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Inaccessible Boot Drive, caused by third party driver updater program on Surface Pro 7 Windows 11

Anonymous
2022-11-30T00:56:19+00:00

Okay, I have followed a lot of guides here, Googled a lot of phrases, watched a lot of obscure youtube videos, with still no results. I need my files, since they are graduate school files including my dissertation research. The main file is backup on one drive, but I have a lot of articles that are not, and this would still set me back. Let alone big videos that never fit on my onedrive account. Ideally I would fix this, but at the very least I just want access to all files.

I have a Surface Pro 7, 1 TB hard drive, running the newest update of windows 11. 64bit I belioeve I downloaded the program called Outbyte driver to try and update all my drivers, worked for a bit, and it said it was going to update some core processes, and it created a restore point. After starting the process, my computer restarted, and I got inaccessible boot device. Here is everything I attempted, some of which were multiple times over several weeks. Most of this is today's attempts in chronological order.

Methods atttempt:

  • Created Bootable Windows 11 Flashdrive. Started boot from there. Selected repair your computer during install process. Actually trying to reinstall windows from that screen gives me an error saying I can't use installation media from a flashdrive.
  • Went to trouble shooting options and tried:
  • Did system Repair option, said couldn't repair PC.
  • uninstalled latest quality update and feature update, said there was a problem for both and it couldn't finish the attempts.
  • Tried a System Restore that Outbyte Driver installed, that did not work. Said it failed to extract a copy of the original directory from the restore point
  • At some point during all this, I tried booting in Safemode, that wouldn't work. I turned off secure boot, so now a red unlocked padlock shows up on my screen.
  • Selected some option that said to reinstall windows but keep files, tried that and it did not work.
  • Went to troubleshooting, command prompt. Had to repeatedly use my bitlocker code
  1. uninstall pending updates: Checked using command prompt, no pending updates.
  2. SFC scan now: on x: found corrupt files, fixed them. Restarted computer, no luck. Tried SFC scan again, said it found more corrupt files. Did this like 20 times, each time it said it found corrupt files and fixed them. Still did not work. Also switched to c: which is my main drive, tried that like 20 times and restarted after each attempt. It kept saying it found errors and fixed them, to restart them but nothing.
  3. I tried running dism /online /Cleanup-Image, /ScanHealth, and /CheckHealth but both said those options are unknown.
  4. Tried bootrec fixmbr, it said it completed successfully
  5. Bootrec fixboot, error, acces is denied. I also tried a way to override this, following some other random guide and giving my bootable partition a drive number, and a few things, that didn't work.
  6. Bootrec scanos, there is 0 copies of windows installation.
  7. Bootyrec rebuild bcd, 0 copies of windows installation.
  8. Switched to chkdsk /r on x:, said it couldn't do it. Switched to c:, did chkdsk. Stage 1 found no bad files. Don't understand stages 2 or 3. Stage 4 found no bad sectors. I've run this like 10 times, the first time it found errors, hasn't found errors since.
  9. Things involving rebuild bcd, I don't really remember. No success.
  10. Did somthing with bitlocker so I don't need to enter the long code anymore.
  11. I tried searching for a registry backup, but that folder is empty apparently.
  • The closest success I've had outside of this, I downloaded a Ubuntu ISO on a flashdrive, booted from that flashdrive and chose the temporary options instead of installing over everything. Ubuntu loaded, and I could see my hard drive, it shows up as a terabyte. A lot of my folderes are there, and I could even open some items, such as stuff in my download folder from Microsoft Edge, so the files are still there! I tried downloading the program Restoro, but I get an error while loading the archive.

So that is officially where I am at. Is there a way to fix my computer that also keeps my files. The files are clearly there, though it is really confusing the organization they are when viewing from Ubuntu, and some things like video that failed to upload to Onedrive, I cannot see. What could be some other options to fix the issue I am facing.

Thank you for your time.

***Moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Performance and system failures***

Surface | Surface Pro | Performance and maintenance

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-12-02T19:42:55+00:00

    Hi DRockin,

    Thank you for the response and I'm sorry to hear that the files could not be accessed since the File Sharing was set to Private initially. We do not have a way to change the file sharing setting through the command prompt and outside Windows environment. For this case, we can try doing a Windows reinstallation using a bootable media then retrieve the files after through the Windows.old folder. However, this is not a 100% file recovery guaranteed. If you'd like to try here are the steps below:

    Create a bootable USB with Windows 10 using a USB flash drive (8GB minimum)

    Go to Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com) and follow the steps to create a bootable device using Media Creation Tool

    Once the bootable media is created, boot the device from the USB following these steps:

    1. Make sure your Surface device is turned off and plugged in
    2. Insert the bootable USB you created earlier using the media creation tool.
    3. Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button.
    4. Continue holding the volume-down button until the Surface or Windows logo appears on the screen.
    5. You should now see the Windows Setup screen.

    Turn off the BitLocker encryption through Command Prompt:

    1. Select your language preferences, and click on Next
    2. On the bottom left of the next screen, click Repair your computer
    3. Choose Troubleshoot > and then choose Command Prompt
    4. Enter the BitLocker Recovery key if prompted. If not prompted, this means that BitLocker encryption is disabled. Close the window, choose Turn Off Your PC then Boot back to the USB and proceed to steps listed in BitLocker Off
    5. After entering the Recovery Key, the Command Prompt window will launch. Type the following command and press Enter to check on the Device's BitLocker status: manage-bde -status C: The conversion status will indicate: Fully Encrypted or Used Space Only Encrypted. This is confirmation that BitLocker is ON
    6. To unlock the drive, in the same command prompt window type the following command and press Enter: manage-bde -off C:
    7. In Five-minute intervals, type manage-bde -status C: in command prompt to check on decryption status. The goal is to decrease the Percentage Encrypted to 0%.
    8. Once complete, close the command prompt window and Choose Turn Off Your PC then Boot back to the USB and follow steps listed in BitLocker Off

    BitLocker OFF

    1. Follow the boot sequence from Steps 1 - 5
    2. Accept the license terms and click next
    3. When prompted for installation type; Select custom
    4. Then Select the Primary type partition (current Local Disk with previous Windows installation. Usually with higher size capacity), then click Next Warning: DO NOT FORMAT OR DELETE ANY PARTITION
    5. A set-up dialog box will display the following warning message. Click OK. This folder will contain the files you wish to recover from the previous Windows system. ‘If the partition you’ve chosen contains files from a previous Windows Installation, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access Windows.old, but you won’t be able to use your previous version of Windows.’
    6. Continue with windows set up and complete the Out of Box Experience (OOBE), where you get to configure detailed settings in Windows; including creating a user account, privacy, and other PC settings
    7. Once your system has finished setting up, Log in and ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi.
    8. Navigate to the Surface device drivers and firmware page and download and install the new drivers for the device. You may locate device information in select Start > Settings > System > About, then look under Windows Specifications to find your operating system version and OS build number.
    9. After installing the driver package, check for additional windows updates, install and restart your computer
    10. Log in, and on desktop, [ Press Windows key + X and select File Explorer] or open it manually from the taskbar
    11. Navigate to the customer's personal files located under: C:\Windows.old\Users\your_name

    Again, this is not guaranteed for file recovery, and I recommend that you also contact our live support for assistance in doing these steps. You may contact them through these steps:

    1. Go tohttps://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=10354&d=hvPq43orWVV6MIb5q8LX0B54LSw52WsgpnPasslMog&u=https%3a%2f%2fnam06%2esafelinks%2eprotection%2eoutlook%2ecom%2f%3furl%3dhttps%253A%252F%252Fsupport%2emicrosoft%2ecom%252Fcontactus%26data%3d05%257C01%257Cssri%2540microsoft%2ecom%257C54647b58c8ce44e7de8508dac19671af%257C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%257C1%257C0%257C638035149195769168%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3dc0IcXJ%252FClUZITEDrQL%252BRpSFlV8aXwkndcr%252F7XAvXSJs%253D%26reserved%3d0Contact Us - Microsoft Supporthttps://scanmail.trustwave.com/?c=10354&d=hvPq43orWVV6MIb5q8LX0B54LSw52WsgpnPasslMog&u=https%3a%2f%2fnam06%2esafelinks%2eprotection%2eoutlook%2ecom%2f%3furl%3dhttps%253A%252F%252Fsupport%2emicrosoft%2ecom%252Fcontactus%26data%3d05%257C01%257Cssri%2540microsoft%2ecom%257C54647b58c8ce44e7de8508dac19671af%257C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%257C1%257C0%257C638035149195769168%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3dc0IcXJ%252FClUZITEDrQL%252BRpSFlV8aXwkndcr%252F7XAvXSJs%253D%26reserved%3d0 and select Devices.
    2. Choose your preferred support method.
    3. Type in the problem you need help with.
    4. Look at any available solutions offered and select Contact Support.

    Kind regards,

    Marrion

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-12-07T16:31:20+00:00

    Hello, this worked! I was able to restore my windows save, Windows now works, and I was able to locate files in Windows.Old file, I clicked a few files that I could not access before, and it was able to open.

    Thank you!

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-12-06T18:19:26+00:00

    Hi DRockin,

    We haven't heard from you in 72 hours, so we assume that your issue has already been addressed. We will not be monitoring this thread moving forward so, if you need further assistance, please create a new thread to discuss these concerns by clicking this link: Create a new question or start a discussion (microsoft.com)

    Thank you for understanding. 

    Kind regards,

    Marrion

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-11-30T21:25:54+00:00

    You mentioned that you created a bootable Windows 11 flash drive, did you use the Surface Recovery Image available here Surface Recovery Image Download - Microsoft Support or using the Windows 11 ISO file (Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com))?

    I used the Windows 11 file, but it wasn't the ISO, it was the bootable media device, as per instructions in some other guide.

    I have found all the files and was able to transfer some files to a brand-new flash drive, but there are some permission errors. There are files in my OneDrive folder that are not backed up due to reaching my 5GB limit. I can see the files in the notepad file explorer, and they are for sure not in OneDrive when I access the same folder while on a different computer. The folders are set to private, and every file-sharing permission setting that I could not find doesn't seem to allow the command prompt notepad explorer to access them. Regarding the share link option, I can't access the internet while on Notepad, the share with certain people didn't work because I don't think I am fully signed in yet. Is there an option to just make sharing public or anything similar to that? The files are clearly there, but the command prompt/notepad won't let me access them.

    Edit: shows error 0x80070780 file cannot be accessed

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-30T15:11:04+00:00

    Hi DRockin,

    Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community. I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your Surface Pro 7 and I understand that it is really important for us to be able to retrieve the files that you have on the device.

    You mentioned that you created a bootable Windows 11 flash drive, did you use the Surface Recovery Image available here Surface Recovery Image Download - Microsoft Support or using the Windows 11 ISO file (Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com))?

    Since we are unable to boot the device back to its Windows Environment, let us try instead retrieving your files from the drive through the Command Prompt and Notepad. Please try these steps below:

    First, please connect an empty USB flash drive

    On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot

    Select Advanced options then click Command Prompt

    Enter your BitLocker Recovery key if prompted

    On the Command Prompt window, make sure that it is in C:

    Type notepad then hit Enter

    The notepad app should open

    Click on File then select Open

    A file Explorer window should appear with the C drive of the device and the USB Flash drive

    Select the C drive and navigate to the files you need to retrieve

    Once you see the files, right-click on it then select Send to and choose the USB flash drive

    After sending all the files you need to the flash drive, close the application then turn off the device before disconnecting the flash drive

    Connect the flash drive to another device and check if you have the all the files needed

    Let me know how it goes and if you were able to retrieve all files needed. If yes, we'll then proceed in a clean installation of Windows on the device using the Surface Recovery Image through USB Recovery. This option will reimage the entire device and reload Windows including the drivers and firmware. It is the most complete form of Reset and it will wipe out everything on the device. You will need also a 16GB/32GB of flash drive that must be formatted into FAT32 prior to downloading the Recovery Image. If you like to try, you can follow the steps provided below:

    How to Download, Create and Use a USB recovery drive

    To download the Recovery Image:

    • You'll another working device running on Windows.
    1. Visit the page toDownload the recovery image for your Surface
    2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account
    3. From the list of Surface devices available, select the device that you need a recovery image for
      Please note that while you will only be presented with devices that are currently registered on your account, you will also be presented with the option to get an image for a different type of device. If you try to use this option, you will be prompted to enter the serial number for that device
    4. Download the recovery image using the button on the page
    5. When the download bar pops up at the bottom of your screen, save the file in a location you will be able to find it.

     Format USB Drive:

    • Note: Formatting a recovery drive will erase anything that is already stored on your USB drive. Make sure to transfer any important data from your USB drive to another storage device before using it to create a Surface USB recovery drive.
    1. Insert your USB drive into the USB port of your PC.
    2. From the desktop, open File Explorer
    3. Tap and hold or right-click on the USB drive and choose Format
    4. Select FAT32 as the file system and enter a Volume label to name the USB drive, such as RECOVERY, and then tap or click Start
    5. Tap or click OK to erase the contents of the USB drive
    6. Tap or click OK when the format is complete

    Create a recovery drive:

    1. On your Surface or PC, open recovery image that you downloaded by double-clicking it or right click then select Extract and then Extract all.
    2. Select the USB drive you formatted earlier for the location and click Extract.

    Use a USB recovery drive to reset your Surface:

    1. Shutdown the Surface
    2. Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port
    3. Press and hold the volume-down (-) rocker
    4. Press and release the power button
    5. When the Surface logo appears, release the volume-down (-) rocker
    6. Surface will start the recovery software on the USB recovery drive
    7. When prompted, choose your language options and keyboard layout
    8. Select Troubleshoot
    9. Select Recover from a Drive. Choose Remove Everything and Fully Clean the Drive. Recovering this PC.
    10. If prompted, select Repartition the drives
    11. If prompted for BitLocker Key, tap Skip this Drive

    Hope this helps.

    Kind regards,

    Marrion

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