I'm having serious trouble with my Windows PC, which I've had for about four years. It's completely stuck on the startup screen with the blue window and loading circle. I've already tried a bunch of fixes: safe mode, unplugging and plugging it back in, ensuring no USBs are connected, running diagnostics, updating, rolling back the last update, and most recently, I reset the PC while choosing to keep my files. But now it's been stuck on that same Windows screen for over five hours! Could this be related to Windows 11? Am I going to lose everything on my computer?
2 Answers
First off, if you haven't already, make sure you have your files backed up somewhere—either on an external hard drive or in the cloud. It really reduces the stress in situations like this. Since your PC has been stuck for 5 hours, I recommend powering it off and then back on. If it still doesn't boot, you could try resetting without keeping your files. Another option is to create a bootable USB with Windows and do a fresh install. If you're worried about losing data, try using a USB adapter to connect your drive to another computer for backup before wiping it.
Ugh, I totally get that! I was just trying to play Minecraft too before my computer decided to act up. If your Terraria files are on Steam, those should be safe. But I feel your pain with the worry!
Just for caution—changing BIOS settings or messing with your disk can lead to data loss. Always make sure your backups are in place before making changes to your system. Good luck getting it sorted out!
Also, it might help to check your hardware connections. Sometimes a loose graphics card or memory stick can cause boot issues, so if you're comfortable, give that a shot!