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Black Screen (No Windows UI) with only the Mouse Cursor

SkyeFPS 0 Reputation points
2025-09-04T09:23:21.9533333+00:00

So here's my dilema,
3 Year old PC running Windows 10, reset the whole thing 2 days ago, left it overnight to download 'The Finals' off steam. Woke up in the morning to "The Blue Screen of Death", let it report and do its thing. PC Restarted but said there was an Update, let that do its thing as well. Now here where the problems start, I get to the login page and login as usual, but it takes exact 15seconds to do so. That longer than the usual 2-5 second login time and when it does login, I'm met with a blank, black screen. I'm trying to use the start menu, nothing. Using all the shortcuts i know, nothing. No response. But the mouse moves, just can't use the right click menu or anything else.

I've been trying the past 24 Hours to figure out whats going on, trying evey single fix i can find. Nothing has worked so far for some reason or the other.

1. Running Safe Mode
Tried running Safe Mode from CTRL + ALT + DEL > Shift+Click on Restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Press 4 .

Now the problem here is that when I try to do this it asked me to enter my Password for the Administrator Account (I've only got my Account on this and its set up with a Pin to Login on the main Login Screen, I've not chaged the password in a while and I use that password for most things). I do that an it says "Incorrect Password". Of course, to be sure I try using older passwords and maybe passwords that I'd use on other accounts. But nope, nothing.

I go back and I try the forgot password thing, but that just makes me restart the PC which takes me right back to the beginning. Useless.

2. Startup Repair
Go onto this by turn on the PC and shutting it off immediately after. Sent me into the menu. But when I tried doing this, it gave me two different sets of issues.

The first time I tried this it said that it could'nt fix it.
The second time I tried to do so, it sent me right back into that page that kept denying my password.

3. Reset PC
I've tried resetting my PC again, but this time around, I tried doing a full wipe (All Files). It went up to 37% and then stopped. "There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC. No changes were made". Ofcourse.

I tried again, that didnt work, just gave me the same error each time i tried.

4. Use a USB to Re-Install Windows / Update to Windows 11
Tried this, got the following.

  • Asked for Login Password. again.
  • Asked for Product Code (I didnt have the code sheet with me, its been 3 years and I dont remember where that sheet was kept).
  • Blue Screen of Doom.

At this point, I've tried almost everything on the internet and nothing seems to be working cause Windows wont accept my password for the Safe Mode and wont let me Reset the PC.

I've tried to create a new account on the PC to hopefully bypass the Password thing but it just says explorer.exe Class not Registred .

I did the sfc /scannow > DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth but that didnt do much either.
I'd open Windows Settings, but that wont start cause it's "Not Found". Honestly feels like I dont have windows installed but everythign Windows is there?

I don't know. At this point any help would be appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

4 answers

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  1. Damian Reiter 0 Reputation points
    2026-03-03T10:29:29.2133333+00:00

    I have a solution for you since i have got the same problem i tried everything and nothing worked but i eventually found a solution. 1. CTRL + ALT + DEL to bring up task manager then click on file at the top and click run new task. 2. write “control” into the window press enter and in the control pannel search for recovery. start the recovery and thats the fix.😊🙌 Also make sure to turn off auto updates since they can make this bug come back. And i heavily recommend you back up your files and reinstall windows.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. April P 5,425 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-04T14:15:17.51+00:00

    Hi SkyeFPS,

    This is April, I'll be happy to assist you. Sorry to hear that you're having issue with Windows 10 PC. Let me help you out.

    Based on the description you provided, your Windows 10 PC boots to a black screen after login, with the only mouse cursor visible. Safe mode and Recovery option fail due to password issues and attempts to reset or reinstall Windows don't work. You've tried nearly everything, but the system shell seems broken and unusable.

    The system is likely suffering from deeper system issue such as corrupted system files or registry entries.

    Here's a structured approach to recover the system, bypassing the broken UI and recovery options:

    1. Force Explorer to Start via Task Manager You may have tried this already, but here's the precise method:
      • Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager
      • Go to File > Run new task
      • Type: explore.exe and check Create this task with administrative privileges.
      If this doesn't bring up the desktop, proceed to the next step.
    2. Disable AppReadiness Service This service cause post-login black screens.
      • In Task Manager > File > Run new task: services.msc
      • Find AppReadiness, double-click it
      • Set Startup type to Disabled, click Apply, then reboot the system
    3. Create a new User account via Command Prompt If your profile is corrupted, a new one might bypass the issue.
      • In Task Manager > open new task and run cmd
      • Then type the following commands: net user NewUserName NewPassword /add net localgroup administrators NewUserName /add
      • Reboot and login with new user account If successful, you can transfer your files from the old profile.
    4. Perform Offline Windows Reinstall (No Password Required) If nothing else works, do a clean install while avoiding the broken login and recovery system:

    If the issue continues, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.

    We’re here to help, and we appreciate your continued trust in us.

    Warm Regards,

    April P.

    Independent Advisor

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  3. BrennDead 0 Reputation points
    2026-03-22T15:49:05.0033333+00:00

    What I ended up doing was pressing: Ctrl + Alt + Delete -> Task Manager -> File -> Run New Task -> Enter: cmd.exe

    Now that you have a command prompt, you need to get into elevated command prompt to fix issues:

    Type in cmd: powershell -Command "Start-Process cmd -Verb RunAs"

    You should now be in elevated command prompt. You have two options... 1.) You can try and run sfc /scannow etc... 2.) Upgrade to Windows 11 and it will reinstall all the broken files which also keeps your data. (Also I strongly recommend upgrading to windows 11 since win10 is no longer receiving security updates/bug fixes like this one)

    I was able to install windows 11 by:

    Type in elevated cmd prompt: msedge

    In MS Edge, navigate to Windows 11 on Microsofts website and download the Installation Assistant. Run that and just follow the prompts.

    I hope this helps someone in the future.

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  4. SkyeFPS 0 Reputation points
    2025-09-04T09:24:33.9033333+00:00

    Edit: I've been using Task Manager to Access everything via the Run New Task and using CMD to basically jury rig a "UI". On Chrome right now on THIS broken PC because of course Chrome works.

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