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blank screen with curser only on startup

Anonymous
2025-04-30T12:28:32+00:00

I accidentally stopped the Windows File Explorer service via Task Manager. After restarting the system, the computer boots to a black screen with a movable cursor before the login screen appears. I never get to the login screen or desktop.

Safe Mode works normally — both my main account and a test account created via Command Prompt log in fine there.

What I’ve Done So Far:

  • Checked the Shell registry key to confirm it’s still set to explorer.exe. It was.
  • Ran SFC and DISM scans in Safe Mode. No issues found.
  • Disabled startup programs through msconfig and the registry (under both HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE). No change.
  • Attempted in-place upgrades and repair installs using Media Creation Tool for Windows 10:
    • No matter the machine, it always downloads build 19041, while my system is on 19045.5737.
    • Mounting and running setup in Safe Mode either failed to launch or gave compatibility errors.
  • Tried Reset This PC (keep my files) but backed out after learning it would remove all installed applications, some of which I don’t have installers for.
  • Created a bootable USB with Rufus for Windows 11, bypassing Secure Boot, TPM, RAM, and Microsoft Account requirements.
    • I have not installed this yet due to concern it could make things worse or render applications unusable.
  • Checked system specs:
    • Dell OptiPlex 7050
    • 8GB RAM
    • TPM 2.0 confirmed
  • Verified ISO versions by downloading and inspecting WIM index listings with DISM. Every Windows 10 ISO obtained so far is 19041, not 19045.

Current Status:

  • Safe Mode works fine.
  • Normal boot results in a black screen with cursor before login.
  • I have a working Windows 11 bootable USB prepared with Rufus but haven’t run the install yet.

What I Need Help With:

Is there any safe way to perform an in-place repair or upgrade for Windows 10 build 19045 without a clean install?

Can a Windows 11 upgrade via bootable USB preserve both files and applications from a system in this state?

Is there a legitimate, current source for a Windows 10 22H2 (19045) ISO I can use for a repair install?

If a clean install becomes the only option, is there any realistic way to preserve installed applications or migrate them effectively?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-05-05T14:39:17+00:00

    Hi Zakary Sholtz

    I meant that this is for the Windows 10 ISO file.

    You can actually download the ISO file.

    When you install the mediacreatool22H2 then it on the What do you want to do page, select Create Installation media then select ISO file, save it to your desktop or downloads folder.

    Then run the ISO file once downloaded.

    Under that DVD drive, you will find a file named setup.exe. Double click on it to open the file.

    Click Yes in the User Account Control confirmation prompt.

     Under Install Windows 10, click on Change how Setup download updates.

    Select Not right now > Accept > Wait then click on Install.

    Please let me know if there is an error when you perform Repair in-place upgrade for Windows 10 22H2.

    Best Regards,

    Lonex P.

    Microsoft Moderator

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-01T13:16:03+00:00

    Thank you for your reply.

    I am aware of that process; however, I've discovered that Windows 11 isn't an option. The program I need to save is only compatible with Windows 10. I was able to discover this site: category:w10-22h2 - Browse known builds - UUP dump that builds an ISO of any version. I'm hoping that by building a version higher than the 19045 that I am using, it will be successful in the in-place repair.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-30T21:49:52+00:00

    Hi Zakary Sholtz

    Thank you for your reply.

    You can actually download the ISO file.

    When you install the mediacreatool22H2 then it on the What do you want to do page, select Create Installation media then select ISO file, save it to your desktop or downloads folder.

    Then run the ISO file once downloaded.

    Under that DVD drive, you will find a file named setup.exe. Double click on it to open the file.

    Click Yes in the User Account Control confirmation prompt.

     Under Install Windows 11, click on Change how Setup download updates.

    Select Not right now > Accept > Wait then click on Install.

    Best Regards,

    Lonex P.

    Microsoft Moderator

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-30T19:26:18+00:00

    > Force Start Explorer.exe Manually

    Since stopping Windows Explorer might have disrupted startup behavior, try launching it manually:

    • I managed to remote into the powershell only via endpoint central and ran Get-Process explorer Handles NPM(K) PM(K) WS(K) CPU(s) Id SI ProcessName

    2300 84 75548 190040 15.41 7272 2 explorer

    • This tells me that explorer.exe is running but for some reason it is still a blank screen with a movable curser.

    > Check for Corrupt User Profile Issues

    Since Safe Mode works but normal boot fails:

    • I'm not sure I understand what you mean here. Safe mode is the only way I can see or access any user account, and they all function normally while in this mode. Normal boot doesn't necessarily "fail". It boots... It just boots into a blank screen with only a curser. I created an admin test account already. Both operate the same.

    > Use Startup Repair

    • startup repair did not work

    > Perform an In-Place Repair

    • This is what I am currently working on but need the windows 10 iso build 19045.5737 or higher, which windows installation tool will not grab, nor can it be acquired from the download button directly.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-04-30T17:43:03+00:00

    Hi Zakary Sholtz

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

    I understand the issue you are facing with your Windows 10 system. Here are some steps you can take to address the problem:

    > Force Start Explorer.exe Manually

    Since stopping Windows Explorer might have disrupted startup behavior, try launching it manually:

    Press Ctrl + Alt + Del > Task Manager.

    Click File > Run New Task, type:

    explorer.exe

    If this works temporarily, there may be deeper corruption requiring a system fix.

    > Check for Corrupt User Profile Issues

    Since Safe Mode works but normal boot fails:

    Try logging into another user account in Safe Mode.

    If another account works fine, your main profile might be corrupted.

    You can create a new administrator account via Safe Mode:

    Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

    net user NewAdmin /add

    net localgroup Administrators NewAdmin /add

    Restart and log into the new account.

    > Use Startup Repair

    Boot into Advanced Startup Options (Shift + Restart from Safe Mode).

    Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

    Let Windows attempt automatic repairs.

    > Perform an In-Place Repair Install (Without Wiping Files) This will reinstall your Operating System and will keep your files and apps. This will take some time depending on the computer performance and internet speed. You can follow the steps from this link: How to do a Windows 10 Repair Upgrade - Microsoft Community

    Please let me know if this helps,

    Best Regards,

    Lonex P.

    Microsoft Moderator

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