If you’re experiencing issues with your Windows computer’s startup, don’t panic. There are several methods you can try to repair and restore your system to a working condition. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to diagnose and fix common startup problems using built-in tools and external resources.
Method 1: Startup Repair Tool
The Startup Repair tool is a built-in utility in Windows that can help you resolve startup issues. Here’s how to use it:
Start the system to the installation media for the installed version of Windows.
On the “Install Windows” screen, select “Next” and then “Repair your computer”.
On the “Choose an option” screen, select “Troubleshoot”.
On the “Advanced options” screen, select “Startup Repair”.
The Startup Repair tool will scan your system and attempt to fix any issues preventing Windows from booting properly. If successful, your computer should restart normally.
Method 2: System Restore
If you have a system restore point created before the startup issues began, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state. Here’s how:
Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10’s Advanced Startup Options menu.
Click “System Restore”.
Select your username and enter your password.
Select a restore point from the menu and follow the prompts.
Keep in mind that using System Restore will revert your system to a previous state, so any changes made after the restore point was created will be lost.
Method 3: Disk Scan
Corrupted files can sometimes cause startup problems. If you can boot into Windows, even in safe mode, you should perform a disk scan to check for and fix any corrupted files:
Type “cmd” into the main search box.
Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator”.
Type “sfc /scannow” at the command prompt and hit Enter.
The scan will take some time, but it should fix any corrupted files it finds.
Method 4: Reset Windows
If you want a fresh start, free from any problematic software or drivers, you can reset Windows 10 to its default settings:
Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10’s Advanced Startup Options menu.
Click “Reset this PC”.
Select “Get started” and follow the prompts.
Resetting Windows will remove all installed applications and restore your system to its factory default state, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
Method 5: Reinstall Windows
If all else fails and you can’t even reset your Windows computer, you can reinstall the operating system entirely. This will erase all data on your system, so it should be considered a last resort:
Create a bootable Windows installation media using another computer.
Boot your computer from the installation media.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install a fresh copy of Windows.
Keep in mind that reinstalling Windows will erase all data on your system, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.