Windows installation error

Question

I was attempting a factory reset on my surface go 2 and it shut down/battery died while reseting and now all i get is windows installation error how do I fix this

Answer 1

Hello, Brian Mullis.

Welcome to Microsoft Community!

I understand that you have encountered some errors in that recovery process due to the device running out of power while trying to restore factory settings on your Surface Go 2. The current manifestation is a Windows Installation Error.

Due to the error we are currently experiencing during the reset process and also, we are not in a position to operate the device at this time. To resolve this problem, I recommend that you perform a recovery installation of your Surface Go 2 directly through the recovery media. Please go through the following link to get the recovery media corresponding to your device:

Surface Recovery Image Download - Microsoft Support

(This requires the use of another Windows device and a removable media)

When positioned to select the Surface device, enter your product serial number to get the recovery media.

After you've downloaded the recovery image .zip file, follow these steps to create a recovery drive: 

1. Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port.
2. Select Start, enter recovery drive, and then select Create a recovery driveor Recovery Drive from the results. You may need to enter an admin password or confirm your choice.
3. In the User Account Control box, select Yes.
4. Clear the Back up system files to the recovery drive check box and then select Next.
5. Select your USB drive, and then select Next > Create. Some utilities need to be copied to the recovery drive, so this might take a few minutes.
6. When the recovery drive is ready, select Finish.
7. Double-click the recovery image .zip file that you previously downloaded to open it.
8. Select all the files from the recovery image folder, copy them to the USB recovery drive you created, and then select Choose to replace the files in the destination.
9. After the files have finished copying, select the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon on the taskbar, and remove your USB.

A reset returns your Surface to its factory settings. It deletes all your personal files, resets your settings, and removes all apps that you installed.

Then, boot from a USB drive to reset your Surface:

Before you begin, make sure you have access to the product keys and installation files for any desktop apps, such as Microsoft Office, that you plan to reinstall after the reset.

When you're ready, here's how to reset your Surface: 

1. Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in, and then insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port.
2. Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button.
3. When the Microsoft or Surface logo appears, release the volume-down button.
4. When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
5. Select Recover from a drive or Troubleshoot > Recover from a drive. If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of the screen.
6. Choose either Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive.
   The option to clean the drive is more secure but takes much longer. For example, if you’re recycling your Surface, you should clean the drive. If you’re keeping your Surface, you just need to remove your files.
7. Select Recover.
   Surface restarts and displays the Surface logo while the reset process continues. This can take several minutes.

Above is the process of performing recovery on a Surface device. If you experience any difficulties, please don't hesitate to let me know.

I wish you all the best.

Best Regards.

Leo.L - Microsoft Community Support Specialis