I just got my first decent computer and made a mistake while trying to update or install drivers. I restarted the system during the update, and now my PC freezes right when it boots up. I've managed to access repair mode, but I'm not sure what to do from there. I also got into safe mode, but I'm locked out because it says, "Something happened and your PIN isn't available. Click to set up your PIN again," but I can't connect to Wi-Fi. When I click on that, a window pops up for just a split second and then closes. How serious is this situation? I really want to fix this issue since it was my first big PC investment, and I'm really worried. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
4 Answers
You might be able to boot from a Linux USB to back up any data, but if your system is new and doesn't have anything important on it, consider just wiping the drive and reinstalling the OS from scratch. You can usually find the setup files from the manufacturer or their documentation. Many prebuilt systems also come with a recovery partition that you can manually boot into.
Many pre-built PCs, including laptops, have a recovery partition. You can reset Windows, which confusingly is called 'Reset your PC’. Look for the option to 'Keep my files' — that keeps your stuff while reinstalling Windows. Just a heads up: if you run into issues, it may show an error you’d have to troubleshoot first.
I tried that, but it said there was some sort of issue. What should I do?
If you have another PC and an 8GB USB stick, you can create a Windows installation USB using the Media Creation Tool to reinstall Windows. If you don't choose to wipe the partition, the old files might move to a 'windows.old' folder, which you can recover from before cleaning up. You might need USB tethering from your phone to get internet until you install the Wi-Fi drivers, or plug in via Ethernet.
I’d totally recommend that. The Media Creation Tool has saved me from a ton of OS issues!
Reinstalling Windows is likely your best route, but make sure you have another drive handy. You need to reinstall all your programs, but if done properly, your personal data should remain untouched. Here’s a complete guide for recovery options using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
1. Access WinRE by various methods (like pressing specific keys during startup or using installation media).
2. Use features like Startup Repair, System Restore, or Command Prompt for fixes.
Can you share a detailed guide for reinstalling? I'm not great with tech and need all the help I can get.
How would I go about wiping it? Is the 'remove everything' option the way to go?