"My Windows 10 suddenly crashed and ceased functioning. I've attempted various methods to resolve the issue, but none have been successful. Now, I intend to take the laptop to a repair service. Before doing so, I wish to retrieve my files. Is it possible to recover data from a crashed Windows 10 system?"

"Windows 10/11 has crashed, how can I recover my files?"

Many users have the unpleasant experience of Windows 10 crashing. It often accompanies severe issues like the blue or black screen of death or the operating system failing to start.

The primary objective is to restore the system to a healthy state. However, this can seem daunting for regular Windows users who have little knowledge of OS repair. But what about the data? Is it feasible to recover data from a crashed computer?

But don't worry! Just follow the step-by-step tutorial guide to assist yourself:

    1. 1. Recover data after Windows 10 crash using powerful data recovery software
    2. 2. Safeguard the operating system and data from crashes

Part 1. Recover Data After Windows 10/11 Crash

Recovering data from a crashed Windows 10 system is straightforward when you have a backup that you can use to restore your files. However, if you don't have a backup, there are file recovery software tools available to assist you. In this case, the Data Recovery Wizard tool allows you to successfully recover data from a crashed Windows 10 when your computer fails to boot correctly.

Steps to recover data from a crashed Windows 10: 1. **Boot into Safe Mode**: - Restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key during startup to access the Advanced Boot Options menu. - Select "Safe Mode with Networking" to start your PC in a minimal environment. 2. **Connect a Backup Drive or USB**: - If you have a backup of your important files, plug in the external hard drive or USB containing the backup. 3. **System Restore**: - Press the Windows key + X, then choose "System." - Click on "Recovery" and then "Open System Restore." - Follow the prompts to choose a restore point prior to the crash. 4. **Use File History** (if enabled): - Open File Explorer, click on "This PC," then right-click on the affected drive and select "Restore previous versions." - Choose a version of the file before the crash and click "Restore." 5. **Third-Party Data Recovery Tools**: - Download and install a reputable data recovery software like Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery. - Launch the software and scan the crashed drive for lost files. - Preview and selectively recover the desired files. 6. **Check Disk Utility (chkdsk)**: - Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Win + X and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)." - Type `chkdsk /f /r X:` replacing "X" with the drive letter of the affected partition. - This will check for errors and attempt to fix them. 7. **Windows Repair Disc/USB**: - Create a Windows 10 Repair Disc or USB if you don't have one already. - Boot from it and choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Repair." 8. **Professional Assistance**: - If all else fails, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. Remember, prevention is key, so always maintain regular backups of your important data.

Step 1. Create a bootable disk

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard, select "Crashed PC Recovery", and click "Start Recovery".

choose crashed pc recovery
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Choose an empty USB drive to create the bootable drive and click "Create".

Warning: When creating a bootable disk, Data Recovery Wizard will erase all data saved on the USB drive. Back up important data beforehand.

create bootable USB

Step 2. Boot your computer from the bootable USB Boot your computer by inserting the USB drive that contains the bootable image. To do this, you'll typically need to access your computer's boot menu during startup. Here's how: 1. **Restart your computer**: Turn off your computer and then turn it back on. 2. **Enter the boot menu**: As your computer starts up, press the designated key to enter the boot menu. This key is usually displayed on the screen during the initial boot process (common keys include F2, F10, F12, or DEL). If you miss it, you'll need to restart again. 3. **Select the USB drive**: In the boot menu, use the arrow keys to navigate to the option that says "USB," "Removable Device," or something similar, indicating your USB drive. 4. **Boot from USB**: Press Enter to select the USB drive as the boot device. 5. **Follow the setup prompts**: Once your computer boots from the USB, the installation process should begin automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system or perform the desired task. Remember that the steps might vary slightly depending on your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings.

Connect the bootable disk to the non-booting PC and alter the computer's boot sequence in the BIOS. For the majority of users, this typically involves restarting the computer and pressing F2 simultaneously to enter the BIOS settings.

将电脑设置为从“可移动设备”(启动型USB磁盘)而非硬盘启动。按“F10”保存并退出。

restart from bootable USB

Step 3. Recover Data from a Crashed System/PC

Upon booting from the Tools Data Recovery Wizard bootable disk, select the drive you wish to scan to locate all your lost files. Preview the required files and subsequently recover them to a secure location.

recover lost files

Upon retrieving vital data, you can seek assistance from the Microsoft support team or explore other online solutions to fix the crashed Windows 10 operating system. Typically, performing a clean installation of Windows 10 is an effective way to resolve this issue.

Part 2: Safeguarding the Operating System and Data from Crashes

Knowing an effective method to recover data from a crashed Windows OS or a dead computer is somewhat insufficient.

Having a full backup of Windows 10 and the data on your computer is an ideal strategy. This ensures effective protection of your Windows operating system and data from unexpected system crashes or errors. You can either utilize File History or employ backup software to create this backup.

Here, we will demonstrate an automated method of backing up Windows 10 and data using a tool known as file backup software - Todo Backup:

Step 1. Begin by selecting the backup content.

create disk backup step1

Step 2. There are four backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail. Click on Disk.

create disk backup step2

Step 3. You can choose to back up an entire disk or a specific partition. Select what you need and click OK.

disk partition backup

Step 4. Choose the location where you want to save the backup.

select a backup target location

Step 5. For disk/partition backup, you can opt to save the backup to a local drive or to a NAS.

Disk backup step5

Step 6. Once the backup process is finished, your task will be displayed on the left. Right-click on any task to further manage your backup, such as recovering it or creating an incremental backup, and so on.

Disk backup step6

You can also schedule automatic backups of Windows 10 to prevent Windows 10 crash errors.

Moreover, using the tools in Todo Backup to create a System Repair Disk can help you promptly restore Windows 10 to its healthy state with the system backup image created.

Part 3: Restore OS using Windows Recovery Services

A simple and swift method to address Windows issues is by utilizing manual Windows repair services. A professional technical team can assist you in resolving any system startup errors, including system crashes, blue screens, black screens, and the like.

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Tools Data Recovery Services
Consult with our experienced tools data recovery specialists for personalized manual recovery assistance. Following a FREE diagnosis, we can provide the following services:
1. Resolve Windows boot issues, including Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
2. Correct Windows errors and configure the Windows environment
3. Restore the system in case of unbootable scenarios
4. Optimize your Windows computer for improved performance