How to Bypass the Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 8 and 8.1

If you’re stuck in the dreaded automatic repair loop in Windows 8 or 8.1, don’t panic. There are several ways to bypass this issue and get your system back up and running. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to fix the automatic repair loop, including using a Windows installation disc, running command prompt commands, and more.

Using a Windows Installation Disc

If you have a Windows 8 or 8.1 installation disc, you can use it to boot into the recovery environment and access advanced troubleshooting options. Here’s how:

Insert the Windows installation disc and reboot your computer.
Press any key to boot from the disc when prompted.
Choose your keyboard layout and click “Repair your computer” at the “Install now” screen.
Click “Troubleshoot”, then “Advanced options”, and finally “Command Prompt”.
In the command prompt, type bcdedit and press Enter. Look for the “resumeobject” entry under “default” and copy the long number, including the brackets.
Type bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures and press Enter.
Type bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no and press Enter.
Restart your computer and see if the automatic repair loop is resolved.

Disabling Automatic Repair Using Command Prompt

If you don’t have a Windows installation disc, you can still disable automatic repair using the command prompt. Here’s how:

Restart your computer and press the key to enter the boot menu (usually F2, F12, or Esc).
Select “Troubleshoot” from the boot menu.
Select “Advanced options” and then “Command Prompt”.
In the command prompt, type bcdedit /set {default} bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures and press Enter.
Type bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no and press Enter.
Restart your computer and see if the automatic repair loop is resolved.

Running Bootrec Commands

Another method to fix the automatic repair loop is to run the `bootrec` utility to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). Here’s how:

Boot from a Windows installation disc or USB drive.
Click “Repair your computer”, then “Troubleshoot”, and finally “Advanced options”.
Select “Command Prompt”.
In the command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Type exit and restart your computer.

Running System File Checker (SFC)

If the above methods don’t work, you can try running the System File Checker (SFC) to scan for and repair corrupted system files. Here’s how:

Boot from a Windows installation disc or USB drive.
Click “Repair your computer”, then “Troubleshoot”, and finally “Command Prompt”.
In the command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete and follow any instructions provided.
Restart your computer and see if the automatic repair loop is resolved.

Using Easy Recovery Essentials

If none of the above methods work, you can try using Easy Recovery Essentials, a third-party recovery tool. Here’s how:

Download Easy Recovery Essentials and create a bootable USB drive or CD.
Boot from the Easy Recovery Essentials media.
Select “Automated Repair” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer and see if the automatic repair loop is resolved.
In conclusion, there are several ways to bypass the automatic repair loop in Windows 8 and 8.1. Whether you have a Windows installation disc, can access the command prompt, or use a third-party recovery tool, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your system back up and running. Remember to always back up your important data before attempting any troubleshooting steps.