ReFS.sys error

Question

Hello,

I recently restarted Windows 10 in order that my PC could carry out a update. However, after many hours and several attempts at rebooting, the computer was stuck on a black screen with a spinning spiral at the bottom of it.

I tried a third party software to troubleshoot, and it told me that Windows had failed because a "critical driver is missing or contains errors" (ReFS.sys).

Trying a Windows 10 repair disc to restore to a system image from the 5th resulted in an error.

Now when I turn on my computer, it says "Missing operating system".

What should I do next? (Thanks).

Answer 1

A. Try to boot into safe mode

Power ON your computer and as Windows / manufacturer's Logo appears, Power OFF - Repeat 3 times

Now your computer will go into Advanced Recovery Environment

Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart

Press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode (5 or F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking)

Log in once Windows starts in safe mode

Once you are able to boot into safe mode, check the integrity of the system

To startwith, you should execute these 2 steps

1. Run Built-in & Guided Walk through Windows Update troubleshooter

Built-in : Windows Key+I > Click Update & security > Click Troubleshoot > Click Windows Update > Click Run the Troubleshooter

Guided Walk though - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/...

2. Run through Windows 10 Performance and Install Integrity Checklist by Greg Carmack, MVP to make sure that your Windows installation is rightly set up and optimized. Take all recommended steps outlined there to have best experience -

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

B. Another option when you are in Advanced Options in previous step is to choose (Note - You won't lose any files in this step)

1. System Restore - This will restore your system to a point when things were working fine.

OR

2. Startup Repair - Startup Repair upgrade fixes all Windows errors and retains all files, applications and settings.

C. Last option could be Reset this PC.

In Step A > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC - Keep my files and Remove everything. Choose this carefully as most likely you would like to keep your files.

All apps will be removed and windows will be reinstalled.

Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help. I would be happy to work with you to take you though this problem.

Answer 2

You will not lose the license. The license will be picked up automatically from your computer.

Answer 3

You should do a clean install of your existing Windows 10. You can use below guide by Greg Carmack, MVP for this purpose. This is the best method to perform a clean install of Windows 10.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

If you want a very lightweight guide - Start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

I got my Windows 10 license from a upgrade to Windows 7 - will I lose my license if I do a clean install?

Answer 4

You should do a clean install of your existing Windows 10. You can use below guide by Greg Carmack, MVP for this purpose. This is the best method to perform a clean install of Windows 10.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

If you want a very lightweight guide - Start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Answer 5

E for Excel, 

I tried rebooting it as you suggested, but I do not get the Safe Mode screen. This may have worked as expected before I started getting the "Missing operating system" mesage (immediately after the manufacturer screen).

Using my Windows repair disc, the Troubleshoot->Advanced options section has: System Restore, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, Go back to the previous version, and Start-up Repair.

I backed up my PC once a week, but it seems as though only the last System Image is available to me (unless I am missing something). I previously tried restoring this, but it failed. I will try it again.

I tried Start-up Repair, but I believe it said it was unable to fix my problem.

I'm not sure how to try the other solutions with my computer as it currently is.

Thanks for your reply.

edit: I tried to extort my last System Image, but it immediately fails, giving the error "The volume does not contain a recognized file system."