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How to Copy Files from Hard Disk without OS

I've got a computer from my friend, but the user password was lost. I'd like to use some data from the HDD. I assume that there should be a way to copy data from a hard disk without OS.

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Larissa· Answered on Dec 20, 2023

There are two ways you can copy files from a hard disk without an operating system.

The first method is using another working computer and connecting the hard drive to it, and then you can back up data from the working computer with Windows built-in backup tool or third-party backup software.

Remove the hard disk from the computer.
Connect the hard drive to another working computer as an external device.
Find the data and files you want to copy, and then use Windows built-in Backup and Restore to back up data. Or, you can manually copy and paste files if there isn't much data.

Another method is creating an emergency bootable USB and starting your computer from the bootable USB drive, and then, you can back up data from your hard drive. To use this method, you need to use a bootable USB creator, like EaseUS Todo Backup. It integrates the features of backup and crating emergency USB drives.

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Download and install EaseUS Todo Backup on a working computer.
Prepare an empty USB that can be read and written, and connect it to the working computer.
Launch EaseUS and click "Tools" > "Create Emergency Disk" from the home page.
Choose the boot disk location, and click "Create" to start.
After it finishes, unplug the bootable USB, and plug it into the unbootable computer.
Start the computer from the USB, and follow the EaseUS instruction to back up your data and files.

These two ways allow you to copy files from a hard disk without OS easily. Hope it helps.

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