How To Backup Data Without Booting Into Windows (The Easy Way)
Posted May 23, 2012 – 7:08 pm in: Windows 7 Guides, Windows 8 GuidesAt times, we come across Windows boot issues that prevent us from booting into Windows. Sure, one can use Windows recovery tools to fix most of startup related issues but there are some errors that can’t be fixed through recovery environment.
If you’re having boot problems on your Windows PC and can’t fix them even after using recovery tools (see how to fix boot problems using startup repair) present under System Recovery Options, you may want to backup your documents, pictures, music and other data before reinstalling Windows.
While there are advanced methods and software available to backup data, not everyone is comfortable using command line tools and paid software. So, in this guide, we are going show you a smart way to backup data from your Windows and other drives to a USB drive when you are unable to boot into Windows.
Step 1: Turn on your PC, press F8 key during the startup and then select Repair Your Computer option under Advanced Boot Options to boot into the recovery environment. If you can’t see Repair Your Computer option under Advanced Boot Options you will need to use the installation media.
If the above method doesn’t work, place your Windows installation DVD in the optical drive, reboot your PC. Make necessary changes to the BIOS to make PC boot from CD/DVD. You can also use bootable Windows USB as installation media.
Step 2: Users who aren’t booting from DVD or USB can simply skip this step. Press any key when are asked to do so. When you press a key, Windows starts loading files from the DVD you will see “Windows is loading files” message.
Step 3: In a while, you will see Install Windows screen. Here, select your language, keyboard type, language, and then click Next button.
Users who have used Repair Your Computer under Advanced Boot Options will see the following screen:
Select keyboard input method and click Next button and type in the password and then skip to Step 5.
Step 4: In the following screen, you will see Install now button. Don’t click Install now button as dong so will take you to the next screen. Click Repair your computer option located in the lower left corner to start System Recovery Options. System Recovery Options will search for Windows installations and list them. Select the operating system, click Next button to see available recovery tools.
Step 5: In this screen, you will all available System Recovery Options.
Step 6: Click on Command Prompt. No, we are not going to use the command line to backup data but we are using the Command Prompt to launch an application with GUI so we can easily move or backup files from a familiar user interface.
In the Command Prompt, type Notepad.exe and press Enter key to launch our favorite Notepad application. Once the application is launched, click on File > Save As (you use Ctrl + S keys as well) to launch Save As dialog.
Step 7: Save As dialog is what we wanted as from here we can easily browse all drives and folders without a problem. Simply click on Computer icon in the left pane and then browse to the drive or folder that you want to backup and then copy your files to a USB drive. That’s it!
Please note when you are browsing a drive or folder, all files may not appear as Save As dialog is showing only text files. To view all files, simply select All Files in Save as type drop down menu. Also note that the Send to function in the context menu may not work. You may need to manually copy and paste required files onto the USB drive. Good luck!
Tags: Backup, windows
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10 Comments
I have been repairing computers for donkey’s years and never heard of this tip before. Excellent…
Thanks for the comment. Yes, most of Windows users aren’t aware of this tip.
Excellent article. I work professionally in IT and I’ve used this technique before in a pinch to get a backup running of a PC that may or may not fail. I’m sure you’ve been there before. What a headache!
I also prefer to use other tools like CloneZilla. Especially when dealing with drive failure situations.
On an unrelated note, after you get everything working using this guide I’d highly recommend setting up Windows backup to automatically run. If you run Windows 7 professional it can be done in a pinch and is fully customizable. In terms of general day-to-day backup software I really do like the default Windows Professional backup suite.
Anyway, I don’t want to get too carried away. Great article!
Thank you admin, nice tip.
Thank you admin, nice tip.
You’ve just saved my life. I’ll be thankful for the rest of my life!
Good to know that my guide helped you. Thanks for your sweet comment.
I will forEVER be indebted to you. You are GOD in my eyes. Thank you.
i’ve been using windows live cd for backup, that also help me a lot as i could take entire system backup
thanks for the updated tip
I need to know, how to recover data after format?
What if i can’t even see my C drive and D drive ? there’s only that Boot (X) drive. Please Help !