Windows 10 latest update problem (Unknown Hard Error)

Question

Windows 10 latest update problem (Unknown Hard Error)

Anonymous

Hello

I recently installed some 'important updates' for windows on a relatively new (less than a year old) gaming PC for windows 10.

To explain my problem fully I'll list what I did in chronological order and the problems I faced. Please be patient since this is going to be rather long.

I set my PC to 'update and restart' and left it for a while.

When I came back it was nearly done, it then proceeded to ask me to set my keyboard settings, I chose UK.

It then gave me a list of options (I don't recall what all of them were but I picked 'continue')

It then restarted and again asked me to choose my keyboard settings, this time I chose US (just in case it would make a difference).

This did not resolve the issue and it just kept restarting so I looked at the choices again and decided to try 'start with different operating system' I noticed that the default was set to 'windows rollback' so I changed it to windows 10 and this time it allowed me to log in and finished it's updates.

Only to find my entire desktop missing and the error: "C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop refers to a location that is unavailable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted, or that you are connected to the Internet or your network, and then try again. If it still cannot be located, the information might have been moved to a different location."

After searching for a solution it was suggested that I go to the folder where the desktop is located, unfortunately for me none of the UI was responsive. The start button didn't work at all, the only thing I managed to get working was task manager.

Frustrated, I switched of the computer to calm down. After launching it back up again it gave me a new error "Unknown Hard Error", whats more after I tried to sign in, it gave me this error again and well, was stuck trying to sign in forever.

This computer is still somewhat new and expensive so I'd really like to fix it. Thanks in advance.

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5 answers

Answer 1

Sounds like you have logged into a temporary profile. Try restarting your computer a few times. Press Control + Alt + Delete

Click Sign out

At the sign in screen, click the power button, then click Restart. Do this a few times then try signing again. If the desktop still does not show up, then you will need to create a new local user account.

Press Control + Shift + Esc

Click File > Run new task

Type: control userpasswords2

Click Add

Enter a user name

Password, confirm it, create a hint

Click Next

Click Finish

Click OK

Sign into the new account.

Open File Explorer on the Taskbar > This PC

Open the drive where Windows is installed

Open Users

Look if your old account old is there with your files

If they are, you can copy them over to the new account.

Or

Press Control + Alt + Delete

Click Task Manager

Click File > Run new task

Type: explorer.exe

Click OK

Another option is to to kill the File Explorer process completely.

Press Control + Alt + Delete

Click Task Manager

Click File > Run new task

Type: CMD

Hold down the the shift key

Click OK

Type:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

Hit Enter

Exit Command Prompt

Click File > Run new task

Type: explorer.exe

Click OK

If that does not work...

There seems to be some early adopter issues at this time with Windows 10 1803, if you can, I recommend you downgrade to your previous version until the Spring Creators Update matures with future cumulative updates.

Press Control + Alt + Delete

Click Sign out

At the Sign In screen, hold down the shift key on your keyboard while clicking the Power button on the screen

Continue to hold down the shift key while clicking Restart

Continue to hold down the shift key until the Advanced Recovery Options menu appears

Click Troubleshoot

Click Advanced options

Click Go back to the previous version of Windows

Windows Update might attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 1803 again. See instructions how to block it:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/block-windows-...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, no.

This will be your best option.

Go to a working computer, download, create a bootable copy, then perform a clean install.

	Step 1: How to download official Windows 10 ISO files 

	[http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...](http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-windows_install/how-to-download-official-windows-10-iso-files/35cde7ec-5b6f-481c-a02d-dadf465df326)



	Step 2: How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10

	[http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...](http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-10/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08)



If there are files on the drive you want to recover, see -  How to: Perform a Custom install of Windows 10

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

Answer 3

In the troubleshoot it shows the options:

System Restore [Use a restore point recorded on your PC to restore windows]

Go back to previous version

System Image Recovery [Recover Windows using a specific image file]

Startup Repair [Fix problems that keep windows from loading]

Command Prompt [Use the command prompt for advanced troubleshooting]

UEFI Firmware Settings [Change settings in your PC's UEFI firmware]

I attempted system restore in which case it asked me to choose an OS (Windows rollback and two instances of windows 10) all 3 of them said there was no restore point, I simply must have neglected to make one.

Is there another way to reset? Perhaps through the cmd prompt?

Answer 4

Anonymous

Click Troubleshoot then proceed with a Reset.

Click Reset this PC

Click Keep my files

Choose your account

Enter your password

Click Continue

Click Reset

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Answer 5

Hi, I truly appreciate the effort you've taken to help me!

I switched the PC on and go to the log in screen and then proceeded to restart as suggested.

To my surprise it took me back to the keyboard settings and subsequent options. Since I am here I'd like to check with you if there is anything I should do here since I have the chance.

The options are:

Continue [Exit and continue with windows rollback]

Use a device [Use a USB drive, network connection or windows recovery DVD]

Use another OS [Continue with another installed version of windows]

Troubleshoot [Reset your PC or see advanced options]

Turn off your PC

If I choose continue I expect it will encounter the restart loop again. I also think it is worth noting it has been taking much longer than usual to start up the PC.

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Windows 10 latest update problem (Unknown Hard Error)

5 answers