Experiencing boot issues with your computer, such as a persistent Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), can be frustrating, but there is a way to resolve this problem. With a USB drive in hand, let’s delve into the steps to restore your system.
Preparation for Windows Repair
Before proceeding, ensure you have access to a functioning Windows computer, a USB flash drive with a minimum capacity of 8GB, and a reliable internet connection. Be aware that this process will erase all data on the USB drive, so back up any important files beforehand. You will need the internet connection to download the relevant media creation tool and the operating system image necessary for creating the bootable USB drive.
Steps to Create a Bootable Windows USB Drive
The media creation tool simplifies the task of making a bootable USB drive. You can obtain it from the Windows 11 download page. Locate the section titled Create Windows 11 Installation Media and click on Download Now.
Once downloaded, insert the USB drive into the working computer. Open the media creation tool and accept the terms and conditions. On the Select language and edition screen, verify that the settings are correct (select English and Windows 11), then click Next.
Select USB flash drive and click Next. Choose the USB drive you intend to use (remember this will wipe its contents), and click Next once more. Patience is key as the media creation tool prepares the setup.
Booting Windows from the USB Drive
To initiate the repair process, insert the USB drive into the malfunctioning computer and power it on. Access the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key during startup, typically F10, but it could also be Esc, Del, F1, or F2. Select the USB drive as the primary boot device.
For example, on my HP device, I pressed the ESC key at the HP logo to reach Startup Options, then hit F9 to access the Boot Menu and selected the USB drive from the available options.
Follow the prompts on the initial screens for language, currency, and keyboard layout—click Next until you reach the Select setup option screen. Choose Repair my PC and continue by clicking Next. Then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options to reach the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Accessing Repair Tools
The key tools you’ll utilize for repair include Startup Repair, System Restore, Command Prompt, and Uninstall Updates. Fear not; these options are straightforward to use.
Using Startup Repair
Startup Repair is tailored to resolve boot-related issues. This tool examines your system for any problems hindering startup and attempts repairs on damaged system files, boot records, and critical components.
To initiate this process, select Startup Repair and specify the operating system you wish to fix (especially relevant if operating multiple systems).The tool will begin diagnosing your PC—if issues are detected, it will report back with what was corrected. A simple restart will reveal if the fix was effective. Should Startup Repair not succeed, consider the alternative options available.
Implementing System Restore
System Restore provides an avenue to revert your computer to an earlier state using restore points, snapshots created by Windows prior to significant changes, like updates or software installations. You can also create restore points manually.
To engage System Restore, click on System Restore and follow the prompts to choose and apply a restore point. This method is especially effective if the issues began shortly after a specific update or change.
Utilizing Command Prompt
As its name suggests, the Command Prompt option opens the command line interface of Windows. Key actions here include running the SFC and DISM commands. The SFC command scans for and repairs corrupted system files, while the DISM command works to restore the system image itself.
Removing Updates
If booting issues arose following a recent Windows update, click Uninstall Updates. You can choose to remove either the latest quality update or the latest feature update. Quality updates tend to be smaller, addressing bugs and security concerns, while feature updates introduce substantial changes, typically released annually for Windows 11.
After selecting Uninstall for the desired update, restart your computer to evaluate if the problem is resolved.
If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting strategies and the issues persist, a Windows reset may be your next step, offering an option to retain your files. However, if that fails to resolve the issues, you may have to resort to a complete Windows installation, erasing all data and applications in the process. A clean start with a fresh Windows installation should ultimately remedy any lingering problems, so ensure you have backups of your important files ready for restoration.
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