Have you come across the error that C drive is RAW? Are you confused about it? Read this article to get a clear idea and quick fixes to it.
Some users are confronted with inaccessible system, blue screen at startup shows disk errors when they are using computers. Those issues could mostly be caused by the error that C drive is RAW. Why is C drive showing as RAW? Here are some basic reasons:
Then, how to fix a RAW C drive?
Since C drive is unable to function well, so is the system, we must enter safe mode or Windows PE to fix the error, or even do a complete format. Learn how to fix RAW C drive in Windows 10/11 efficiently below. Let's begin with repairing RAW C drive with secure methods
1. Restart your new computer and tap F8 to access the Advanced Boot Options menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Command Prompt and press Enter.
3. In Command Prompt, input chkdsk c: /f /r (note the space before each slash) and press Enter.
Tips: The meaning of the parameters used: “/f” tells chkdsk to fix any errors it finds; “/r” tells it to locate the bad sectors on the drive and recover readable information.
4. Exit Command Prompt and restart your computer.
If the chkdsk is not available for raw drives, continue the next solution.
However, chkdsk can only do basic check and repair. It can’t fix all the disk errors. If C drive is still RAW after running chkdsk, try second method here. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional as a comprehensive partition manager can assist you in rebuilding boot information and repair MBR for the system disk.
With a simple interface and clear step-by-step guide, everything can manage their computers like an experts:
1. Connect a USB drive to a computer in good condition. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click on "Tools"> “Make Bootable Media” on the top pane and follow the wizard to finish the process.
Tip: The bootable USB will contain installed AOMEI Partition Assistant.
2. Insert the bootable USB into the computer where C drive is RAW. Boot from the USB by changing boot order in BIOS.
3. You’ll see loaded AOMEI Partition Assistant once login. Right click the system disk and select “Rebuild MBR”.
4. Set the type of MBR for Windows in the pop-up window.
5. Click “Apply” and then “Proceed” to commit the pending operations. Restart your computer later.
If both method 1 and method 2 fail to fix the problem that C drive became RAW, turn to the last resort—format C drive so that it continues working. Keep in mind that formatting will cause a total loss of system files, so back up Windows system partition if possible.
If you have created a bootable USB using AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can go ahead and easily format the RAW drive using this tool. Its formatting feature breaks the limitations of Windows CMD and offers great compatibility:
Step 1. Boot the PC from a bootable USB and AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional will start automatically.
Step 2. Right-click on a partition on the hard disk and select "Format Partition".
Step 3. Select the NTFS or FAT32 file system you want and click OK.
Step 4. Confirm the formatting result and click Apply.
After formatting C drive, you need to reinstall Windows. With Windows product key, you can download Windows ISO image and copy it to the bootable USB on a computer which functions well. Now follow the instructions below:
1. Connect the bootable USB drive with Windows ISO image to the computer with RAW C drive and boot from it.
2. Once you see loaded AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the C drive and select “Format Partition”.
3. Choose a file system for C drive and click “OK”.
4. Click “Apply” and then “Proceed” to commit the operation.
5. Find Windows ISO file on the bootable USB and double click it. Select “Install now”.
6. Accept the Windows License Terms and click “Next”.
7. Choose “Custom (advanced)” as installation type.
8. Choose the formatted C drive to install Windows and click “Next”.
Tip: If there are other system related partitions apart from C drive, you should delete them using “Drive options (advanced)” before installing Windows on C drive.
9. Wait for the Windows Setup process to be completed. Your computer will restart several times.
If any error occurs during the Diskpart process, such as "Fixed disk not shown in Diskpart", you can turn to AOMEI Partition Assistant to format the C drive.
The error that Windows C drive is raw can be fixed with three methods mentioned above, so can the same error on Windows 10/8, etc. AOMEI Partition Assistant can not only repair RAW C drive, but also fix Windows 7 blue screen after SSD install and repair pen drive not detected. Give it a try right now!