Summary. When you use the Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to troubleshoot startup issues, first try the Startup Repair option in the System Recovery Options dialog box. If this does not resolve the issue, or if you have to manually troubleshoot additional issues, use the Bootrec.exe tool.

Connect a USB drive to your PC, select it, and then select Next. Select Create. Many files need to be copied to the recovery drive, so this might take a while. If you ever need to use the recovery drive to reinstall Windows 11 on your PC, see Recovery options in Windows for further instructions.

Windows 10. Go to Start , select the Power button, and then select Restart . Select the Start button, then Power > Restart.

Close Task Manager. On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select OK. When you restart the computer, it will be in a clean boot environment. Follow troubleshooting steps to install, uninstall, or run your application. Your computer might temporarily lose some functionality while in a clean boot environment.

Reset your PC. Use the Startup Repair function. Use installation media to reinstall Windows 11. Use installation media to restore your PC. Use a recovery drive to restore or recover your PC. Go back to your previous version of Windows. Restore from a system restore point. Learn about the recovery options in Windows.

Restart your computer using the computer's power button. When prompted, press any key, and then follow the instructions that appear. On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Next.

If the steps above don't work, you may need to reinstall Windows. For more info, see Windows 10 recovery options. Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista.

Windows 11 Windows 10. To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery . Next to Reset this PC , select Reset PC. Then, select Keep my files, choose cloud or local, change your settings, and set Restore preinstalled apps? to No . Open Recovery settings.

Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Shut Down button (or the arrow next to the Lock button), and then click Restart. Do one of the following: If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears.

To create a system repair disc. To use the system repair disc. Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive. You might need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive if you want to: Install or reinstall Windows 7. Recover Windows 7 from a serious error.