How to Run Windows Startup Repair on a Dell computer (2024)

Startup repair is an integrated troubleshooting utility in Microsoft Windows. It is designed to quickly fix the most common issues that may be preventing your computer from booting into the operating system.

Startup repair can help with:

• The computer cannot boot into Windows because there iscorrupt registry entries.
• The computer cannot boot into Windows because ofmissing or corrupt system files or drivers.
• The computer cannot boot into Windows due to disk metadata corruption on the Master Boot Record (MBR), partition table, boot sector, or file system.
• The boot configuration data is corrupt.
• The computer Identifiesbad memory and hard disk hardware errors.

Startup repair cannot repair unbootable Windows computers if:

• The hardware device is faulty.
• There are issues with a clean installation of Windows or Windows upgrades such as upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
• The computer boots into Windows but cannot log in to a user account.
• Viruses, trojans, or other malware is affecting the computer.

Note: Startup repair cannot fix hardware failures such as a failing hard diskor incompatible memory. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, it cannot help recover any personal files such as photos or documents. To help protect the data on your computer, back up your data regularly.

Note: Startup repair may run multiple times before the startup issue is fully repaired.

There are multiple ways to initiate startup repair. This feature can be run from the desktop, but it can also be run from outside Windows using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If the computer cannot boot into the WinRE, Startup Repair can be run using a Windows installation disk.

The computer initiates Startup Repair when the computer fails to boot into the operating system two times consecutively. If Startup Repair fails to initiate, use a Windows installation disk.

How to initiate startup repair using the Settings app in Windows

1. Open the Settings app. Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to Update & Security.
3. Select the Recovery tab.
4. Under Advanced Startup, click Restart Now.
5. After the computer reboots, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
6. After the startup repair process is complete, reboot the computer.
7. If the computer fails to boot into the operating system:Initiate startup repair using the Windows installation disk

How to initiate startup repair from the desktop or lock screen

1. Click Start.
2. Click the power button icon.
3. Press and hold down the Shift key and then click Restart. Continue to hold the Shift key until the computer reboots.
4. Select Troubleshoot.
5. Go to Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
6. After the startup repair process is complete, reboot the computer.
7. If the computer fails to boot into the operating system:Initiate startup repair using the Windows installation disk

How to initiate startup repair using a Windows installation disk

1. Create a Windows installation disk using the Dell OS Recovery tool.
2. Connect the USB installation disk to the computer.
3. Turn on the computer and tap the F12 key until you enter the One Time Boot menu.
4. Select the USB drive from the list and press Enter.
5. The computer boots using the USB installation disk.
6. Select your language.
7. Choose the language to install, time and currency format, keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
8. On the Windows Setup screen, click Repair your computer.
9. Select Troubleshoot.
10. Go to Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
11. After the startup repair process is complete, reboot the computer.

Startup Repair can fix most problems with Windows. However, if the startup repair does not resolve the issue, back up your personal data and reinstall the operating system.

What to do if startup repair did not fix the issue?

It is possible that startup repair did not fix the Windows startup problem. The startup repair might automatically run again after the computer restarts.

If startup repair fails to fix the Windows startup problem, try the following troubleshooting steps next.

• Restore the computer to an earlier date using Windows System Restore.
• Repair the operating system files using the system file checker utility in Windows.
• Back up your personal data and reinstall the operating system.

Recommended Articles

Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.

• How to access the Windows Recovery Environment in Windows
• Booting to the Advanced Startup Options Menu in Windows 11and Windows 10
• Dell Computer Does Not Boot to Windows 11 or Windows 10
• How to Resolve the Windows 10 Infinite Boot Loop Problem

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