When your Windows 10 system starts misbehaving, experiencing frequent crashes, or exhibiting other signs of instability, it may be time to consider a repair installation. This process can help resolve issues with corrupted system files, driver conflicts, and other software-related problems without the need for a complete reinstallation of the operating system.
Navigate to the Windows 10 Advanced Startup Options Menu
The first step in repairing a Windows 10 installation is to access the Advanced Startup Options menu. This can be done in a few different ways:
- Restart your computer and press the F11 key (or another designated boot key, depending on your system) to enter the boot menu.
- Go to the Start menu, click the Power button, and hold down the Shift key while selecting Restart.
- Open the Settings app, navigate to Update & Security > Recovery, and under “Advanced startup,” click the Restart now button.
Once your computer has booted into the Advanced Startup Options menu, select the “Troubleshoot” option.
Perform a Startup Repair
From the Troubleshoot menu, select the “Advanced options” option. This will take you to a new menu where you can choose the “Startup Repair” tool.
The Startup Repair tool will scan your system for any issues that may be preventing Windows from booting properly and attempt to fix them. This process can take some time, so be patient and let it complete.
Use the System Restore Feature
If the Startup Repair tool is unable to resolve the issue, you can try using the System Restore feature to revert your system to a previous, working state. To do this, select the “System Restore” option from the Advanced options menu.
System Restore will allow you to choose a restore point from a specific date and time, which can help undo any recent changes or updates that may have caused the problem. Keep in mind that this process will also revert any personal files or installed programs that were added since the restore point was created.
Perform an In-Place Upgrade Repair Install
If the previous methods have not been successful, you can try performing an in-place upgrade repair install of Windows 10. This process will reinstall the operating system while preserving your personal files, settings, and most installed applications.
To do this, you’ll need to create a Windows 10 installation media, either a USB drive or a DVD. Once you have the installation media, boot your computer from it and select the “Repair your computer” option. From there, choose the “Upgrade this PC now” option, which will initiate the in-place upgrade process.
This method can be particularly useful if you’re experiencing issues with corrupted system files or other software-related problems that are preventing Windows from booting properly.