If you’re experiencing persistent issues with your Windows 10 operating system, such as frequent crashes, blue screens, or performance problems, it may be time to consider a complete repair. Repairing Windows can help resolve a wide range of problems and restore your system to a stable and optimized state. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to completely repair Windows 10 using the Advanced Startup Options menu.
Accessing the Advanced Startup Options Menu
The first step in repairing Windows 10 is to access the Advanced Startup Options menu. There are several ways to do this:
- From the Windows 10 Settings menu: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under “Advanced startup,” click “Restart now.” After your PC restarts, select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart.”
- From the Windows sign-in screen: Press and hold the Shift key while selecting Power > Restart. After your PC restarts, select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart.”
- From the Windows 10 desktop: Open the Settings menu, go to Update & Security > Recovery, and click “Restart Now” under “Advanced startup.”
Using the Advanced Startup Options Menu
Once you’ve accessed the Advanced Startup Options menu, you’ll have several options to choose from:
- Startup Repair: This option scans your system for issues and attempts to automatically fix them. It’s a good starting point for troubleshooting startup problems.
- System Restore: If you’ve created a system restore point before the issues started, you can use this option to roll back your system to a previous state, effectively undoing any recent changes that may be causing problems.
- System Image Recovery: If you have a system image backup, you can use this option to restore your entire system to a previous state, effectively wiping out any recent changes or issues.
- Startup Settings: This option allows you to modify various startup settings, such as enabling safe mode or disabling driver signature enforcement.
- Command Prompt: If you’re comfortable with the command line, you can use this option to run advanced troubleshooting commands and diagnose issues.
Depending on the nature of your problem, you may need to try several of these options to find the one that works best for your situation.
Performing a System Restore
One of the most effective ways to repair Windows 10 is to perform a system restore. Here’s how:
- Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10’s Advanced Startup Options menu.
- Click “Troubleshoot.”
- Click “Advanced options.”
- Click “System Restore.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and complete the process.
Keep in mind that system restore will undo any changes made to your system since the restore point was created, so make sure to choose a restore point that predates the issues you’re experiencing.
Using Startup Repair
If system restore doesn’t resolve your issues, you can try using the Startup Repair tool:
- Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10’s Advanced Startup Options menu.
- Click “Troubleshoot.”
- Click “Advanced options.”
- Click “Startup Repair.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
Startup Repair will scan your system for common issues and attempt to fix them automatically. It’s a good option if you’re unsure of the root cause of your problem.
Resetting Your PC
If all else fails, you can try resetting your PC to its factory settings:
- Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10’s Advanced Startup Options menu.
- Click “Troubleshoot.”
- Click “Reset this PC.”
- Choose whether to keep your personal files or remove everything.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
Keep in mind that resetting your PC will remove all your installed programs and restore your system to its default state, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
Repairing Windows 10 can be a complex process, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can resolve a wide range of issues and restore your system to a stable and optimized state. By using the Advanced Startup Options menu and following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a fully repaired Windows 10 system.