Windows 10 Stuck In Recovery Boot Loop

Question

My Windows 10 computer kept asking me to update. I kept postponing it because every time it tries to install this update I get an error message and it has to restore to a previous version. It takes a while but it restores to the way I last saw it. This time, though, it stealthily updated at night and tried to recover but it's stuck in a boot loop. I can't get it into safe mode but I can get it into the BIOS boot menu thing.

I'm lost as to what to do. I don't want to lose all my data and I don't want to buy a product key but I guess both are better than not having a computer. Any help would be great.

Thanks friends.

Answer 1

I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

1. Try whichever method works here to get into Advanced Startup Options to Go Back to Old Version: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

If you are able to access Go Back and it fails, skip to step 3.

2. If necessary create bootable installation media to access the repair options if not accessible by any other method: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

Boot media by powering up the PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

You may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup to turn off Fast Boot if it won't allow the Boot Menu key to interrupt starting Windows: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

Choose UEFI version of media if offered, browse to second screen to Repair Your Computer link, then Advanced Troubleshoot options - to Go Back.

3. If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows.
4. If that fails you can use the booted media to do the Clean Install. This link compiles the best possible install of Windows 10 that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is a step to rescue files from the booted media if they are not scrambled: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki....

Then be sure to wipe all partitions off the drive to get it cleanest.

5. You can also run the PC's Factory Recovery from it's hotkey at boot, following the procedure for that model found in it's Manual on it's Support Downloads webpage, or by asking Google how to Factory Recover the exact make and model.

Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I'll keep working with you until it's resolved.

Answer 2

Power on and off your computer three times

On the third time, your computer will boot into the Advanced Recovery environment

Click Advanced Options

Click Troubleshoot

Click Advanced Options

Click System Restore, see if you can go back to an earlier time.

If not, boot into the recovery environment again, then try performing a startup repair.

If that does not work, boot into the recovery environment, then click 'Go back to previous version of Windows'

If that does not work.

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...](http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-do-a-custom-installation-of-windows/38adfa8c-32f8-4354-8c53-13b5f2cf7e44)

Answer 3

hmm I can't seem to get into Advanced Recovery using the hard power off 3 times, maybe I'm doing it wrong? I wait until I see the HP logo and then i hold the power button down. I'm working on setting up a usb recovery from my laptop but my laptop runs VERY slowly and is frustrating to use so I'd like to avoid using if at all possible!

Answer 4

Continue to keep us updated with your progress.

Answer 5

thanks for the help, but while trying to go back to an old version following the steps in your first link, i noticed that i didnt have the same options as displayed: mine looks like this^

but the images on the website^ show "startup repair", "startup settings" and "see more recovery options". since my computer doesn't have those options I couldn't go back or use startup repair. I ran automatic repair, and when it asked me to choose a target operating system there was a blank option, and then two "Windows 10 On volume 4" options. I tried repairing all 3, and all 3 failed.

Also, you said:

"3) If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows."

but on my computer it says resetting my PC will REMOVE all my files. I like my files and I want to keep them :)

thanks for reading (and sorry if my formatting was bad, im not good at this)