Windows 10: Hard drive is failing, is there a way to copy Windows 10 OS?

Check out this excellent tutorial from @Macrium Reflect - Backup Restore - Windows 10 Forums

 

No, you don't need to worry about messing up a new hard drive by copying files from an old one (unless you were to copy a virus or other malware, but it doesn't sound like that's what we're dealing with here). If you were to image the old drive, then install that image onto the new one, you might introduce problems that way. But it would be because some of those copied files in the image were damaged, rather than through some kind of nefarious infection mechanism.

The other posters recommending a clean install are trying to help you avoid this outcome. You can copy all the files you want from the old drive, and then use chkdsk to scan them for errors and attempt repairs. This may result in the loss of some files, but should get most of your stuff across more or less intact. You just don't want to do this with OS files (or important applications) because this could cause runtime trouble further down the road. Hope this makes sense, and that you find this explanation helpful.

--Ed--

 

Good afternoon Ed! Just a curious question here, what would be the point of using CHKDSK if you are going to lose files. My biggest concern would be to lose very very important files. Now, I did use this CHKDSK on one of my hard drives , But luckily I had my other hard drive that I made back ups before my hard drives got corrupted to see if all my files were there.

Also, any data loss that you incur whether from CHKDSK etc. besides using a data recovery program are there any other methods of getting that data loss back or are the files definitely gone forever?

In my problem, I used easeUS Data Recovery and it seemed to recover my files but not all of them and some of the recovered files are scattered in other folders. So, sorry if I'm repeating, again anything that especially this software did not recover is that lost forever? Are there any other solutions to get the files back that the current software could not get? Or is it basically it's gone except it and move on?


Thank you!

 

Unless you want to try an (expensive) professional data recovery service, those problem or damaged files are more or less unrecoverable. The professionals have expensive tools and software and can sometimes recover things that commercial end-user software cannot. But it will costs hundreds to thousands of dollars to do, so you must decide if those files are worth the outlay. For some people they are (which is how those companies stay in business). Up to you!
HTH,
--Ed--

PS: I've got a friend/co-author who's a professional forensics expert. If you want, I can ask him to recommend best/most reliable commercial recovery services (Neil Broom Technical Resource Center https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbroom).

 

Thank you very much Ed for your response, explanation and clarification. It helped! I understand now. Thank you for the recommendation. At this point in time, I won't do commercial services. I am still not sure what files I have lost, if any. I have to go through them still.

 

May your file adventures come to a happy conclusion, with nothing of importance lost in the wash! Best wishes,
--Ed--

 

Thank you Ed! I appreciate your input thank you for doing that. You have a great wonderful day.

 

You're welcome. Please post here to let us know how things turn out. Best wishes, once again.
--Ed--

 

Sure thing Ed! It will take sometime, but will do!

Also, I met you on my thread Hard drive is corrupted and unreadable what to do? Please Help! - Windows 10 Forums where you sent me an answer on the docking station you are using and I am grateful for that. So, I will be posting on both threads.

Thank you for the wishes and it looks like everything is 90%-95% looking positive. Hopefully, it will be 100% as time goes on, but if not, it is what it is. Then I will move forward and not make the same mistakes twice.

You are awesome and keep up the great work of helping others. Best wishes on your side in all that you do! God Bless!

 

Hey Ed and Everybody,

As requested, I am posting a final update. You can read my final post here Hard drive is corrupted and unreadable what to do? Please Help!

In short, I have reformatted my drives and transferred my recovered data to them. Everything is working great. I have learned my lesson and I will apply what I learned, so if something like that happens again, I won't lose my data.

I wish everyone a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

@

 

You, too, mrje1! May it be the best ever, for all readers.
--Ed--

 

*Thumbs