C Drive Is Raw in Windows 10: How to Fix - 5 Solutions

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Sherly 

Updated on May 06, 2024

Some Windows 10 users have complained that they can't boot their computer properly because the C drive is RAW. This article explores the causes behind this issue and provides effective solutions.

< strong > The Reasons Why the C Drive Is RAW

What causes the "Windows 10 C drive changed to RAW file system" issue? Tools have identified several possible causes for this problem, which are as follows:

Here are the translations in English:
• Virus or malware infection
• Sudden power outage or unexpected shutdown
• C drive file system is corrupted or damaged
• Bad sectors on the C drive
• The system disk has been in use for too long and is significantly worn out

Share these possible causes and let more users know how to avoid RAW C drive errors.

How to Resolve "C Drive Is Raw" Error on Windows 10/11 - 5 Solutions

Issues like system unavailability, blue screen on startup, and disk errors are mostly due to the C drive showing a RAW error. But fear not, this section will introduce you to four methods to fix the RAW C drive error.

Solution 1. Run CHKDSK in Safe Mode

When there's an error in the file system, the C drive might also switch from NTFS to RAW. You can boot into Safe Mode to repair a corrupted file system using CHKDSK. Here's how: 1. Restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly during startup to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2. Select "Safe Mode with Networking" or "Safe Mode" if you don't need internet access. 3. Once Windows starts in Safe Mode, press the Windows key + X and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" to open an elevated Command Prompt. 4. Type `chkdsk /f /r C:` and press Enter. This command will scan the C drive for errors and attempt to fix them. The `/f` switch tells CHKDSK to fix any issues it finds, while the `/r` switch locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. 5. If prompted to schedule the check for the next restart, type `Y` and press Enter. Your computer will then restart automatically. 6. After the CHKDSK process completes, reboot your computer normally to see if the issue has been resolved. If CHKDSK doesn't solve the problem, you may need to consider other data recovery tools or professional assistance.

Step 1. Restart your computer and press F8, F2, or Esc to access the Advanced Boot Options menu.

Step 2. Use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, and then press Enter.

Step 3. In Command Prompt, type chkdsk c: /f /r /x and press Enter. (make sure there's a space before each slash)

TIP: The parameters mean the following: "/f" tells chkdsk to fix any errors it finds; "/r" tells chkdsk to locate bad sectors on the drive and recover readable information.

Step 4. Exit the CMD and restart your computer.

Solution 2. Rebuild MBR

CHKDSK can only perform basic checks and repairs. It is not capable of fixing all disk errors. Consequently, you can utilize the tool Partition Master to rebuild the MBR on all Windows PCs, enabling Windows to successfully boot from the C drive.

It can assist in rebuilding the boot information of the system disk. Here's how to reconstruct the MBR using it:

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

1. Launch tools Partition Master, and click "Bootable Media" on the toolbar. Select "Create bootable media". 2. Click "Next" to complete the process.

Step 2. Boot the Tools Partition Master Bootable USB

Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. When you restart the computer, press F2 or Del to enter the BIOS screen. Set your computer to boot from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". The Partition Master tool will run automatically之后.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

Click "Toolkit" and select "Rebuild MBR".

Rebuild MBR

Select the disk and the type of MBR, then click "Rebuild".

Then you'll see the message "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".

Furthermore, if you're not good at using computers, you can directly use a tool like Partition Master to check the health of your hard drive, including your C drive, to see if there are excessive bad sectors. This tool can also fix the yellow triangle warning on the C drive.

Solution 3: Repair RAW C Drive in Windows Recovery Environment

This method requires users to prepare an installation CD that can access the recovery environment. If not, you'll need to create a System Repair Disc on your Windows 10 PC. Follow these steps to fix the RAW C drive:

Step 1. Insert the installation CD into the computer. Restart the PC and press the BIOS key during the splash screen (the BIOS key may differ depending on the computer brand). Then, set the installation disc as the first boot option and save the settings.

Step 2. In the recovery environment, click Next until you see the "Repair your computer" option. Click on it to proceed.

Step 3. Select the problematic Windows and click Next to proceed.

Step 4. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 5. Type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press Enter.

Solution 4: Format RAW C Drive and Reinstall Windows

Formatting the C drive (link) and reinstalling Windows 10/11 is another potential approach to fix the RAW C drive and convert it back to NTFS. Here are the detailed steps to accomplish this effectively. Bear in mind that formatting will result in the complete loss of system files, so it's recommended to backup the Windows 11/10/8/7 system partition if possible.

Step 1. Just like in Solution 1, access Command Prompt in the Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 2. Type diskpart to open a new window.

Step 3. In the new command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

Translate the following commands into English:
• list disk
• select disk X (Replace X with the number of the disk that includes the C drive)
• list partition
• select partition 1 (1 represents the number of the C drive)
• format fs=ntfs quick
• Exit

If any issue like "There are no fixed disks to show in Diskpart" occurs, you can turn to a tool like Partition Master to format C drive.

Here's how to use the tool Partition Master to format the C drive. This tool doesn't require any commands and is user-friendly for beginners.

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master.

Right-click on the RAW partition or RAW external hard drive/USB/SD card that needs formatting, and select "Format".

Format RAW Drive Partition - Step 1

Step 2. Format RAW Partition and reset the file system.

Assign a new partition label, set the file system to NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT, and cluster size to the selected partition, then click "OK".

Step 3. In the Warning window, click "Yes" to continue.

点击“是”允许程序将目标RAW分区格式化为你所选的磁盘文件系统格式。

Step 4. Execute the operations.

Click the “Execute 1 Task(s)” button at the bottom right to view all the changes, and then click “Apply” to start formatting your RAW partition/USB/SD/external hard drive.

After formatting the C drive as NTFS, please proceed with the Windows reinstallation as outlined below.

1. Connect the Windows installation media to the problematic computer and change the boot sequence to start Windows from the installation media. 2. Modify the language and other preferences in the Windows Settings window, then click "Next". 3. Click "Install Now". Tap "I accept the license terms" and click "Next". 4. Choose "Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced)". 5. Select the formatted C drive and click "Next" to proceed with the Windows installation until it's finished.

Solution 5: Replace the Disk with a New One

If you've been using the system disk for an extended period, it might be aged or worn out. It's advisable to replace the hard drive with a new one to minimize the likelihood of the C drive appearing as RAW. You can follow the link below to learn how to replace a hard drive on a Dell/HP/Lenovo or other brands.

Conclusion

When you encounter a RAW C drive, try the aforementioned method to resolve the issue. This error is more prevalent on Windows 10, but the above solution is also applicable to Windows 11, 8, and 7. If your C drive turns RAW, you can utilize tools like Partition Master to conduct a disk surface test to identify bad sectors on the disk or format the RAW C drive to NTFS and reinstall Windows.

"RAW C Drive Windows 10 FAQs" translates to "Frequently Asked Questions about RAW C Drive in Windows 10" in English.

Suddenly, your C drive becomes RAW? You can try the five solutions provided to resolve the issue. Read on for more information in the FAQ section!

1. How do I fix my RAW C drive?

You can easily fix "C drive is RAW" in Windows 10 without data loss. It's suggested to try chkdsk commands in safe mode or bootrect command in the recovery environment first. If both are not working, you can then format and reinstall Windows 10.

**2. What causes the "Windows 10 C drive changed RAW" issue?**

This post compiles several possible reasons for the C drive displaying a RAW error, as follows:

Here are the translations for the languages you've provided in English:
• Virus or malware infection
• Unexpected power outage or sudden shutdown
• Corrupted or damaged file system of the C drive
• Bad sectors on the C drive
• Old and worn-out system disks used for a very long period

3. How to fix a RAW drive without formatting?

CHKDSK is an integrated utility in Windows 11/10/8/7. It can examine and correct fundamental disk errors, including issues with the RAW file system. It enables you to rectify a RAW hard drive without the need for formatting.