Quick Solutions to Fix Windows Error 15 File Not Found

I. What are the signs and causes of Windows error 15?

Windows error 15 is often associated with the abrupt appearance of the “Error 15: File not found” message on your computer screen. This error prevents the system from starting up properly, making it impossible for users to access their data and programs as usual. The potential causes of this error typically include:

●The system shuts down abnormally

●Virus or malware intrusion causes damage to important system files

●Bad sectors on the hard disk lead to file corruption

●The master boot record file is damaged

If you are experiencing the “Error 15: File not found” message while using your computer, it is crucial to address and resolve the issue immediately. However, before attempting any repairs, it is highly recommended to utilize specialized system rescue software to safeguard your important data by transferring or restoring it to external hard drives. Renee PassNow offers the ability to transfer or restore data when the system is unable to start. Below are the detailed steps for this operation.

II. When the system fails to start, use Renee PassNow to transfer or recover data

1. What is Renee PassNow?

Renee PassNow is a professional system rescue software, which can help Windows users clear Windows account passwords, create new administrator accounts; restore disk/memory card data, recover data after hard disk formatting; transfer disk files; erase or scan disk files wait. In addition, this software also supports repairing Windows system problems, such as: repairing MBR boot records, DBR error parameters, 0xc00000e, Windows system startup failure, and some problems that cause black screen or blue screen, etc. As a system rescue tool with various functions, it is perfectly compatible with multiple systems including Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, and can meet the system rescue needs of different users.

2. How to use Renee PassNow to transfer or recover data?

Step 1: Download and install Renee PassNow on another computer that can log in and run normally, then connect the USB disk to the PC.

Please select the (Create a Live USB) option under “Step 1: Select creation method” in the main interface.

Note: Before performing this operation, please make sure that the important files in the USB disk have been saved in other locations because the operation will delete all the data in the USB disk.

Step 2: Next, select (x64) or (x86) according to the system type and click the (Download Now) button to download the ISO file. After the file is downloaded, click the (Create USB) button and click the (Eject USB) button.

Step 3: Connect the created boot device to the computer that needs to transfer data, turn on the computer, and then use the shortcut key to enter the BIOS setting interface. Next, set the boot USB disk as the first in the boot sequence in Boot Priority, then save the settings and restart the computer.

Step 4: Wait for a while, after Renee PassNow is loaded, select (Data Transfer).

Step 5: You can easily transfer files by clicking on the disk drive letter (C/D/E/F, etc.) and selecting the desired external disk. The process is simple – just choose the source drive on the upper left, the destination drive on the upper right, and click the Copy button in the middle. However, be cautious when deleting files as this action cannot be undone. To delete a file, simply select it and click the Delete button in the middle.

Step 6: If you find that there is data loss, please select the (Undeleter) option on the main interface, and click the (Run) button.

Step 7: Select (Whole Disk Scan) to scan the target hard disk.

Step 8: After the scan is complete, select the file to be recovered, and click the (Recover) button. Please save the file on another external disk.

After important data has been transferred or restored, we can safely fix Error 15.

III. How to solve the error 15 failure on Windows?

It should be noted that the system cannot be started due to the occurrence of this error, so before performing the following repair operations, you need to first enter safe mode.

1. Use antivirus software to check and kill viruses

We mentioned above that when the computer is attacked by viruses or malware, error 15 will appear. Therefore, you can use antivirus software to scan the entire system after entering safe mode.

2. Use the SFC command to check and repair damaged system files

The SFC command, System File Checker, instantly scans all protected system files and fixes problems. But you need to run this command in safe mode, the specific steps are as follows:

Step 1: Run the computer, then press (Shift) + (F8) keys at the same time. When you see the advanced startup options, select (Safe Mode) and enter. You can also click here to check how to get into Safe Mode if your system won’t start properly.

Step 2: Once in safe mode, you can search for (cmd), right click (command prompt) and run as administrator. Type the command (SFC /scannow) and press the (Enter) key. Next, the System File Checker will perform a system scan and fix problematic system files. After the repair is complete, restart the computer to see if the problem is resolved.

3. Repair the faulty hard disk

When the hard disk fails, it may also cause Windows error 15. At this time, you can use Chkdsk to check and repair the damaged hard disk. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Run the computer, then press (Shift) + (F8) keys at the same time. When you see the advanced startup options, select (Safe Mode) and enter. You can also click here to check how to get into Safe Mode if your system won’t start properly.

Step 2: After entering safe mode, search (cmd), right-click (command prompt) and run as an administrator. Enter the command chkdsk F: /f /r /x and press (Enter) to fix hard drive errors. After the error is fixed, restart the computer to see if the problem is resolved.

Note: F refers to the letter of the driver; /f will try to fix all errors on the disk; /x will force unmount the drive before starting the scan; /r will find bad sectors and restore readable information.