Cannot define recovery destination (corrupted Windows 8 HD)

I am trying to recover files from a correputed Windows 8 laptop hard drive. The computer will not boot, so created a boot flash drive and also loaded recuva portable onto the flash drive. Was able to boot the system and run recuva64 from the command prompt. Recuva scanned the hard drive (c:\) and identified the files that I wanted to recover, appear to be in Excellent shape. However, when I clicked on the Recovery button, I did not get the file tree view window, clicking Make New Folder did not work, and the OK button remained grayed out. My goal was to recover the files back to the same flash drive from which I booted, but I could recover to other external devices if needed. I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

If you have other external devices that you can recover to, then do it now. The important thing is to get your files to a place of safety as soon as possible. You can worry about not seeing your flash drive later.

Appreciate the prompt reply. My challenge is trying to move the files from the corrupted C:\ drive to an external medium. Recuva is the only program (of several that I have tried) that can even identify the files--the other programs that I have run have been unable to navigate the corrupted file structure. But in attempting to recover the files that Recuva had detected, I cannot give it a location for writing--when I clicked on the Recovery button, I did not get the file tree view window, clicking Make New Folder did not work, and the OK button remained grayed out. Is there any option when running from a command prompt to provide a default location for file recovery? And do you have a recommendation for a different approach to moving the files to an external medium? Again, I appreciate your response and note that Recuva is so far the only recovery program that has even gotten me this far. Thank you.

What is the Operating Sysstem under which you are running Recuva ?

You already know that something is so broken that "clicking Make New Folder did not work" so DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN.

Instead use Windows Explorer to create a destination folder on the "external medium".

If you do not succeed then Recuva is not implicated - something is wrong with whatever is your active Operating System.

I you succeed in creating a destination folder, then use Recuva to find and save the files,

and if that does not work please run Windows Disk Management and expand to show all details for all Disks and partitions and supply a screen shot.

Running a recovery version of Windows 8. Because of the corruption of the C:\, I can't run Windows Explorer, which is why (I assume) the Browse for Folder window comes up empty. My question is whether there is any way to specify a destination folder (e.g., a flash drive) other than selection through the Browse for Folder window. Again, I appreciate your assistance and note that Recuva is the only the program I have found that can even find the files that I would like to recover. Thank you.

That does NOT make sense.

YOU MUST use a non-corrupted Windows Installation.

If your System Disk cannot boot then how can you see drive C:\

Give up what you are doing.

Disconnect your corrupted Disk from the unbootable computer,

and connect it to a FULLY WORKING computer with Recuva installed,

and to that attach your destination drive.

THEN Windows Explorer and Recuva should fully function,

and if not post the requested screen-shot.

I tried to connect the hard drive directly to a different Windows machine but the drive was not recognized. I was able to create an image (.img file) of the data partition and saved to an external hard drive. Unfortunately, because the data partition had some corruption, I could not mount the disk on Windows using tools such as OSFmount or FindandMount. Is there any way to point Recuva directly to an image file? Thank you.

I have identical issue. OS will not boot. Running Recuva from flash drive. Recuva can identify files that do not appear when reading the mounted OS drive. When it is time to select the location for recovery, no option is provided - the Browse for folder window does not show the folder tree for any drive, making it impossible to recover the files. Has anyone been able to go beyond this point?