How to Backup Files in Windows Safe Mode

By Michael | Last Updated January 03, 2024

When it comes to safe mode, many Windows users used to take it as a powerful troubleshooting tool commonly. However, it's worth saying that safe mode is also a useful utility for you to backup files when your Windows computer doesn't work normally. And how can you backup files in safe mode of Windows 10/8/7? In the following content, we will introduce 2 effective ways for you to backup files in Windows safe mode and you can also get an additional way to backup files when the safe mode is inaccessible.

1. 1. Backup Files in Windows Safe Mode with Copy-and-Paste
2. 2. Backup Files in Windows Safe Mode via CMD
3. Additional: Backup Files without Safe Mode Using CloneGo

2 Ways to Backup Files in Windows Safe Mode

1. Backup Files in Windows Safe Mode with Copy-and-Paste

Step 1: Start Your Windows PC in Safe Mode.

For Windows 7:

• 1. Start your computer and press the F8 key before Windows starts.
• 2. Then in the Advanced Boot Options screen, select Safe Mode.

For Windows 10/8:

• 1. Hold the Shift key on when you select Restart in the Power menu of the login screen.
• 2. After that, in the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• 3. At last, choose 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode.

Step 2: Connect a storage drive to the Windows computer and copy the important files and paste them to the device.

2. Backup Files in Windows Safe Mode via CMD

Step 1: Enter Windows Safe Mode with CMD.

For Windows 7: Follow 1&2 in step 1(Way1) above and choose Safe Mode with CMD in the advanced boot options screen.

For Windows 10/8: Follow 1&2 in step 1(Way1) and select 6 or F6 lastly.

Step 2: Execute the backup command in the CMD.
For example:
Back up all the data saved on F: drive to G: drive with: robocopy f:\ g:\ /e

How to Backup Files When Cannot Access Windows Safe Mode

Fail to boot your Windows computer in safe mode? Don't worry, you can still backup the wanted files with the help of software-iSunshare CloneGo which enables you to backup files completely without Windows OS.

What you need:
1. A USB drive and a data-storage device.
2. A workable Windows computer.
3. Windows Partition backup tool-iSunshare CloneGo.

Step 1: Install CloneGo in the workable Windows computer and insert a USB drive into the PC.

Step 2: Launch the software and click Make Boot Disk to make a WinPE drive. After that, make PE files with Create PE in current system environment or Select WIM file to make PE. Then select the USB drive to burn the PE files into it.

Step 3: Connect both WinPE drive and storage device to the Windows computer that you fail to enter its safe mode. And in the CloneGo's user interface, click Backup > select the partition where the critical data is saved to backup > choose the data-storage drive to store the backup data > click Start to backup files.

Finally, the backup file will be packed into an icg file which can be easily restored with the software's Restore function.

Related Articles:

• How to Backup Files without Booting Windows 10/8/7
• 3 Reliable Ways to Backup Important Files on your Computer
• How to Backup External Hard Drive before Formatting in Windows
• How to Backup and Restore Your Entire Windows 10 PC