Windows 10 F12 start up boot menu.

Question

I know windows 10 is old and obsolete just upgrade. It started with my dual screen getting gone somehow. I upgraded the drivers pnp monitor and non pnp monitor but when you have the vga splitter that basically a larger USB it won't split. Windows button and p to extend doesnt do anything.

That started this conundrum. I ran and read everything that seemed relevant to this snafu. Next thing the company wont boot up without pressing F12 and choosing the on that gets it to windows. Turned it on today and at the Dell screen, it ran me through that diagnosing your pc/fixing your pc loop. 3 handsets do nothing. Will not boot up or get close to windows. Im stuck in F12. I can't reset it because I have no idea what or how to find that password. No command prompt works, reset, hold shift and restart. Everything that has my account needs the password. I reset my password but since I can't get into windows i don't think it came across to the computer 🤔. Bottom line, will not boot up, windows is nonexistent, hard resets non effective, reset without password doesnt work. Anyways. Would downloading windows 10, cause that thing won't run 11, he worth trying to a USB? Or should I set just set it outside and use it for target practice 🤔 cheers to anyone who read this. Any suggestions email <moderator note: PII removed> Thank You

Answer 1

Hello Jeffrey81, welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

At this point, creating Windows 10 installation media is absolutely worth doing and is the most reliable way forward. What you are seeing now usually means Windows can no longer repair itself from the built‑in recovery environment, and that is expected behavior in this state.

Before reinstalling anything, if possible, do one more check from another working device:

• Sign in to your Microsoft account and visit https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey
• Look for a 48‑digit BitLocker / device encryption recovery key associated with this PC
• If a recovery key is listed, enter it when the PC asks for it. This can unlock recovery options or allow Windows to proceed.

If there is no recovery key, or entering it does not help, continue with installation media:

• From another PC, download Windows 10 and create a USB installer using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
• Boot the affected PC from the USB (on Dell systems, press F12 at power‑on)
• Choose Repair your computer first and try Startup Repair

If the system keeps returning to the F12 menu or does not boot automatically:

• Press F2 at the Dell logo to enter BIOS
• Make sure Windows Boot Manager is set first in the boot order

If repair options still fail, the final supported solution is a clean install of Windows 10 from the USB. This does not require the old Windows password, but personal data will be lost unless it can be backed up first using a recovery key.

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