"It looks like Windows didn't load properly." And when I tried to reset my PC, it says it was unable to reset?

Question

Yesterday morning, out of nowhere, when I booted up my computer, it powered on but only to a black, blank screen. After manually restarting at least 3 times, I eventually got a blue Windows screen to appear that says "It looks like Windows didn't load properly." I ran a system restore, and it loaded the computer back to around 3 PM, the day before. My computer was then able to load normally and log me into my desktop. However, it still wasn't working properly.

I cannot type anything into "type here to search" on the taskbar. I cannot copy new files onto my external SSD drive, although I was able to get Windows to create a File History backup, in case I couldn't get back to that point again. And certain programs won't open, because I don't have the right permissions, even though I'm literally the administrator account.

I went to bed after the backup finished last night, and woke up this morning to the same black screens, resets, and blue screen. I decided to opt to reset my PC, but keep my files, and it went most of the way through the process before it started undoing the changes and telling me that it couldn't be reset. It shut my computer off and restarted itself, and it let me log in to my computer as usual again. Except of course, I still can't use the search from the task bar, still can't copy new files, etc. etc.

I've had very little luck with my Internet searches, but I ran the Command Prompt as an administrator and ran an SFC.exe scan, which said:

"Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
For online repairs, details are included in the CBS log file located at
windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For offline
repairs, details are included in the log file provided by the /OFFLOGFILE flag."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r1eyia9bw9tppzc/CBS.log?dl=0

That is the link to the CBS.log file that it generated. It definitely says "corrupt" and "error" in there several times. I'm just not tech-savvy enough to understand what's going on or what to do.

If anyone has any advice to offer me, please let me know. I will totally wipe my computer if need be, I have the backup and most of the files I really care about on OneDrive or on my SSD. I just want my computer to work normally again.

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

If reset save files functions properly it will save files and reinstall Windows.
Drivers and applications need to be reinstalled.
Browser bookmarks are lost.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4130-reset-windows-10-a.html

A very similar result can be obtained by performing a custom install.
A custom install is performed by using a bootable Windows 10 iso.
The files are saved to Windows.old.
A fresh version of Windows is installed.
Drivers and Applications must be reinstalled.
Browser bookmarks are lost.
Important files from Windows.old are restored.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/120352-custom-install-windows-10-a.html
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/148005-how-restore-files-windows-old-folder-windows-10-a.html

If you want to manually backup files that can be performed followed by a clean install.
This is the best method if there were any partition issues.
Also this method is useful if you had planned to switch from BIOS Legacy to UEFI.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

If you can boot into Windows then you may be able to perform a Windows refresh.
This is similar to a reset save files but it should install the latest version of Windows.
Drivers and bookmarks need to be reinstalled.
If you can boot into Windows you may also be able to save bookmarks from browsers.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4090-refresh-windows-10-a.html

If you can boot into Windows then you may be able to perform an in place upgrade repair.
This method allows files, drivers, and applications to be saved.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

If you want to troubleshoot that may consume a lot of time.
Also there is no guarantee that it will have the optimal result like a reset save files, custom install, clean install, or Windows refresh.

An additional option is to use pay software (typically < $100) to move files and applications.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/recovery-options-in-windows-31ce2444-7de3-818c-d626-e3b5a3024da5

Please note that many methods to repair Windows at some time typically require administrative privileges or passwords.

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Answer 2

Hello @Sarah Prevost

the fastest way would be:

1st: Attempt a Windows Image repair: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/repair-a-windows-image?view=windows-11 (you may need couple of runs until it comes clean of errors)

2nd: Perform a reinstallation of Windows, with installation media:
Option 1 : Download Media creation tool and create a bootable drive to install the system
Option 2 : Download ISO or VHD file for Windows image, mount the image as a drive (right click the file and select Mount). Then go to your new drive in File Explorer (probably E: or F:) and run the Setup file as Administrator.

You can find files for the installation and Media Creation tool in the link below after selecting your operating system:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download

Hope this helps with your query,

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--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

Answer 3

Just checking if there's any progress or updates?

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 4

Please post the link from the above post that was used.

After any repair it's the general use of the computer that determines whether it's is or is not optimal.

The in place upgrade repair is a less aggressive repair than a reset save files or custom install.

The former allows applications and drivers to remain.

The later requires the reinstallation of applications and drivers and as such can fix more registry related problems.

Post the results for these administrative command prompt commands:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
chkdsk /scan

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Answer 5

Which of the links in the prior post was used?

If you can boot into Windows then you may be able to perform an in place upgrade repair.
This method allows files, drivers, and applications to be saved.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

Run:
Hard Drive Tune: (free or trial version)
https://www.hdtune.com/
Post images or share links for results on these tabs:
a) Health
b) Benchmark
c) Full error scan

(the full error scan can run overnight)

Run these Microsoft troubleshooters:

Administrative command prompt:

msdt.exe -id SearchDiagnostic

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/automatically-diagnose-and-repair-windows-file-and-folder-problems-8ca2261a-eb4b-bda1-232c-d88b972438cd

If the above troubleshooters do not fix the underlying problems then plan a Windows refresh or reset save files.
These will install new copies of Windows 10 and save files.
Drivers and Applications need to be reinstalled.

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Please remember to vote and to mark the replies as answers if they help.

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