How to backup windows files without being able to boot.

[Rylyguy]

I can’t boot into my windows partition so I’ll have to reinstall. I’d like to backup my files but without being able to boot into windows how can I? I only have access to a macOS machine now so I can’t run mini tool. 

[Murasaki]

What I'd do is grab some linux distro, make a bootable usb and run it in "live mode" where I can mount the drive and transfer stuff over. 

[Rylyguy]

4 minutes ago, Murasaki said:

What I'd do is grab some linux distro, make a bootable usb and run it in "live mode" where I can mount the drive and transfer stuff over. 

Ah ok. Thanks. I was hoping not to have to manually transfer files since I have ~600gb to backup. 

[Murasaki]

1 minute ago, Rylyguy said:

Ah ok. Thanks. I was hoping not to have to manually transfer files since I have ~600gb to backup. 

Next time you should make a seperate partition for your files and not dump everything in C drive.

[Rylyguy]

Just now, Murasaki said:

Next time you should make a seperate partition for your files and not dump everything in C drive.

Yeah. I had another partition but I only stored games there.

[Murasaki]

Just now, Rylyguy said:

Yeah. I had another partition but I only stored games there.

Well you were on the right track atleast. Lesson learned.

[LogicalDrm]

16 hours ago, Rylyguy said:

Ah ok. Thanks. I was hoping not to have to manually transfer files since I have ~600gb to backup. 

You would be still copying them over to another drive, be it one-by-one or using some software. This is why backupping periodically is important as the updates to file lists are smaller.

[Rylyguy]

On 4/1/2021 at 5:58 AM, LogicalDrm said:

You would be still copying them over to another drive, be it one-by-one or using some software. This is why backupping periodically is important as the updates to file lists are smaller.

I do plan to start backing up again. It’s just that my nas has been out of commission for a while so it’s a bit more difficult.