It's a pretty bad situation to get your OS (it might be windows 7 or 8) corrupted (when the windows is not booting). In that situation, either you can reset your windows or re-install it. Either way you loose your data (at least the one stored in 'C' drive). To recover the data stored in 'C' drive, there are various methods. You can recover data by booting your system using linux usb boot disk. This is not an easy process to all. So, I intend to share a simpler way (which I use).
If your windows (either 8 or 8.1) is not booting i.e, going into the recovery options like shown below
Now select Advanced options --> System Image Recovery. You will end up in this window.
Now, enter your password to continue.
Press cancel and click 'next' in the next window.
Select Advanced
Install a driver.
Click ok.
Now the explorer will be opened. You can browse to 'C' drive (or whatever drive you want to backup). Now copy the files to be backed up into the other drive or USB (which ever you like).
If your windows (either 8 or 8.1) is not booting i.e, going into the recovery options like shown below
Select 'Troubleshoot'. Then you will end up in this window.
Now select Advanced options --> System Image Recovery. You will end up in this window.
Now, enter your password to continue.
Press cancel and click 'next' in the next window.
Select Advanced
Install a driver.
Click ok.
Now the explorer will be opened. You can browse to 'C' drive (or whatever drive you want to backup). Now copy the files to be backed up into the other drive or USB (which ever you like).
It will take some time to copy the files. You can sense this process by observing the cursor. If it is showing busy sign (revolving circle) then it is copying. After the completion of backup, you can exit the window. Hope this help :)
