It’s important to note that the steps outlined in this article assume you have basic knowledge of using the command prompt and navigating Windows. If you’re not comfortable with these tasks, it’s recommended to seek assistance from a qualified technician.
Disabling Automatic Repair Before Windows 10 Fails to Boot
One proactive approach to bypassing Startup Repair is to disable the automatic repair feature before your system encounters any issues. Here’s how to do it:
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator.”
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
bcdedit
This command will display information about your Windows Boot Loader, including the identifier value.
To disable automatic repair, execute this command:
bcdedit /set {identifier} recoveryenabled No
Replace {identifier} with the actual identifier value you noted in step 2.
Restart your computer. The automatic repair feature will no longer run automatically after the third unsuccessful boot.
Disabling Automatic Repair After Windows 10 Fails to Boot
If your system is already stuck in a Startup Repair loop, you can still disable the automatic repair feature using the following steps:
When the Startup Repair screen appears, click on “Advanced options.”
Select “Troubleshoot.”
Click on “Advanced options” again.
Select “Command Prompt.”
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
This command will disable automatic repair for the default Windows 10 operating system.
Restart your computer. The automatic repair feature should now be disabled, allowing you to access your system.
Using System Restore to Bypass Startup Repair
If disabling automatic repair doesn’t work, you can try using System Restore to roll back your system to a previous state. Here’s how:
When the Startup Repair screen appears, click on “Advanced options.”
Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “System Restore.”
Choose the restore point created before the Startup Repair loop began. Windows 10 creates a system restore point each time it installs an update, driver, or app.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the System Restore process.
Once the restore process finishes, restart your computer.
Running System File Checker and CHKDSK
Windows 10 offers built-in tools like System File Checker (SFC) and CHKDSK to check and repair missing or corrupted system files. Here’s how to use them:
Restart your PC and press the “F8” key to trigger the Windows troubleshooting menu.
Select “See advanced repair options.”
In the “Choose an option” menu, click “Troubleshoot.”
Under the “Troubleshoot” menu, select the “Advanced options” option.
Select “Command Prompt.”
In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
chkdsk /r c:
sfc /scannow
The chkdsk /r c: command will check your drive for errors using the CHKDSK utility and automatically repair them if possible. The sfc /scannow command will check the integrity of Windows system files using the System File Checker tool.
Type “Exit” to close the Command Prompt.
Finally, restart your computer.
Booting into Safe Mode
If the above methods don’t work, you can try booting into Safe Mode to troubleshoot further:
Restart your PC and press the “F8” key to trigger the Windows troubleshooting menu.
Select “See advanced repair options.”
In the “Choose an option” menu, click “Troubleshoot.”
Under the “Troubleshoot” menu, select the “Advanced options” option.
Select “Startup Settings.”
Click “Restart.”
When your computer restarts, select “Enable Safe Mode” from the list of options.
In Safe Mode, you can uninstall device drivers, roll back Windows 10 updates, remove viruses, and more. It’s a useful troubleshooting environment when dealing with Startup Repair issues.
Performing a Clean Boot
Another option to bypass Startup Repair is to perform a clean boot. This process starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a third-party application or driver is causing the Startup Repair loop. Here’s how to do it:
Press the Windows key R to open the Run dialog.
Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab.
Check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
Click “Disable all.”
Go to the “Startup” tab.
Click “Open Task Manager.”
In the Task Manager, select each startup item and click “Disable.”
Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
Restart your computer.
After performing a clean boot, check if you can access your system without encountering the Startup Repair loop. If successful, you can gradually re-enable the disabled services and startup items to identify the culprit.
Performing a System Reset or Reinstallation
If all else fails, you may need to resort to a system reset or a complete reinstallation of Windows 10. Keep in mind that these options will erase all your personal files, apps, and settings, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
To perform a system reset:
When the Startup Repair screen appears, click on “Advanced options.”
Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Reset this PC.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
If a system reset doesn’t work or you prefer a clean slate, you can reinstall Windows 10 from scratch:
Create a Windows 10 installation media using a USB drive or DVD.
Boot from the installation media.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install a fresh copy of Windows 10.
Keep in mind that a system reset or reinstallation should be a last resort, as it will erase all your data and settings. Always back up important files before attempting these methods.
In conclusion, the Startup Repair loop can be a frustrating issue, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can bypass it and regain access to your Windows 10 system. Remember to always have a backup of your important data and consider seeking professional assistance if you’re unsure about any of the steps outlined in this guide.