How to Perform Computer Crash Recovery in Windows 10/11

How to recover data from crashed Windows 10/11? This page offers 3 easy methods to perform computer crash recovery in Windows 10/11. Also, you can protect the Windows system and data from OS crash.

Lori

By Lori / Updated on December 11, 2024

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Can You Recover Data After a Computer Crash?

“While I was working on the computer everything froze and then Windows 10 crashed. This happens quite often so I don't think it's a big deal. When I started the computer again it didn't work, I had to restart the computer and get back the data in the SSD. How to recover data from crashed Windows 10?”

Computer crashes can be very annoying for users. A computer crash can cause more than serious problems, such as a blue or Black Screen of Death or an operating system that won't boot. It can also result in significant data loss after a crash.

Can you recover files from a crashed computer? Yes, in this article, we will introduce the 3 effective ways on how to recover data from crashed Windows 10/11. Additionally, you can also refer to the recommended tips to protect your Windows data from OS crash.

How to Recover Data after Windows 10/11 Crashed? ( 3 Ways)

When your Windows computer stops working and crashes, recover your data as soon as possible to avoid more serious damage. Here are 3 proven methods for recovering important data or information when your Windows 10/11 PC crashes.

1. Connect the HDD to Another Working PC

Connect the HDD to another working PC is the fastest and easiest way to recover data after Windows 10 crash. In this case, you can simply remove the hard drive from the crashed computer and connect it to another PC. Be careful when removing the drive from the system; otherwise, you may damage your drive and its data.

❌ Warning: This way will work if you want to access files from common drives instead of the C drive. In addition, after discovering that data has been lost, you can still consider using way 2 to recover data from crashed hard drive safely.

👉 Use a SATA USB cable to connect the hard drive to another PC via a USB port. If you can access hard drive data normally, continue backing up the hard drive data.

external-hard-drive-enclosure

2. Perform Computer Crash Recovery in Windows 10/11 via Bootable Media

If you still can't access your files again from another computer  or your data is on the crashed C drive, you may need to use professional data recovery software. We recommend computer crash recovery software MyRecover. It allows you to perform successful computer crash recovery in Windows 10 when PC won't boot properly.

MyRecover
Computer Crash Recovery Tool
  • Recover data from various situations such as crashed computer/system, formatted hard drive, emptied Recycle Bin, and virus attacks.
  • Recover the deleted/lost Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, PPTX, ODP, CSV, WPS files, and other 200+ file formats with simple steps.
  • It automatically performs both quick scan & deep scan to recover data from hard drive without OS and keep their original filename, directory, and path.
  • Work with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS in Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server.

Part 1. Create a Bootable Drive

⚠️Notes:
  • Create a bootable disk involves erasing all data on the USB drive. Use an empty drive or employ free Windows backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard to safeguard your data beforehand. When you create a bootable disk, it will erase all data saved in the USB drive.
  • Download and install MyRecover on a functioning PC. Connect a blank USB drive or insert a CD/DVD into the working PC to create a bootable media.

Let’s show how to perform computer crash recovery in Windows 10/11 efficiently

1. Run MyRecover on the working PC, and click "Crashed PC Recovery".

crashed pc recovery

2. Choose an empty USB or CD/DVD bootable drive to create a boot disk and click "Execute".

execute

3. When you create bootable USB in Windows 10, it will erase all data saved in the USB drive. Please make sure you have the important file backups. Then click Yes.

confirmation window

4. The creation operation will launch and you could check it. The process will take a several minutes.

creation process

5. Then, you can see the success message on the screen and be notified of the steps to boot from a bootable drive. Start recovering data from crashed Windows 11/10.

successful

Boot your PC from the bootable USB drive

  • Connect the bootable USB drive to the crashed computer. Restart your computer. If your computer is already off, turn it on.
  • As your PC starts up, press the appropriate key F12, F2, F10, F11, Del, or Esc to enter the boot menu. 
  • In the boot menu, you’ll see a list of bootable devices. Use the arrow keys to change the PC’s boot sequence. Select the bootable USB drive and press Enter.

change-boot-order-to-m2-drive

  • Save the change by pressing F10 and exit. Your PC will now boot from the USB drive.

Part 2. Recover Data from Crashed Windows Computer

1. Run MyRecover and choose PC Recovery. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

select-location-to-scan

2. It will perform quick and deep scan of your selected drive. Use the Search Box or the Filter feature for a swift identification of the specific data.

  • Type: Select the file type (Documents, Images, Videos, Audio, Mails, Webpages, Compressed files, etc.)
  • Date modified: Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.)
  • Size: Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, 512MB above, etc.)

scanning-drive

3. Upon identifying the required data, choose them and click "Recover x files". Then, select a new location to store the recovered files.

select-files-to-restore

🌟Tips:
  • It supports you to recover up to 500MB of data for free. For unlimited data recovery, please consider upgrading MyRecover to the Pro or Tech version. It can help you recover a large number of files effortlessly.
  • In addition, MyRecover allows you to recover data from formatted SSD, HDD, external hard drive, USB flash drive, SD card, and so on.

3. Recover Files Windows from Crashed Computer by System Restore

How to recover data after Windows 10 crashed? System Restore can help you restore computer to an earlier date. You can use this Windows built-in utility to restore your computer to revert the computer's state, such as system files, installed apps, Windows Registry, and system settings, back to a previous point that includes your deleted data in time. Follow the simple steps to perform computer crash recovery in Windows 10 free.

Step 1. Connect the Windows installation media (DVD or bootable USB drive) that is created by MyRecover to your PC. When the PC is not on, hold down the F9/F12, and then press the power button to enter Windows RE. Click Next.

Step 2. To start Win10 in safe mode, click Repair your computer on the install Windows screen.

Repair Your computer

Step 3. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.

Choose System Restore

Step 4. Click Next on the pop-up window. Select a system restore point and click Next.

System Restore

Protect the Windows and Data from OS Crash

Learning the effective ways to recover data from crashed Windows computer is not enough. You could also know how to avoid Windows 10/11 computer crash.

1️⃣ Full Backup for Windows 10 and Data: It will effectively protect your Windows operating system and data from a sudden system crash or system error.

Here, we'd like to recommend you this free backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard to create schedule automatic backup of your Windows 10/11 and data.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

File Backup

2️⃣ Upgrade RAM Capacity: If your PC frequently runs out of memory, consider upgrading RAM. Also, you can monitor RAM usage in Task Manager to identify potential memory leaks.

3️⃣ Check Hard Drive Health: Please regularly assess the health of your hard drive. You can use the Windows CHKDSK tool to detect and address any signs of hard drive failure.

4️⃣ Run Anti-Virus and Security Scans: Perform regular anti-virus and security-malware scans to remove ransomware virus and keep anti-virus software up to date.

Why Your Windows 10/11 Crashed?

It is important to understand why Windows 10/11 crashes. Please note that these errors typically occur under normal use.

🎇 Outdated or incompatible drivers

🐱‍🚀 Malware and viruses

🎊 Corrupted programs and files

🎆 Issues with RAM

🐱‍👤 Hardware problems like overheating

Summary

How to perform computer crash recovery in Windows 10/11? It is easy to recover files from a crashed computer by using the above 3 practical ways. If you still cannot recover files from crashed computer, resorting to a professional data recovery service may be necessary. The disadvantage is that it is more expensive. Therefore, it is recommended to first try the best bootable data recovery software - MyRecover and recover your data with ease.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

To protect your data or OS, you need to create a scheduled file backup or system backup to update data in the backup task. Then, no matter when your computer crashes, you have the latest backup, including data and program before the accident. AOMEI Backupper Standard is worth a shot because it's easy to use and feature-rich.

FAQs on Computer Crash Recovery in Windows

How do you know if your laptop is about to crash?
 
Signs of your laptop hard disk crash: occasional boot errors, noisy hard drive, sluggish performance, increased pop-up windows, screen color flashes or changes.
Why does my Windows 7 computer keep crashing?
 
The reasons for Windows 7 computer keep crashing may be outdated or corrupted video driver, system file corruption or mismatch, virus or malware infection, applications or services causing issues.
How to see why computer crashed?
 
Step 1: Press Win + X and select Event Viewer.
Step 2: In the Event Viewer window, expand Windows Logs and select System.
Step 3: Look for entries marked with a red error icon around the time of the crash. Double-click on them for more details.
Do you lose everything when your computer crashes?
 
Yes, when it happens, you may lose access to important files, photos, documents, and other data.
How to fix a crashed computer in Windows 10/11?
 
To fix a crashed laptop/computer in Windows 10/11, you can try: Fix 1. Cool the computer.
Fix 2. Clean the dust
Fix 3. Check the hardware connection
Fix 4. Check the hard disk's bad sectors
Fix 5. Upgrade RAM
Fix 6. Update drivers
How do you trigger BIOS recovery?
 
Use CTRL + ESC key combination on computers where an external keyboard is the primary input (applies to Dell desktops, all-in-one computers, and laptops).
How do I fix a corrupted BIOS HP?
 
Press and hold the Windows + b keys, and then simultaneously press and hold the power button. On some models, use Windows + v keys. After 2-3 seconds, continue pressing Windows + b keys, but release the power button. Listen for beeps.
How do I reset my computer after crashing?
 
Reinstall Windows 10, choosing to keep or remove files, through Settings, sign-in screen, or using a recovery drive or installation media. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
Lori
Lori · Editor
Lori receives professional technical training since joining AOMEI, and aims at helping users troubleshoot problems on data recovery and protection. She focuses on simple, efficient and practical methods, and provides professional advice. Being able to help readers and users is her ultimate goal.