Cannot boot pc! Need to access files!

[ja206]

Hello! I was ironically about to begin the process of backing up my pc when I did a quick driver update and cumulative update and now my pc won't boot. It goes into an attempting repairs boot loop. I have tried letting that finish and then I tried restoring from a system image with no luck.

My files should still be on the internal drive no?
Could I remove the internal drive and plug into another pc? Or can I boot from a USB stick to access the files?
Thanks in advance

 

[realwarder]

Unless you are using Bitlocker then yes, you can put the drive in another PC and copy the files off it.

That is a good and safe option to do first if you are ok and familiar with moving hardware around, cabling and grounding yourself (touching the case) to prevent static damage.

You probably can boot from a USB stick and access the files too.

Likely your repair will ultimately consist of booting from a Windows 10 ISO and reinstalling Windows onto the drive - using the UPGRADE option so your data files are kept around.

Use the media creation tool here from another PC to make a USB drive/CD: https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...Fsoftware-download%2Fwindows10&token=FmlUeHFc

 

[ja206]

Hi! Thank you for reply. I was able to access command prompt under the recovery options. I found a trick to open notepad and access file explorer that way. I am copying files this way. Are all my files under the user folder? Should I copy this entire folder or just go father and copy specific mypictures and mydocuments folders?

 

[realwarder]

If you can get to the recovery menu then there are various troubleshooting options in there.

Most data will be under C:\users\<your login name>\

Older software may store data in any known location but Pictures/Documents/Videos are all in that folder.

You could probably copy all your data to an external USB drive using the xcopy command. Then try and repair Windows after you know your data is on a large flash drive.

 

[ja206]

I was able to copy inside the notepad file explorer. I am certainly trying to get my data off the drive before I try to recover from the USB windows installation. Can you think of any data like docs, pics, videos, that would not be in the user folder?

I appreciate all of your help

 

[realwarder]

The default File Save location these days is in the user folder. Only you would know if you have older apps that might save data elsewhere, or an old user folder. Just think back through your memory to what programs and where you might have browsed to when saving or loading data.

Check out: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

"

Use installation media to restore or reset your PC​

" is likely appropriate.

 

[ja206]

Thank you so much!