How to Use Startup Repair to Fix Windows 10 Boot Problems

If your Windows 10 computer is having trouble booting up, the Startup Repair tool can be a lifesaver. This built-in troubleshooting utility is designed to quickly identify and resolve the most common issues that prevent your system from loading correctly.

Accessing Windows Startup Repair

There are a few different ways you can get to the Startup Repair tool in Windows 10:

From the Desktop: Open the Start menu, click the power button, hold down the Shift key, and then click Restart. This will take you to the Troubleshoot boot menu, where you can select “Startup Repair” under the “Advanced options” section.
From Bootable Media: If your computer won’t boot at all, you can use a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD to access the recovery environment. Start the computer with the bootable media, select your language, and then click “Repair your computer” to get to the Startup Repair tool.
Automatic Startup Repair: If Windows 10 fails to boot twice in a row, it will automatically initiate the Startup Repair process the next time you try to start your computer.

Using Startup Repair

Once you’ve accessed the Startup Repair tool, here’s what you can expect:
The tool will scan your system and attempt to diagnose the cause of the boot problem. This includes analyzing startup log files to determine the issue.
If a problem is found, Startup Repair will try to fix it automatically. Common issues it can address include corrupted boot files, missing system files, and issues with the Master Boot Record (MBR) or UEFI boot manager.
After the repair process is complete, your computer will automatically restart. Hopefully, Windows 10 will now be able to boot up properly.
If Startup Repair is unable to resolve the issue, it will provide you with a log file (located at %windir%\System32\LogFiles\Srt\Srttrail.txt) that can help you further troubleshoot the problem.

When Startup Repair Isn’t Enough

In some cases, the Startup Repair tool may not be able to fix the boot problem. If that happens, you have a few other options to try:
Clean Boot: Use the System Configuration (msconfig) tool to perform a clean boot and isolate any third-party services or drivers that may be causing the issue.
System Restore: If you have a recent system restore point, you can use it to roll back your system to a previous, working state.
Reinstall Windows: As a last resort, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 to resolve persistent boot problems. This will erase all your data, so be sure to back up anything important first.
Startup Repair is a powerful tool for quickly addressing common Windows 10 boot issues. By understanding how to access and use it, you can get your computer back up and running in no time.