Boot loop and BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO after KB5079473 update installed mid-shutdown and cannot repair from WinRE

Question

Boot loop and BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO after KB5079473 update installed mid-shutdown and cannot repair from WinRE

e e 25

My laptop is stuck in a boot loop after KB5079473 installed mid-shutdown. I get BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO black screen when trying to boot. I have already tried chkdsk, SFC, bootrec, startup repair and uninstalling updates from WinRE. SFC found and repaired corrupt files but Windows still won't boot. This is a known faulty update, how do I fix this without resetting and losing my apps and settings?

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Answer accepted by question author

David-M 126K Independent Advisor

Sorry for the delay in reply. I've been offline.

Thanks for the details.

Based on the details you shared, I believe the abrupt shutdown of the computer during the update caused severe system corruption. This type of corruption can cause the system to freeze during boot or display blue screens. This explains why the same error appears when trying to start in Safe Mode with Network.

Since you've already tried Startup Repair, try using System Restore to restore Windows to a previous working state by choosing a restore point created before the update.

Start your computer again in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

(Same place you went to try to start in Safe Mode with Networking.)

On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore" and follow the on-screen instructions.

If the problem persists, you will need to reinstall the system. Let me know, and I will share the detailed step-by-step instructions for your case.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

David-M 126K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-21T14:04:20.8133333+00:00

I forgot to mention. I checked the minidumps, and they don't mention any drivers, only a generic system file. The errors are probably being caused by severe system corruption, as I mentioned in my answer.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
e e 25 Reputation points

2026-03-21T23:01:59.9633333+00:00

Thanks David, the system restore worked and I'm now in windows. Have a good day!

1 additional answer

Your answer

David-M 126K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-21T14:04:20.8133333+00:00

I forgot to mention. I checked the minidumps, and they don't mention any drivers, only a generic system file. The errors are probably being caused by severe system corruption, as I mentioned in my answer.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
e e 25 Reputation points

2026-03-21T23:01:59.9633333+00:00

Thanks David, the system restore worked and I'm now in windows. Have a good day!

Answer 1

David-M 126K Independent Advisor

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

Try starting Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-startup-settings-1af6ec8c-4d4a-4b23-adb7-e76eef0b847f

At the Startup settings step, press 5 or F5 to start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.

If Windows starts in Safe Mode with Networking, see if your computer created minidump files.

These files are in C:\Windows\Minidump.

(If you don't have a Minidump folder, check if it is in the plural Minidumps.)

Copy any files you have to your desktop and store them in a ZIP file. Then, upload the ZIP file to the cloud (OneDrive), choose to share it, and get the link.

Then, post the link to the ZIP file here so I can have a look.

Looking forward to your reply.

e e 25 Reputation points

2026-03-20T21:34:17.2233333+00:00

Hi David, I tried Safe Mode with Networking but I still get BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO. I have since fully decrypted and disabled BitLocker on my drive. I checked the registry and the SYSTEM hive exists and is 27MB so it appears intact. I tried deleting SYSTEM.LOG1 and SYSTEM.LOG2 but it still crashes. The RegBack folder exists but I haven't checked its contents yet. I have an ASUS laptop with Windows 11 and this all started after KB5079473 installed mid-shutdown when my laptop turned itself off during the update. I also disabled automatic restart on failure and got the exact error code: BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO (0x74). This specifically means the SYSTEM registry hive is failing to load during boot. I checked C:\Windows\repair but the folder doesn't exist, and RegBack is empty, so there are no backup registry hives available to restore from. The SYSTEM hive file itself exists and is 27MB but appears to be corrupted or incompatible. I've also found 2 minidump files in C:\Windows\Minidump totalling around 1.7MB. I have transferred it to a USB drive, and It can be found at: https://1drv.ms/u/c/a233153a1698b94c/IQC1QKSiETHBQrQNiG1cGU5MAeIgq5KOvpVvRT5HaCmYmQI?e=CTIQbf