery program.This method is especially useful if you prefer not to disassemble your device or if you want a more user-friendly recovery process.

We recommend using MyRecover, an easy-to-use and professional data recovery tool. It supports bootable media creation and allows you to recover lost or inaccessible files from unbootable systems with a few simple clicks.To do this, go through the following steps:

1. Prepare a USB Drive and a Working Computer

Get a blank USB drive (at least 8GB recommended) and a second computer that is working properly. This will be used to download and install MyRecover.

2. Create a Bootable USB with MyRecover

Download and install MyRecover on the working computer from the official website. Launch the program and go to the "Advanced Recovery" section. Select "PC Crashed Recovery" and follow the on-screen instructions to write the recovery environment onto the USB drive.

3. Insert the Bootable USB into the Unbootable Computer

Plug the bootable USB into the system that won’t boot. Power on the PC and immediately enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing "F2", "F12", "DEL", or "ESC"—check your screen for the right key).

4. Change Boot Order and Start from USB

In the BIOS menu, change the boot priority to boot from the USB drive first. Save changes and restart the computer.

5. Run MyRecover and Scan the Drive

Once the system boots into the MyRecover environment, you will enter the main interface of MyRecover automatically. Select the target drive or partition you want to recover files from. Click "Scan" to begin the file recovery process.

6. Preview and Recover Files

After scanning, you can preview the found files. Select the ones you want to recoverand click "Recover" button.

7. Save Files to A Safe Location

Choose a safe location (preferably an external drive) to save them.

Method 3. Run Robocopy Commands in WinRE

If you're comfortable using command-line tools, there's also a manual but powerful method to retrieve your data—especially if you can access the Windows Recovery Environment or a Command Prompt via installation media.

Robocopy (Robust File Copy) is a powerful command-line utility built into Windows that can efficiently copy files and directories—even when the system is unbootable. Using Robocopy in WinRE lets you transfer your important data from the damaged drive to an external storage devicewithout installing third-party software. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide on how to use Robocopy to recover files from unbootable Windows 10 system:

1.Connect an External Storage Device

Plug in a USB drive or external hard drive where you want to back up filesyou are going to recover from the unbootable computer.

2. Access Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Power on your PC and interrupt the boot process three times in a row (turn off the PC during Windows loading) to trigger WinRE.Alternatively, boot from Windows installation media (USB/DVD) and choose "Repair your computer"> "Troubleshoot"> "Advanced options"> "Command Prompt".

★Check out how to create Windows installation media when you don’t have one.

3. Identify Drive Letter in Command Prompt

Drive letters in WinRE may differ from normal Windows. Use the command below to list drives and volumes:

• diskpart
• list volume
• exit

Keep in mind the drive letter of your target partition (e.g., "C:") and the external storageyou just connected(e.g., "E:").

4. Use Robocopy to Copy Files

Use the following command syntax to copy files from the source drive (your system drive) to the destination drive (external storage). The basic command structure is: robocopy [source] [destination]

[source] : The path to the folder or file you want to copy from. [destination]: The path to the folder or location you want to copy to.

Example: robocopy C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents E:\Backup\Documents /E /COPYALL /R:3 /W:5

Replace Your User Name with your actual user name like Emily.

★Explanation:

/E: Copies all subdirectories, including empty ones.

/COPYALL: Copies all file attributes, including data, security permissions, timestamps, etc.

/R:3: Retries up to 3 times if an error occurs during copying.

/W:5: Waits 5 seconds between each retry attempt.

Once completed, safely eject the external drive and check on another working computer to ensure your files were copied correctly.

Summary

Recovering files from an unbootable Windows 10 or 11 system may seem daunting, but there are several reliable methods available. Among these, MyRecover stands out as the most user-friendly and comprehensive solution. With its intuitive interface, powerful scanning capabilities, and support for bootable media, MyRecover allows even non-technical users to retrieve their valuable files quickly and safely.

If you frequently need to recover files across multiple computers, consider using the Technician edition,. It allows you to use a single license on unlimited devices, making it an ideal solution for IT professionals, service providers, or anyone managing multiple systems.