Windows 10: Unable to boot or repair windows, need a way to extract some data

Hi all, I have a copy of Windows 10, I believe version 1803, installed inside ESXi. For some reason, the VM shut down on its own and now I can't boot it back up (stuck on boot screen with spinny circle, or boot screen with spinny circle and attempting automatic repair). I have a clean install snapshot to revert to, but I'd like to extract some data first.

I tried to boot with the original install ISO to try to repair (repair start up problems), but it could not fix it. There didn't seem to be an option to reset anything besides a clean install. I also tried to mount the VMDK image to browse my files but they didn't seem to show up for some reason, and I'm not sure if it was due to folder permissions or not. For example, I have folder C:\incoming and that doesn't show up. And nothing shows up in C:\Users\me\Downloads.

Anyway, I was wondering if any users can recommend a tool I can use, either to fix the install, or at least get access to a few files that I would like to retrieve. Thanks.

:)

 

Extracting Zip Files

Thanks pyramid10 for your contribution, I ensured that the steps taken and the source and destination folders were the same, in the using zip7 as suggested by BunnyJ resolved all issues for me.
I am the first to admit that I am a long long way from understanding the intricacies of computers and if truth be told I am now to old anyway to absorb much information.
Cheers.

 

Extracting Zip Files


Are the step-by-step processes identical? That is, the folder extracted from and the folder extracted to belong to the same hierarchical file system structure. If they are, that suggests mildly the Cumulative Update left an electron or two out of place.

 

Unable to boot the computer.

Hi Samid,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

Before we proceed, we would require more information to assist you further.

• 
  What is the make and model of your computer?
  

I suggest you check if you are able to boot into Windows Recovery Environment using installation media. Follow the steps provided below and check.

• • Insert the installation USB and boot Windows 10 from it.
  • In the ‘Windows setup’ page select the ‘language to install’, ‘Time and currency format’ and the ‘keyboard or input method’ and click on ‘next’.
  • Click on ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Troubleshoot’.

Check if you are able to boot to this window. If you are unable to boot to this window, I suggest you to contact the manufacturer and check.

Hope this information is helpful. Reply us with this information to assist you further.

Thank you.