Windows Startup Repair is a built-in troubleshooting tool designed to quickly diagnose and fix common issues that prevent your computer from booting into the operating system. This feature can automatically detect and repair problems with files needed to start Windows 10, such as corrupted system files, missing or damaged boot files, and issues with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
Startup Repair is part of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), which can be accessed in several ways depending on your situation. If your computer isn’t booting properly, you can interrupt the boot process three times to trigger WinRE and start Startup Repair automatically. Alternatively, you can use a Windows installation USB drive or DVD to access WinRE and run Startup Repair manually.
How Startup Repair Works
When Startup Repair is initiated, it performs a series of diagnostics to determine the cause of the boot problem. It analyzes startup log files to identify common issues and then attempts to fix them automatically. If it can’t resolve the problem automatically, Startup Repair provides more advanced options for further diagnosis and repair.
The repair process involves scanning the computer’s hard drive, checking for corrupted system files, and attempting to restore or replace them. Startup Repair also checks the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and tries to fix any issues with the boot manager, boot loader, or operating system loader.
If Startup Repair is successful in fixing the boot problem, the computer will automatically restart and boot into Windows 10. However, if the repair process fails to resolve the issue, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps or consider reinstalling Windows 10 as a last resort.
When to Use Startup Repair
Startup Repair is most useful when you encounter boot problems such as a black screen with a blinking cursor, error codes related to missing or corrupted boot files, or a failure to boot into Windows 10 altogether. Some common scenarios where Startup Repair can help include:
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) missing or corrupted
Boot file or Master Boot Record (MBR) corrupted
Operating system missing
Boot sector missing or corrupted
Bootmgr missing or corrupted
System hive missing or corrupted
If you experience any of these issues or notice that your computer is stuck during the boot process, running Startup Repair can be a quick and effective way to resolve the problem without the need for a clean install of Windows 10.
How to Access Startup Repair
There are several ways to access Startup Repair in Windows 10, depending on your situation:
From the Settings app: Open the Settings app, go to Update & Security > Recovery, and click on “Restart Now” under Advanced Startup. Then, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
From the desktop: Click the Start button, hold down the Shift key, and click Restart. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
When Windows 10 fails to boot: If your computer fails to boot into Windows 10 after multiple attempts, it should automatically trigger Startup Repair. If it doesn’t, you can interrupt the boot process three times by powering off your computer after the Windows logo appears. On the fourth attempt, Startup Repair should start automatically.
From a Windows installation USB drive or DVD: If your computer won’t boot and you can’t access Startup Repair through other methods, you can use a Windows 10 installation USB drive or DVD to access WinRE and run Startup Repair manually.
Once you’ve accessed Startup Repair, follow the on-screen instructions to select your Windows 10 account, enter your password (if required), and allow the repair process to scan and fix any boot problems.
It’s important to note that while Startup Repair can fix many common boot issues, it may not be able to resolve all problems. In some cases, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps or consider reinstalling Windows 10 as a last resort.