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Strategies for an unbootable computer

The discussion herein is limited to how to save data files only, not fixing the computer or saving application programs.

You can follow instructions from Microsoft websites to create a bootable USB drive with Windows PE. Boot the computer using the USB bootable drive and save the data. In this section we also discuss an alternative method below.

Before fixing a broken computer, it is a good practice to save the data to an external hard drive following the steps below. Then disconnect the external hard drive from the computer to avoid its being accidentally formatted during repair. Repair procedures may cause permanent loss of data in many ways. For example all data on the boot drive will disappear if the computer is restored to factory settings by running a recovery disc. In this case the data can only be partially recovered afterwards.

Step 1: Remove the drive.

This step requires a screw driver and familiarity with handling delicate electronic parts. The exact procedure depends on whether the computer is a laptop or desktop and the specific model. Some key points:

Wear an anti-static wrist strap to avoid accumulating static body charges that may damage delicate electronic parts upon contact.
Be careful to not strip the heads of the screws holding the drive access panel.

Step 2: Install the drive in a USB enclosure.

Use a USB-C SSD enclosure for an SSD drive or USB SATA enclosure for a SATA drive. Install the drive in the enclosure.

Step 3: Plug the USB enclosure into a second computer.

Find a second computer running Windows®. The USB enclosure can be plugged into a USB port on the computer.

CheckDisk or ScanDisk must not be allowed to run while the computer boots up. They may cause irreversible data loss.

What if a second computer it not available?

Buy a new identical drive and install it in the broken computer. Restore the computer (with the new drive) to factory settings by using a recovery disc or CD. You can also install a new copy of Windows® on the new drive. The original computer in this case is also the "second computer".

Step 4: Determine the status of the failed drive

Use Windows® Explorer and Disk Manager to determine the status of the drive. If it is not shown in Disk Manager, the drive hardware is not working. If it is shown in Disk Manager, the drive hardware most likely is working normally.

One of the scenarios described below may occur.

Scenario 1: The drive is accessible in Explorer.

The drive is good. Data can be copied to an external drive.

Scenario 2: The drive is shown in Disk Manager but inaccessible in Explorer.

In Disk Manager the drive may be shown with or without a drive letter. See how to recover a corrupted drive.

Scenario 3: The drive is shown in Disk Manager but is unstable.

The drive works intermittently. See how to recover a drive that hangs or goes offline intermittently.

Scenario 4: The drive is undetectable by Disk Manager.

The drive hardware may not be working. See how to recover data from a drive undetectable by Disk Manager.

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