The Startup Repair tool in Windows aims to automatically resolve boot-related errors. However, users often find themselves stuck in an error loop with messages like “Startup Repair Couldn’t Repair Your PC.” This guide provides detailed steps to address this common issue, offering multiple solutions ranging from file recovery to reinstalling Windows and repairing the boot sector. Here are other related guides: How to Fix the “Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed” Error While Installing an Application, What Happens if You Turn Off Your Computer During an Update, and How to Fix Black Screen Issues on Windows 11/10.
Steps to Fix ‘Startup Repair Couldn’t Repair Your PC
Recover Files & Reinstall Windows:
The most effective solution to address this issue involves recovering your files from the disk, wiping it clean, and then reinstalling Windows.
Begin by transferring your boot drive to another computer to access the files. Once that is completed, reinstall the drive back into your system. Upon completing the recovery process, use a bootable USB to access the Windows install wizard.
During the partition selection screen, you will encounter two options:
- Install Windows on the Current System Partition: You can choose to install Windows over the existing system partition. This option allows you to recover your user files later from the Windows.old folder.
- Wipe Entire Drive for a Clean Install: If you have successfully recovered your files, opt to wipe the entire drive for a fresh installation.
Following the installation, your system should boot up without any issues.
Repair Your Boot Sector:
While repairing the boot sector can be hit-or-miss, it’s worth attempting before opting for a full reinstallation. Follow these steps:
Boot from a Recovery or Windows Installation Drive and choose “Repair your computer” on the Install screen.
Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
MBR Repair (for MBR-partitioned drives):
Execute the following commands:
bootrec /FixMBRbootrec /FixBootbootrec /ScanOsbootrec /RebuildBcd
EFI Partition Repair (for GPT-partitioned drives):
In contrast to older systems, most modern setups utilize GPT-partitioned drives, which follow a distinct boot process. To address boot issues in such configurations, it becomes necessary to repair the EFI System Partition (ESP). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Open the diskpart utility and list the available disks:
diskpartlist disk
If multiple disks are listed, determine your boot drive with Windows installed based on disk sizes or the presence of an asterisk. Select it using the disk number:
sel disk 0
List the volumes on the selected disk:
list vol
Identify the ESP, typically a FAT32 volume around 100MB in size, possibly labeled as Boot or System. Select this volume using its corresponding number:
sel vol 2
Assign a drive letter to the volume for mounting purposes; in this example, the letter R is used. Then, exit the volume selection:
assign letter=R:
After assigning a letter, enter exit.
Proceed to the Boot directory of the ESP (EFI System Partition) by entering the following command:
cd /d R:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\
Execute the commands below only if the initial one results in a “The system cannot find the path specified” error:
cd /d R:\Boot\cd /d R:\ESD\Windows\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\
To backup your Boot Configuration Data (BCD), rename it:
ren BCD BCD.bak
Now, recreate the BCD store by copying the BCD files from C:\Windows to the ESP (R:):
bcdboot C:\Windows /s R: /f ALL
Conclude the process by running the following commands and restarting your PC:
bootrec /rebuildbcdexit
Restore Registry from Backup
Access the Windows Recovery Environment and navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
Use the following diskpart command to select your OS partition:
diskpartlist disksel disk 0list volexit
Navigate to the System32 folder on this partition by using the command:
cd /d C:\windows\system32\
Create a folder with the name “rbackup” or any other preferred name:
mkdir rbackup
Copy the “config” folder from the current directory to the newly created “rbackup” folder:
copy config rbackup
Access the “RegBack” folder located within the “config” directory:
cd config\regback
List the contents of the “RegBack” folder using the command:
dir
If the files in “RegBack” have a value of 0, there is no registry backup, and this fix will not be effective for your situation. In such cases, proceed to the next solution.
If the values are non-zero, you can copy the registry backup from “RegBack” to the “config” folder by using the command:
copy * ..\*
When prompted to overwrite the contents, enter ‘y’ and press Enter.
Uninstall Updates:
If the issue arose after a recent Windows update, you can uninstall the problematic updates. See How to fix Windows Update Error Code 0xC1900101 – 0x30018 on Windows 10/11. To do this, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > and click Uninstall Updates.
In the uninstall updates section, select ‘Uninstall latest quality update.’
Perform a System Restore
If you’ve configured your system to create restore points, you might have the option to roll back your system to a previous, stable configuration without the present issue. To attempt this:
Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advance options > System Restore.
Choose the restore point you want to revert your system to and proceed by clicking Next > Finish. See How to Fix Windows Stuck on System Restore.
Conclusion
By following these comprehensive steps, users can effectively troubleshoot and resolve boot-related errors in Windows.
From recovering files and reinstalling the operating system to repairing the boot sector and utilizing advanced recovery options, this guide provides a thorough approach to address these issues without sacrificing valuable data.
I hope you found this article useful. Please feel free to leave a comment below.
