How to recover devices from an unbootable state after installing the January 2018 security update

• On a working PC, go to the Microsoft software download website.

• Download the media creation tool and then run it.

• Select Create installation media for another PC.

• Choose a language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit).

• Follow the steps to create installation media, and then select Finish.

• Connect the installation media you created to your nonfunctional PC, and then turn it on.

• On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next. If you're not seeing the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer's website for info on how to change your PC's boot order, and then try again.

• Select Repair your computer.

1. Start the Windows 10 Recovery Environment.

If the device fails to start, Windows should attempt to automatically repair your device and enter the Windows 10 Recovery Environment.

If Windows will not attempt an automatic repair, you will need to use installation media to enter the Windows 10 Recovery Environment:

• On a working PC, go to the Microsoft software download website.

• Download the media creation tool and then run it.

• Select Create installation media for another PC.

• Choose a language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit).

• Follow the steps to create installation media, and then select Finish.

• Connect the installation media you created to your nonfunctional PC, and then turn it on.

• On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next. If you're not seeing the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer's website for info on how to change your PC's boot order, and then try again.

• Select Repair your computer.

1. Try using System Restore to uninstall the update:

• From the Recovery Environment screen, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and then System Restore. If a restore point is available prior to the installation of the January 2018 update, use the System Restore Wizard to restore to the earlier Restore Point.

• If a restore point does not exist, close System Restore and continue to the next step.

1. Use Command Prompt to uninstall the update:

• Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and then Command Prompt. You may be asked to enter a BitLocker Recovery Key or username/password.  If prompted for a username/password, you must enter a local administrator account.

• In the Command Prompt window, type the appropriate command from the tables below, according to which version of Windows 10 you are running, and which type of processor you have. (Note: If Windows is not stored on the C: drive, replace the C: in the command with the appropriate drive letter.) If you are not certain which version of Windows 10 or what type of processor you have, you can identify the appropriate package name to use by first running the command dism.exe /image:c:\ /Get-Packages and checking the package name from most recently installed update.

• For systems with 32-bit processors:

  Windows version	Type the following command
  Windows 10 Version 1709	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~16299.192.1.9
  Windows 10 Version 1703	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~15063.850.1.10
  Windows 10 Version 1607	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~14393.2007.1.8
  Windows 10 Version 1511	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~10586.1356.1.8
  Windows 10 Version 1507	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~10240.17738.1.1

  For systems with 64-bit processors:

  Windows version	Type the following command
  Windows 10 Version 1709	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~16299.192.1.9
  Windows 10 Version 1703	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~15063.850.1.10
  Windows 10 Version 1607	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~14393.2007.1.8
  Windows 10 Version 1511	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10586.1356.1.8
  Windows 10 Version 1507	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10240.17738.1.11

• Close the Command Prompt and click Continue to exit the Recovery Environment. Reboot to enter Windows.

Microsoft worked with AMD to resolve this issue on a small subset of older AMD processors. If you encountered this issue, once the system is restored, all necessary updates should be installed to prevent this issue from reoccurring.   For AMD device-specific information, please see this AMD Security Advisory.  Important:  To reinstall the latest security updates as soon as possible, select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, select Check for updates and install the latest updates.

1. Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment:

   • Do one of the following, depending on whether you have installation media (such as a DVD or USB flash drive):

     • If you have installation media for Windows 8.1, start your computer from the installation media. Insert the DVD or USB flash drive and restart your computer. If you see a message asking you to “Press any key to boot from DVD,” do so. If you don’t see the message, you might need to change the boot order in your computer's BIOS settings so that it first starts from the DVD or USB. When you see the Install Windows page, tap or click Repair your computer to start the Windows Recovery Environment.

     • If you don’t have installation media, use the power button to restart your computer three times. This will start the Windows Recovery Environment.

2. Try using System Restore to uninstall the update:

   • In the Windows Recovery Environment, on the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot.

   • Tap or click System Restore. If you don't see System Restore, tap or click Advanced options, and then tap or click System Restore.

   • Run the System Restore wizard. If a restore point is available prior to the installation of the January 2018 update, use the System Restore Wizard to restore to the earlier Restore Point. Once System Restore is completed, the problem should be resolved.

   • If a restore point does not exist, close System Restore and continue to the next step.

3. Use Command Prompt to uninstall the update:

   • In the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and then Command Prompt.

   • In the Command Prompt window, type one of the following commands, according to the type of processor you have, and which Windows 8.1 security update you last installed. (Note: If Windows is not stored on the C: drive, replace the C: in the command with the appropriate drive letter.) If you are not certain which update you installed or what type of processor you have, you can identify the appropriate package name to use by first running the command dism.exe /image:c:\ /Get-Packages and checking the package name from most recently installed update.

• For systems with 32-bit processors:

  Windows Update	Type the following command
  January 3, 2018 -- KB4056898	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB4056898~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.3.2.0
  January 9, 2018 -- KB4056895	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~9600.18894.1.5

• For systems with 64-bit processors:

  Windows Update	Type the following command
  January 3, 2018 -- KB4056898	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB4056898~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.3.2.0
  January 9, 2018 -- KB4056895	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~9600.18894.1.5

• Close the Command Prompt and click Continue to exit the Recovery Environment. Reboot to enter Windows.

Microsoft worked with AMD to resolve this issue on a small subset of older AMD processors. If you encountered this issue, once the system is restored, all necessary updates should be installed to prevent this issue from reoccurring. For AMD device-specific information, please see this AMD Security Advisory.  

1. Boot to the System Recovery Options menu:

   • Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17101/windows-7-system-recovery-options and follow the instructions to open the System Recovery Options menu.

2. Try running System Restore to uninstall the update:

• Once you’ve opened the System Recovery Options menu, select System Restore.

• Run the System Restore wizard. If a restore point is available prior to the installation of the January 2018 update, use the System Restore Wizard to restore to the earlier Restore Point. Once System Restore is completed, the problem should be resolved.

• If a restore point does not exist, close System Restore and continue to the next step.

1. Use Command Prompt to uninstall the update:

   • Once you’ve opened the System Recovery Options menu, select Command Prompt.

   • In the Command Prompt window, type one of the following commands, according to the type of processor you have, and which Windows 7 security update you last installed. (Note: If Windows is not stored on the C: drive, replace the C: in the command with the appropriate drive letter.) If you are not certain which update they installed or what type of processor you have, you can identify the appropriate package name to use by first running the command dism.exe /image:c:\ /Get-Packages and checking the package name from most recently installed update.

     • For systems with 32-bit processors:

       Windows Update	Type the following command
       January 3, 2018 -- KB4056897	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB4056897~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.1.1.4
       January 9, 2018 -- KB4056894	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~7601.24002.1.4

• For systems with 64-bit processors:

  Windows Update	Type the following command
  January 3, 2018 -- KB4056897	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB4056897~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.4
  January 9, 2018 -- KB4056894	dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7601.24002.1.4

• Once the DISM commands are completed, close the Command Prompt and reboot to enter Windows.

Microsoft worked with AMD to resolve this issue on a small subset of older AMD processors. If you encountered this issue, once the system is restored, all necessary updates should be installed to prevent this issue from reoccurring. For AMD device-specific information, please see this AMD Security Advisory.