How to Fix Windows Startup Problems (Windows Fails to Start, Cannot Repair, Cannot Restore)

Last updated on August 29th, 2017

The problem is odd: Suddenly Windows fails to start normally or goes into an infinite loop into the Automatic Repair mode and trying to fix the startup problems without success. Furthermore, any other effort to fix the Windows start-up problem, by using the System Restore, Refresh, Start-up repair, Go back to previous build options fails.

The Windows start-up problems are commonly caused by corrupted system or registry files and they often occur after the installation of a program or a Windows update.

This tutorial contains detailed instructions on how to fix Startup problems on Windows 10 or Windows 8 OS.

How to fix Windows Fails to Start, Fails to Repair or Fails to Restore issues in Windows 10, 8 & 7 OS.

Important: Before proceeding to fix Windows Startup problems, by following the instructions on the methods below, try the following procedure:

1. Disconnect everything of your computer, including the power cord. If you ‘re using a laptop, also remove the battery.
2. With everything disconnected, press and hold down the Power button, for about 15-20 seconds.
3. Put back the Power cord and connect only any other device needed (e.g. Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor). Leave disconnected any other USB device that isn’t needed to boot. (USB Storage devices, USB printers, etc.)
4. Power On your computer.
5. Get in BIOS and ensure that the main Hard Drive (the one with the OS), is the first boot device in Boot Priority list (and not the «Windows Boot Manager»).
6. Save and exit BIOS.
7. Reboot your computer.
8. If Windows fails to start again, first try to run a system restore or to fix Start-up problems by using the Windows Troubleshooting options if available. If everything fails, then proceed to the methods below. *

* Note: All the methods below require to access Command Prompt. If you ‘re unable to access command prompt, during Windows boot, then:

a. Boot your computer from a Windows Installation Media (USB or DVD). **
b. At the Windows Setup screen press SHIFT + F10 to access command prompt, or choose Next –> Repair your computer –> Troubleshoot –> Advanced Options –> Command Prompt.

** If you don’t own a Windows Installation Media, then you can create one (corresponding to your Windows Edition and Version) directly from Microsoft.

Method 1. Check Disk and File System for Errors.

Method 2. Restore Windows Registry.

Method 3. Repair Boot Configuration Data.

Method 1. Check Disk and File System for Errors.

The first method to resolve Windows startup problems is to check the disk and the file system for errors. To do that, boot from the Windows boot media and…

1. From Advanced Options, select Command Prompt.

2. In command prompt, type: bcdedit and press Enter.
3. Notice the drive letter of OS partition (e.g. «osdevice –> partition=D: «)

4. Then give this command* and press Enter:

* Note: Replace the letter «D» according to your case.

5. When the CHKDSK process is completed, give this command: *

* Note: If you have started your computer from the Windows installation media, then you ‘ll receive the following error after giving the SFC / SCANNOW» command: «There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run SFC again«. To bypass the error you have to run the SFC command offline: **

• sfc /scannow /offbootdir= :\ /offwindir= :\windows

** Replace the » » with the drive letter where Windows are installed. In this example Windows are installed at drive D:. So the command is:

• sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=D:\ /OFFWINDIR=D:\windows

6. After SFC scan, type exit to close command prompt window and reboot your computer.

Method 2. Restore Windows Registry.

The second method to fix Windows startup problems is to restore the registry files from the «C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBackup» folder. To do that, boot from the Windows boot media and…

1. From Advanced Options, select Command Prompt.
2. In command prompt, type: bcdedit and press Enter.
3. Notice the drive letter of the OS partition (e.g. «osdevice –> partition=C: «)

4. Then type the drive letter of the OS partition + : and press Enter (e.g. C: ).
5. Then give the following commands in order (press Enter after each command):

• cd \windows\system32\config
• md backupold
• copy *.* backupold
• cd regback
• copy *.* ..

* Notice: Press a when asked to overwrite all files in destination.

6. Type exit and press Enter to close command prompt.
7. Reboot your computer.

* Note: If after the restart, your PC doesn’t start, with the error «The operating system couldn’t be loaded because the system registry file(s) is missing or contains errors«, (see screenshot below), then boot from a Windows installation media, launch command prompt and restore the original registry files from the «backupold» folder, by giving the following commands in order:

• cd \windows\system32\config\backupold
• copy *.* ..

(Type exit and press Enter to close command prompt and then reboot your computer).

Method 3. Repair Boot Configuration Data

1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media (DVD or USB).
2. Launch command prompt.
3. Then follow the instructions below, according to your OS version:

4A. Windows 7 or Vista:

a. In command prompt give these commands:

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot

b. Close command prompt and try to boot in Windows normally. If Windows still can not start, then launch command prompt again and give this command:

• bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd

c. After executing the bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd command:

• Case A: If you see the message «Total identified Windows installations: 1«:

1. Press the Y key (Yes) to Add installation to boot list.
2. Restart your computer and try to boot in Windows normally.

• Case B: If you see the message «Total identified Windows installations: 0» then:

1. Type bcdedit and press Enter to find out which is the OS partition letter (e.g. «osdevice –> partition=C:»).

2. Then type the below commands in order:

* Note: Replace the letter » C » with the drive letter of OS partition according to your case.

• • bcdedit /export C :\bcdbackup
  • C :
  • cd boot
  • attrib bcd -s -h –r
  • ren C :\boot\bcd bcd.old
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd

3. Press the Y key (Yes) to Add installation to boot list.
4. Reboot your computer and boot in Windows normally.

4B. Windows 10, 8.1 or 8:

a. In command prompt give these commands:

• diskpart
• list volume

– Notice the Volume number of the System Rese * («System Reserved») volume and the Driver Letter of the OS Volume. **

* The «System Rese» volume contains the Boot Manager and the Boot Configuration Data, it has the smallest size (e.g. 100MB, 350MB) of all volumes and if you use an UEFI based computer then the «System Reserved» is in Fat32 format (aka «EFI» volume).
** The OS volume is the partition where the Windows are installed and commonly is the largest volume in size (GB).

e.g. In this example:

The volume number of the «System Rese» volume is «2«

The drive letter of the OS volume is «D«.

b. Select the «System Rese» volume by typing this command:

• select volume 2

* Note: Replace the number » 2 «, according to your case.

c. Then give these commands:

• assign letter=Z
• exit

d. Finally type this command:

• bcdboot D:\windows /s Z: /f ALL

* Note: Replace the letter » D «, according to the drive letter of the OS volume in your case.

e. Restart your computer and try to boot in Windows normally. If Windows doesn’t boot, then follow the same steps, but replace the last command (bcdboot D:\windows /s Z: /f ALL) with the following command:

• bcdboot D:\windows /s Z: /f UEFI

That’s it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

Full household PC Protection — Protect up to 3 PCs with NEW Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium!

One Comment

sergio
August 30, 2017 @ 7:33 pm

Stuck at Windows Is Loading Files Loop? Fixes Here

During the process of Windows setup, Windows 7 or Windows Vista users may encounter the Windows is loading files loop or be stuck at the Windows is loading files screen. Given that, we will present you all the potential fixes for the issue and provide an effective way to recover your data with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard when Windows cannot boot.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Reviews and Awards

Did you waitВ for a long period for the computer to boot up but it stuck in «Windows is loading files. «? Don’t worry when you come across this error. In the following, you will find 8 fixes to get your computer out of this issue. Pick up one and make your computer work now:

Workable Solutions	Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Run Startup Repair	Insert Windows installation disk and boot PC on it > Select «Repair your computer». Full steps
Fix 2. Update Computer Drivers	Restart PC and press F8 > Enter Advanced Boot Options > Select «Safe Mode». Full steps
Fix 3. Check HDD and RAM	If you have 1+ hard disk or RAM memory stick, remove the additional one and restart PC. Full steps
Fix 4. Reset or Update BIOS	Enter BIOS > «Setup Defaults» > «Load Setup Default» > Save the changes. Full steps
Fore More Fixes	Uninstall suspicious programs, run bootrec, run CHKDSK, and reinstall Windows (in Fix 5, 6, 7, and 8). Full steps

Overview of ‘Windows is loading files’

«When I run a startup repair on my Windows 10 Dell laptop, the system was stuck at loading circle in a reboot loop. It kept showing the ‘Windows is loading files’ screen. When the loading process was finished, it went back on the laptop starting page and went to the Windows is loading filesВ screenВ again and again.»

A similar situation of the «Windows is loading files» issue is that when you try to reinstall Windows, you may get a black screen that shows you the «Windows is loading files» message but the loading wheel is frozen and never moved on. Usually, Windows couldn’t load correctlyВ can happen for various reasons. And following the issue, users may also encounter other problems like theВ black screen of death, computer freezing randomly, startup repair loop, disk boot failure, etc.

Possible Causes

The Windows loading process is a process that will happen each time you start your computer. Generally, it will go through so quickly that you cannot even notice it. But if you are stuck on the screen, there must be something wrong with your computer.

The «Windows is loading files» loop may occur when you try to start your computer or reinstall Windows. If you come across this issue when you start your computer, it may result from a damaged BOOTMGR. (BOOTMGR, Windows Boot Manager, is a small piece of software that helps your Windows operating system start.) While if it occurs when you try to reinstall Windows 7 or Windows Vista, the culprit may be your computer drivers.

Fixes for Windows is Loading Files Loop

Whether the «Windows is loading files» loop is due to BOOTMGR damage or problematic computer drivers, you can apply the following solutions to fix it.

Method 1. Run Startup Repair

The first tip we recommend you try is to perform Startup Repair with the Windows installation disc.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Select «Repair your computer» in the Windows Welcome screen.

Step 4. Choose your corresponding OS. When you see the System Recovery Options, choose «Startup Repair».

Step 5. Wait for the repairing process to finish. After that, restart your computer.

If «Startup Repair» cannot fix your PC that is stuck at the «Windows is loading files» screen, continue to try the «System Restore» option.

Method 2. Update Computer Drivers

Device drivers server as the communication media between your Windows OS and the deviceВ (motherboard, video card, sound card, printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.). Computer and hardware manufacturers always include a group of drivers for different hardware devices, like driver CD or DVD. The driver related problems can also be fixed by updating the drivers. To update drivers on a computer that cannot boot, you need to enter the Safe Mode.В Safe Mode starts your computer with only necessary drives and services. By doing so, it limits your Windows operations to basic functions, which can serve as a troubleshooting function.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press «F8» in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of «Advanced Boot Options».В Under it, choose «Safe Mode».

Step 3. Insert your driver CD/DVD and find the drivers.

Step 4. Run the .exe file or setup file in the driver folder and follow to install the driver. If there is a .inf file only, you can install the driver using the .inf file.

Method 3. Check HDD and RAM

A problematic hard disk or RAM is also likely to cause the «Windows is loading files» loop. If you have more than one hard disk or RAM memory stick on your computer, you can try to remove the additional devices and restart your computer.

Method 4. Reset BIOS or Update BIOS

According to user feedback, it’s also helpful to reset BIOS to its default settings or updating BIOS to the latest version. Here we will show you the way to reset BIOS:

Step 1. Restart your computer.

Step 2. Press the proper key to enter BIOS. (Depending on the computer you are using, the keys to enter BIOS vary.)

Step 3. Find the «Setup Defaults» option. It may be called Load Default, Load BIOS Defaults, Load Default Settings, Load Setup Default or something similar.

Step 4. Save the changes and exit BIOS.

Method 5. Boot into Safe Mode

If you have recently installed new programs or drives on your computer before the «Windows is loading files» error happens, you can take a chance to remove the program or drive by booting to Safe Mode.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press «F8» in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of «Advanced Boot Options».В Under it, choose «Safe Mode».

Step 3. Uninstall theВ suspicious programs or drivers that lead to your PC stuck at «Windows is loading files».

Step 4. When you have finished troubleshooting, repeat the first step and choose «Start Windows Normally» under the «Advanced Boot Options».

Method 6. Run bootrec

Bootrec, also called bootrec.exe utility, is a tool provided by Microsoft in the Windows Recovery Environment. When your computer fails to start, bootrec.exe can be used to fix the Master Boot Record (MBR), Boot Sector, Boot Configuration (BCD), and boot.ini.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Chose «Command Prompt».

Step 4. Enter the following command one by one:

• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
• Exit

Step 5. Restart your computer.

Method 7. Run Chkdsk

CHKDSK is a command that can check and repair errors found in a disk. As mentioned above, a problematic hard disk is likely to lead to the «Windows is loading files» error. Thus, it is useful to run CHKDSK to repair your disk errors.

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc into your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Chose «Command Prompt».

Step 4. Type chkdsk c: /f and hit «Enter». (Replace «c» with your system partition.)

Step 5. Enter exit and restart your computer.

Method 8. Reinstall Windows

If none of the solutions above works to fix the «Windows is loading files» error, the last solution provided is to reinstall Windows. Generally speaking, reinstalling Windows won’t lead to data loss. But in rare cases, OS reinstallation may cause data loss to your system partition. Thus, it’s necessary to keep the data on your system partition safe before the operation. Here EaseUSВ bootable data recovery softwareВ can helpВ access data without OS! With it, you can rescue data and save it to a safe place like an external disk or USB device, even when your PC won’t boot into Windows.В

Download the EaseUS bootable data recovery software and follow the guide below to solve your problem.

To export data before fixing Windows is loading files stuck loop by reinstalling Windows:В

Step 1. Create a bootable disk.

Prepare an empty USB. If you have important data on it, copy the data to another device. When you create a bootable disk, the data on the USB will be erased. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition will help you create a bootable disk. Connect the USB drive to PC, launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition. Select the USB drive and click «Proceed» to create a bootable disk.

Step 2. Boot from the bootable USB.

Connect the bootable disk to PC that won’t boot and change your computer boot sequence in BIOS. For most users, it works well when they restart their computer and press F2 at the same time to enter BIOS. Set to boot the PC from «Removable Devices» (bootable USB disk) or «CD-ROM Drive» (bootable CD/DVD) beyond Hard Drive. Press «F10» to save and exit.

Step 3. Recover files/data from a PC/laptop hard drive that won’t boot.

When you boot from the USB, you can run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard from the WinPE bootable disk. Select the drive you want to scan to find all your lost files.В

Click Scan to start the scanning process.

Recover data from the computer or laptop. After the scan completed, you can preview all recoverable files, select the targeted files, and click the «Recover» button to restore your files. You’d better save all of the recovered data to another place to avoid data overwriting.

Now you can reinstall Windows without worrying about any data loss:

Step 1. Insert your Windows 7/Vista installation disc to your computer.

Step 2. Start your computer and boot from your installation DVD.

Step 3. Select a keyboard method and choose a language you prefer. Click «Next».

Step 4. Choose «Install Now».

Step 5. Follow the wizard to finish the installation process.

The Bottom Line

The «Windows is loading files» error generally occurs on computers running Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Driver issues and corrupted BOOTMGR are the two main causes of the problem. All the solutions above are worth trying. If you are worried about data loss, don’t hesitate to use EaseUS data recovery software to access and recover your computer files when your computer cannot boot.