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Windows 10 old question
Can't boot into windows. Won't let me install new version but I really need old files. If I reformat a partion will there be a windows.old available?
Windows 10 old question
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New #2
If you format the Windows partition, there will not be Windows.old.
Back up personal files beforehand.
Create a bootable Windows PE device: Update installation error
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10
Clean Install Windows 10
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New #3
Windows.old is normally automatically deleted 10 days after an upgrade.
If you need to recover files from an unbootable installation, there are 2 basic ways:
a. Create a live boot disk using another PC, and then boot your PC from that- you can then explore your internal disk content.
b. Remove that disk from your laptop, put it in a caddy, and connect it to another PC.
These of course depend on the disk actually functioning.
How do you avoid catastrophes like this and give yourself a good chance to recover quickly with minimal inconvenience? As has been recommended tirelessly here again and again:
Routinely and regularly use disk imaging e.g. Macrium Reflect (free/paid) + large enough external storage for image files.
Given such an image you can restore any imaged partitions and Windows to a new disk or even a new PC.
Image files also act as a full backup which you can mount to extract files.
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Before considering any clean install to that same disk, first check it - else you could be wasting your time. (Think 'house built on sand').
A clean install means deleting all existing Windows partitions - and thus the data on them.
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What led to this?
What message or indication do you get?
What are your PC specs? See 'My computers' under my post for comparison- tutorials available.
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New #4
You could also try option 6 here. Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10 | Tutorials (tenforums.com)
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New #5
Failure to boot can be troubleshooted.
Test the disk drive using a Sea Tools bootable flash drive:
SeaTools | Seagate Support US
Many failures to boot files can be recovered by creating a new Windows.old.
This is accomplished by using a bootable windows 10 iso.
Find a flash drive that you can format (> or = 8 GB).
On a working computer create a bootable Windows 10 iso 20H2:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10
Download Windows 10 ISO File
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10
Perform a custom install:
Custom Install Windows 10
Restore Windows.old:
How to Restore Files from Windows.old Folder in Windows 10
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New #7
One additional option you can use in case is you lack additional computer is to use command prompt during Windows setup.
Press CTRL + SHIFT + F10 once you pass "select language" option to bring up CMD.
Attach additional external disk or large enough USB and learn it's drive letter with:
You can then use robocopy command to bulk copy from old system drive to external drive, ex assuming C:\ is old drive and Z:\ is external drive for backup:Code:diskpart list disk exit
be careful because you need to copy in smaller chunks rather than all at once due to:Code:mkdir Z:\transfer robocopy "C:\Windows.old\Some folder" Z:\transfer\ /EV
1. memory limitation during setup
2. file security restriction on old drive
See also:
cmd - Navigating in cmd | cmd Tutorial
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New #9
In case the method that zebal posted does not work you often can use a bootable Ubuntu / Linux flash drive.
This allows a GUI approach.
There is no Windows.old with the Ubuntu approach.
The windows.old is created during a custom install.
Notepad is not used during a custom install.
The Windows.old can be restored on any drive.
See the custom install tutorial.
If you like Ubuntu:
Create a bootable USB stick on Windows | Ubuntu tutorials
Create a bootable USB stick on Windows | Ubuntu
Linux to the rescue! How Ubuntu can help a computer in distress | PCWorld
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