Start up problems

Question

After downloading resent update I have been experiencing longer and longer start up times. After ACER has started the screen goes blank. The only thing working is the curser arrow. The screen can be blank for close on 10 minutes before the logon picture and sign in comes on. This is longer than my computer took running windows95.

Answer 1

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot up normally.

1

If there is an option to uninstall the latest update, that will be the best option.

2

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Repair

See if Windows startup can repair itself

3

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

Answer 2

The symptoms match a blank/black screen with cursor and very long delay between startup and the sign-in screen. There are a few likely causes and corresponding fixes based on known Windows issues.

1. Try basic blank-screen recovery steps
   1. Make sure the device is powered and any external monitor is firmly connected and turned on.
   2. When the screen is blank, press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B once to reset the graphics driver. The screen should briefly flicker if this works.
   3. Press Windows + P, then press P again and Enter to cycle display modes in case Windows is sending output to the wrong display.
   4. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del. If the security screen appears, open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list, right‑click it, and choose Restart.
   5. If the system is completely stuck, hold the power button for about 20 seconds to force a shutdown, then power it back on.
2. Check for known black-screen issues after updates A recent update can cause a black screen for several minutes on some OEM devices after restart. On affected systems, the screen stays black for 5–10 minutes after a Microsoft Store app update or Windows restart, then eventually shows the sign-in screen. For such cases, install the specific Windows update that fixes conflicts with the app readiness service. On Windows 10 version 1703 this is distributed via Windows Update and also available as a standalone package from the Microsoft Update Catalog (KB4043292). On newer builds, ensure all pending Windows Updates are installed, as similar fixes are delivered through regular cumulative updates.
3. Address slow logon caused by desktop shortcuts (if using many shortcuts) If the delay happens specifically between entering credentials and seeing the desktop, and Explorer.exe shows high CPU, the cause can be a large number of desktop shortcuts in the user profile. Windows repeatedly processes a registry key under: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UFH\SHC To work around this in managed or advanced setups:
   • Configure a logon script (or Group Policy Preferences) that deletes this key at each logon.
   • Be aware this causes Start menu items to appear as “new” for users.
4. If the issue persists
   • If the blank screen appears after every restart and lasts 5–10 minutes, ensure all critical updates are installed and then follow the general guidance for Troubleshoot black screen or blank screen errors, which covers driver issues, incomplete updates, and boot configuration problems.

---

References:

• Troubleshooting blank screens in Windows
• Black screen when Windows 10 restarts after a Windows update on some OEM factory-imaged devices
• Slow logon with a blank screen in Windows
• Windows 8 restarts to a blank screen after a standard shutdown or hibernation