Backing Up Data in Windows Rescue Mode
If your Windows server will not boot, the Windows Rescue System lets you access your files and copy them to a network share — even when the main operating system is inaccessible.
Prerequisites: Your server must be booted into the Windows Rescue System and connected via VNC. You also need a reachable network share as the backup destination — e.g. another server, a NAS, or a shared folder. → Starting rescue mode
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt
Once you are on the rescue desktop, open the Command Prompt via Start → Run and type cmd.
Step 2: Initialize the Network & Identify the Drive
By default, the network may not be active in rescue mode. Initialize it first:
Then identify the drive letter of your main Windows partition using diskpart:
Note the drive letter (column Ltr) of your Windows partition — typically C:.
Step 3: Copy Data with robocopy
robocopy (Robust File Copy) is the most reliable command-line tool for copying data to a network share. Adjust the source path, IP address, and share name to match your environment:
| Parameter | Purpose |
|---|---|
| C:\Users | Source folder — the folder on the server you want to back up. |
| \\192.168.1.10\BackupShare\Users | UNC destination path — replace the IP with your backup server, BackupShare with your share name. |
| /E | Copies all subdirectories including empty ones. |
| /R:2 /W:5 | On failure: 2 retry attempts with 5 seconds wait between each. |
If your network share requires a username and password, map it as a network drive first using net use \\IP\Share /user:Username Password.
Step 4: Next Steps
Once robocopy completes, your data is safely stored on the network share. You can now either attempt to repair the server from within rescue mode or cancel rescue mode and proceed with a fresh OS installation.
Further Documentation
For the full reference of robocopy options, refer to the official Microsoft documentation.