Reboot loop after aborting Windows Update

Question

My Windows 10 is stuck in a reboot loop after aborting Windows Update. BIOS and dual booting are still accessible (indeed I am posting this question through my Ubuntu installation), but booting Windows causes the loop. The computer will turn off several seconds after the "Press F11 to do BIOS stuff" message disappears, then reboot, where the computer will turn off and reboot again. Attempting to access the Recovery Environment has failed, as has using the power switch. I suspect that this is not a hard drive issue due to Ubuntu being accessible on the same drive.

Answer 1

I ran Chkdsk overnight and it didn't find any errors.

For winRE issues, see attached images. There are no reset or startup settings options.

Answer 2

What happens when you click on the Troubleshoot option in your second screenshot. It should not say that it has Reset available if it doesn't.

Also on the same screenshot it shows Continue button has a roll back queued. Can you choose that? Is it a version Update roll back? You may need to do that.

Answer 3

Did you say it did create a new Admin account from Command Line, but when you tried to sign in it would not - what happened?

Reset should be on the Troubleshoot Options menu, as shown in the illustrations at the top here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

Everything else possible to get WIndows 10 to start is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Answer 4

1. I cannot System restore, no restore points
2. This gives "We ran into a problem and won't be able to uninstall..." error
3. While the command line is openable, none of those commands work for A or B

c) winRE does not show a Startup Settings option

d) cannot log in, but can create account through the command line

4. As with c, there is no Reset option.
5. The bootable media I am using is the official USB stick used to install Windows for the first time.

My hard drive itself works perfectly, it just has a corrupt windows image.

The drives listed in the stripped-down Explorer accessed from Notepad are:

C: (bootable media)

D: (hard drive)

E: (WINDOWS10, I don’t know what this is)

X: (boot)

Answer 5

Hi Dudhhr. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Go to another PC to create bootable media to try repairs, do a Reset or do the gold standard Clean install. The bootable media is the only repair method that doesn't require a password, has it's own drivers, repair and installation files which often work when Windows or the other Repair Mode doesn't.

To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool follow the directions in the middle of the download page here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key given here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Repair Your Computer, then Advanced Troubleshoot Options, then:

1. Try a System Restore,
2. If that fails try Uninstall Updates,
3. Open the Command Prompt to:

a) run System File Checker: https://www.wintips.org/how-to-run-sfc-offline-...

and DISM Offline from https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/dism-offline...

b) run a full Disk Check: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

c) trigger Safe Mode with Networking (for internet) or Safe Mode following https://www.intowindows.com/boot-windows-10-in-... to roll back Updates & Drivers in Windows Update History, update your drivers from the PC/Motherboard manufacturer's website and diagnose further:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/354269/how-to-use-sa...

d) Create a new Local Admin account to replace or repair your account:

https://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/3-ways-to-c.... Sign into the new account, test it works OK, if so you can attempt to repair your old account by running a Repair Install from the new account: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows.... If not then copy your files over via C:\Users, when ready delete the old account, change the new account to your MS Account if desired.

4. If those fail then go back to Troubleshoot Options to do a Reset.
5. If that fails choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

Everything needed to get the best possible Clean Install is here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money can buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

6. If you have files that aren't backed up you can use the same bootable media to try to rescue your files using these methods: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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