Boot issues can be really frustrating. One moment your system is fine, and the next you're staring at a black screen or stuck in a boot loop. You might see cryptic error messages or endlessly spinning circles. You’re not sure what to click, what to avoid, and your biggest fear, losing your files, starts looming. That’s why I’ve put this guide together; to give you simple, clear steps for a successful Windows 10 startup repair, and more importantly, to show you that these things can be fixed really easily.
Windows 10 Startup Repair via Safe Mode
Safe Mode is like Windows on a detox, it loads only the bare minimum drivers and services, giving your system a chance to boot without interference from problematic software. Think of it as a clean slate that lets you isolate and troubleshoot the issue without all the usual clutter running in the background. It's especially useful if you've recently installed a faulty driver, update, or app that’s causing chaos. In Safe Mode, you're in control, no fancy visuals, just the core essentials to help you get things fixed.
Follow these steps to repair windows 10 via safe mode:
Step 1: First press and hold the “Shift” key on your keyboard , and then click “Restart” on your screen. This triggers the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) directly from the login screen or Start menu.
Step 2: Then as the bootup screen appears, Navigate to “Troubleshoot” which will lead you to a new screen.
Step 3: Now among the two options on your screen, click “Advanced Options.”
Step 4: Then navigate to “Startup Settings” and simply click “Restart.” You’ll be guided through a few blue screens. Take your time; just follow the trail.
Step 5: Now to enter the safe mode, press “F4”. This boots Windows in a minimal state, skipping third-party drivers and some services.
Step 6: Open Command Prompt through the search bar of windows on the bottom left of your screen and run system checks. Use the following: “sfc /scannow”, this scans and fixes corrupted system files.”chkdsk /f /r”, and this checks your disk for bad sectors and repairs them.
Step 7(optional): You can manually uninstall problematic updates or drivers in the “Update & Security” option in your Windows settings.
Step 8: Now Restart your computer normally. Exit Safe Mode by simply restarting the PC without pressing any special keys.
Ease of Use: This method is user-friendly and works best if the system boots partially or you're able to reach the login screen.
In my own experience, Safe Mode proved invaluable when a recent graphics driver update rendered my display unusable and prevented Windows from booting correctly. By entering Safe Mode, I was able to access Device Manager and safely roll back the faulty update without interference from other background processes. It offers a streamlined environment specifically designed to isolate and resolve issues caused by recent software or driver changes, a reliable first step for targeted troubleshooting.
Windows 10 Startup Repair Using USB Drive
If your PC won't load Windows at all, not even Safe Mode, this method will be your best friend. It’s designed for situations where your system is completely unresponsive or stuck in a boot loop. You’ll need access to a second, working computer to create a bootable USB drive with Windows 10 installation files. This external boot option allows you to bypass whatever’s broken inside your system and access powerful recovery tools. It’s a solid approach when your main drive is so messed up that normal recovery routes aren’t even an option.
Follow these steps to repair Windows 10 startup using USB drive:
Step 1: First of all, make sure Windows 10 is downloaded as your setup. If not, Head over to the official website of Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft and download it from there.
Step 2: Then use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB. Follow on-screen prompts. It takes about 20-30 minutes depending on your internet speed and USB drive.
Step 3: Now Insert a USB and restart your PC. Plug it into the system you want to repair and reboot.
Step 4: Once done, enter BIOS/UEFI to USB as the first boot device. Press “Esc” , “Del”, or “F2” during boot (depending on your PC brand). Change the boot order to prioritize the USB.
Step 5: On the Automatic Repair Screen, click "Advanced Options." This takes you into WinRE.
Step 6: Then as the new screen appears, Navigate to “Troubleshoot” which will lead you to a new screen.
Step 7: Now among the two options on your screen, click “Advanced Options.”
Step 8: Now click “Startup Repair” and let Windows try to auto-repair itself. This can take a few minutes.
Step 9: If Startup Repair fails, explore other Advanced Options. You can use System Restore, or go back to Command Prompt to take control.
Ease of Use: This is slightly technical but manageable with another PC and some patience.
I relied on this method when dealing with a system that wouldn’t boot at all, no Safe Mode, no desktop, just a black screen. Using a second PC, I created a bootable USB drive and was able to access Windows Recovery tools directly from there. It’s particularly effective for systems that are entirely unresponsive, and it empowers you to take control of the repair process without immediately resorting to professional help. For completely unbootable PCs, this approach has proven to be both practical and efficient.
Windows 10 Startup Repair via Command Prompt
This one’s for the slightly more tech-savvy or those who want total control. Command Prompt allows you to address specific root-level issues, boot sectors, corrupted system files, and all that behind-the-scenes stuff.
Here’s how you can repair Windows 10 Startup via Command Prompt:
Step 1: Trigger the Windows Recovery Environment. In order to make this happen, force shutdown your PC two or three times while it’s trying to boot. This should automatically launch WinRE.
Step 2: Then as the bootup screen appears, Navigate to “Troubleshoot” which will lead you to a new screen.
Step 3: Now among the two options on your screen, click “Advanced Options.”
Step 4: Now Navigate to the “Command Prompt” option.
Alt text:
Step 5: Run these commands one at a time(the image below shows execution of two of these commands):
sfc /scannow: Repairs system files.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth: Fixes corrupted Windows images.
bootrec /fixmbr: Rebuilds the Master Boot Record.
bootrec /fixboot: Writes a new boot sector.
bootrec /scanos: Finds installed Windows OS versions.
bootrec /rebuildbcd: Reconstructs boot configuration data.
chkdsk C: /f /r: Scans and repairs disk issues. Change C: to match your system drive if needed. -Note: Confirm your system drive letter before running this command (it's usually C:, but it may vary).
Step 6: Now Type "exit" and restart your PC. Hopefully, you’ll see Windows loading like normal.
Ease of Use: Best for users with some experience or comfort navigating commands.
When I encountered persistent boot failures tied to corrupted system files, Command Prompt from the Windows Recovery Environment became my go-to solution. It’s an ultra-powerful tool that allowed me to directly repair the boot configuration, rebuild the BCD, and run system scans like SFC and DISM to fix underlying issues. This method goes deeper than surface-level repairs and is ideal for resolving complex boot record errors that standard recovery tools often miss.
Use WPS Office After Windows 10 Startup Repair
Once your PC is alive and kicking again, the next thing you’ll probably want is to get back to work or school without wasting a second. That’s where WPS Office comes in clutch, it’s fast, lightweight, and doesn’t drag your system down. Unlike bulkier alternatives, it opens in seconds and comes packed with Writer, Spreadsheets, Presentation, and even a built-in PDF toolkit.
You can also edit PDFs like Word docs, convert files with a single click, and seamlessly switch between tabs. Its cross-platform sync and Cloud Integration make it ideal if you’re bouncing between devices. After a stressful startup repair, WPS helps you slide right back into productivity like nothing ever happened. Here’s why I recommend it:
Speedy Performance: WPS opens in seconds, unlike other platforms which can lag, especially after a repair when your system’s still getting back on its feet. You don’t need high specs to run it smoothly.
Free Suite: With WPS, you get Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation completely free, no licenses, no surprise paywalls like Microsoft Office often throws at you.
Compatibility: It handles all formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx flawlessly. No weird layout issues or formatting errors that usually show up in free alternatives.
Post-repair Productivity: Microsoft Office takes time to download, install, and activate. WPS is plug-and-play, you’re back to work in minutes, no delays, no payments.
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FAQs
Q1: Will Startup Repair delete my files?
No, it’s designed to fix system files and boot configurations only. Your personal files should remain untouched.
Q2: What if Startup Repair doesn’t work?
Then it’s time to try System Restore, Command Prompt, or even Reset This PC under the Advanced Options menu.
Q3: Is there a shortcut to quickly access Startup Repair?
Yes. Press and hold Shift, then click Restart from the login screen or Start menu. It’ll bring you straight into WinRE.
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