Как исправить ошибку windows error recovery

Sometimes you start up your Windows 7 computer but you get the Windows error recovery screen saying the system failed to start and a hardware or software change might cause it. What should you do if you are bothered by this Windows error? Now, you can get solutions from this post written by MiniTool to get rid of the black screen error.

Although Microsoft has ended the support of Windows 7 since January 14, 2020, there are still many users running Windows 7 on their PCs since its ease of use and reliability.

But, Windows boot problems always occur no matter which operating system you are using (Windows 7, 8, or 10). During the startup of the Windows operating system, a blue screen or black screen appears along with an error message. Today, we will discuss a Windows 7 black screen error – Windows error recovery.

When booting up Windows 7, the Windows error recovery screen comes out of the blue and you see an error message “Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause”, as shown below. Sometimes, you get another interface of Windows error recovery with different options.

The reasons behind this error are various, such as a recent hardware or software change, damaged system files, missing or corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD), compromised file system integrity, etc. When you come across the issue, how can you fix it?

You can get some solutions from the screen: use an installation disc to repair your computer in WinRE, or perform Startup Repair and start Windows normally by using the arrow keys.

So, you can follow the suggestions of Windows. If these simple tips couldn’t help, some other solutions are described here.

How to Fix Windows Error Recovery Loop

Method 1: Choose Start Windows Normally

When seeing the Windows 7 error recovery interface, the first thing you can do is to use the arrow keys to choose Start Windows Normally. Sometimes this can let your Windows boot to the desktop normally. Just have a try. If this won’t help, try other ways.

Method 2: Remove Recently Added Hardware

On the Windows error recovery screen, you know a recent hardware change may be the reason behind the system error. The hardware change may generate Windows instability problems, making your laptop like HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc. fail to reboot.

In this case, we strongly recommend removing recently added hardware.

The following are the instructions:

Step 1: Turn off your laptop, remove the battery and unplug the power cord.

Step 2: Disconnect all the newly added peripherals including a printer, webcam, zip drive, scanner, network cable, and other devices. Leave only the keyboard, monitor cable and mouse attached.

Step 3: Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds and release it.

Step 4: Put the battery back to the laptop and reconnect the power cord.

Step 5: Turn on the laptop and see if Windows error recovery still appears. If yes, go to the next solution to troubleshoot.

Method 3: Boot into Last Known Good Configuration

In Windows 7, there is a feature called Last Known Good Configuration, also known as LKGC. You can boot your PC to this mode if you are having trouble starting the system normally. Last Known Good Configure can load a previous configuration in Windows (including drivers, registry data, etc.) that was working properly.

Step 1: Restart your computer.

Step 2: Repeatedly press the F8 key until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.

Step 3: Select Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) and press Enter.

After the process finishes, your PC will boot to the desktop properly. However, if Windows fails to start twice in a row, you need to move to the next solution.

Method 4: Perform Startup Repair

When experiencing Windows error recovery during the startup of Windows 7, one solution given by the black screen is to perform Startup Repair (also known as Automatic Repair in older versions of Windows). It can scan your system and attempt to fix damaged or missing system files.

In the error recovery screen, sometimes you may have two options and one of them is Launch Startup Repair (recommended), as shown in the following figure.

Just use the arrow keys to highlight this option and press Enter on your keyboard to run Startup Repair. But if you cannot see this option (just like the first picture), how can you do this job? An installation disc is helpful.

Step 1: Go to download an ISO file of Windows 7 online and then create an installation disc with a USB drive or DVD.

Step 2: Insert this disc and restart your computer. Note that you should change the BIOS settings so that the disc is the first boot order.

Step 3: Choose your language, keyboard, and time settings, click Next.

Step 4: In the pop-up window, click Repair your computer.

Step 5: Choose your system to repair.

Step 6: You will get the following interface. Click Startup Repair to automatically fix problems that are stopping Windows from starting.

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Then, the repair process starts. This may take 15 to 45 minutes to complete, so wait patiently. Also, it may require the system to restart.

If you get the error message saying “Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically”, you need to go to the next method to fix the Windows error recovery issue.

Method 5: Run System Restore to Fix Windows Error Recovery Safe Mode

If there is a restore point created by you on the computer, you can use it to take your PC back to the settings that previously worked.

When getting the Windows error recovery issue, you can directly choose Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking or Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the computer screen if you see these options. If you cannot see it, go to Safe Mode by following these steps.

Step 1: Reboot your computer.

Step 2: Press F8 to enter the Advanced Boot Options window.

Step 3: Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt by using the arrow keys.

Step 4: After the Command Prompt opens, type rstrui and press Enter to open the System Restore window.

Step 5: Choose a restore point from the list and click Next.

Step 6: Click Finish and the restore process will start. After that, the Windows error recovery issue should be fixed.

Method 6: Rebuild BCD

Missing or corruption of BCD files can cause Windows error recovery Windows failed to start. To get rid of the error screen, you can use bootrec.exe to rebuild BCD in Command Prompt (CMD).

You can go to Safe Mode to open Command Prompt or use an installation disc to enter the CMD window. These two ways are described in the above contents. Then, in CMD, type these commands and press Enter after each command.

bootrec.exe /fixmbr

bootrec.exe /fixboot

bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd

Method 7: Run CHKDSK

If the file system gets corrupted, the Windows 7 error recovery issue may appear. So, you should perform a disk check using CHKDSK to fix file system errors and solve your problem/

Also, open Command Prompt, type chkdsk C: /f /x /r and press Enter. After the process is finished, restart your computer and see if Windows error recovery is disappeared.

Method 8: Reinstall Windows 7

If all of these solutions above fail to fix Windows error recovery and your Windows still fails to start, what should you do? The last resort is reinstalling the operating system.

Back up Files

How can you back up files when Windows fails to boot? MiniTool ShadowMaker, a piece of professional PC backup software, is designed to back up your files via imaging and sync.

It allows you to create a bootable USB drive, boot the PC and perform the backup operation in WinPE when Windows cannot boot. Just get MiniTool ShadowMaker from the download button.

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Step 1: On a normal PC, run MiniTool ShadowMaker and go to the Tools tab.

Step 2: Click Media Builder and follow the on-screen to finish the bootable drive creation.

Step 3: Insert the drive to your PC with Windows error recovery, reboot the PC from this drive and enter the MiniTool Recovery Environment.

Related articles:

• How to Build Boot CD/DVD Discs and Boot Flash Drive with Bootable Media Builder?
• How to Boot from Burned MiniTool Bootable CD/DVD Discs or USB Flash Drive?

Step 4: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker and go to the Backup or Sync tab.

Step 5: Choose files on the desktop as the backup source and select a destination.

Step 6: Click Back up Now or Sync Now to execute the backup task.

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Clean Install

After finishing the backup, now you can follow the guide to perform a clean install of Windows 7 to fix Windows error recovery.

Step 1: Boot your computer from the installation disc that you have prepared.

Step 2: After choosing the language, time and keyboard, click Install now to start the system reinstallation.

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Step 3: Accept the license terms and choose Custom (advanced).

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Step 4: Decide where to install Windows and then the setup tool will start installing Windows.

“Does Windows error recovery screen appear when booting up Windows 7? Here are all the possible solutions to this problem. Just share them to let more persons know.”Click to tweet

Suggestion: Back up Windows Operating System

Now, you should have resolved the Windows error recovery issue that happens in Windows 7 PCs. To restore your PC to a normal state instead of spending much time fixing the problem when it appears next, creating a system image is recommendable.

To do this work, MiniTool ShadowMaker can be also helpful. It can be used to back up Windows operating system, files & folders, disks and partitions in Windows 7/8/10. By default, system backup is selected.

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Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker.

Step 2: Go to the Backup page, system-related partitions are selected and you can go to Destination to choose a destination.

Step 3: Execute this backup task by clicking Back up Now.

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Bottom Line

Are you bothered by Windows error recovery while you start up your Windows 7? Now, try these solutions mentioned above and you can easily get out of the trouble. Also, a suggestion is introduced.

Besides, if you have any methods to fix the Windows 7 error recovery issue, you can tell us by leaving a comment below or contacting [email protected]. Also, any questions during using MiniTool Software are also appreciated.

Windows Error Recovery FAQ

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If you’re wondering how to fix Windows error recovery, you’re in the right place. Obviously, you are not alone. In fact, many users reported similar issues. The good news is that they also managed to solve these problems.

Let’s quickly review some of the most common issues related to Windows Recovery mode:

• Windows error recovery loop Windows 7 – If Windows 7 failed to start it’s likely you encounter the recovery Windows error on a Dell laptop, HP laptop, and so on.
• Laptop recovery problem – Speaking about portable PCs, more often than not, you’ll get the recovery screen on laptops.
• Windows error recovery on startup
• Obviously, the issue can impact all versions of the OS and a particularly common scenario takes the form of Windows error recovery in Windows 10.
• Windows error recovery keyboard not working

Don’t worry, we’ll show you exactly what to do when your PC says recovery. But first let’s see what we’re dealing with and what is it that triggers such errors, to begin with.

What is error recovery in computer?

Running apps might seem like a straightforward action, but it’s in fact a complex process involving syntax verification, compiling, and parsing operations that your computer constantly runs in the background.

The Windows error recovery is usually caused by problems such as corrupt system files, a hardware change, or a compromised Boot Configuration Data (BCD). The good news is that all of these are easy to resolve.

In fact, some of the situations generating this error have more than one solution meaning there is a huge chance of cracking the matter.

We’ll show how to fix Windows error recovery without CD or with a CD. There are various methods available, so you’ll be able to find the right Windows error recovery Windows 7 solution or Windows 10 fix effortlessly.

How do I fix Windows 10/7 recovery error?

➡️ If possible, make sure that the computer is connected to a reliable internet network as you execute these steps.

➡️ We will be using an HP laptop for demonstrative purposes, but the operations can be applied as such on any other brand (Dell, etc.)

1.  Remove recently added hardware

1. Turn off your laptop and remove the AC adapter and its battery.
2. Disconnect the newly added device. You may have to reopen the laptop to access whatever hardware you had installed (if it was an internal addition).
3. Return the battery.
4. Turn on the laptop the usual way.
5. The laptop may successfully boot to the desktop and the Windows error recovery message will not be redisplayed.
6. You can now try to reconnect the device and wait for Windows to recognize it (for external hardware like a USB webcam).
7. For hardware that is installed on the motherboard, the best approach is to ensure that you are installing a compatible device and to introduce the right drivers immediately.

Adding hardware, for example, a new RAM module can sometimes originate Windows instability problems. This triggers the Windows error recovery loop, making your laptop fail to reboot.

Use these steps to rectify whatever issues arose as a result of installing new hardware.

2. Run Windows Start Repair

1. Let the laptop timer countdown run to zero once the error message appears or just press Enter while the launch start repair option is selected.
2. The startup repair interface opens and starts scanning your laptop for problems.
   

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3. Implement the suggestions made by the startup repair wizard to rectify the pending faults.
4. The laptop should soon restart and boot into your normal desktop.

You can now attempt to repair a faulty Windows startup process by mending the relevant files.

3. Boot into LKGC (Last Known Good Configuration)

1. Restart your laptop.
2. Press F8 repeatedly until the advanced boot options appear.
3. Choose LKGC (last known good configuration -advanced) then press Enter.

Booting into the last known good configuration is easy and could solve the problem without much fuss.

4. Restore your laptop with System Restore

1. Turn off the laptop and then, press its power button to turn it back on.
2. Now, start pressing the F8 key repeatedly until a startup screen appears.
3. Highlight the safe mode option using the up/down arrow keys and press Enter.
4. Select an administrator user account when the Windows login screen displays and enter your password (if any).
5. When the desktop appears, press the windows button on the menu then click inside the search bar.
6. Type cmd then press Enter.
7. In the Command prompt window, type rstrui then press Enter again.
8. The Restore System screen opens.
9. Click Next, then choose the last restore point that worked (from the displayed options) then click next.
   

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10. Now click Finish and wait for the checkup and restart process to complete. Again be patient.

Restoring the laptop takes it back to the settings that previously worked. You can execute the system restore directly from the startup repair window if that option pops us.

Here is how to initialize restore if the option wasn’t provided and fix the Windows error recovery via Command prompt.

Besides the Windows error recovery loop, this method should also help if your computer is stuck in a restart loop, so make sure you check it out.

5. Recover the Laptop

Recovering a laptop is equivalent to resetting the computer its factory configuration.

• Windows 7

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Turn it on and press the F11 key repeatedly until the Recovery Manager (Windows 7) opens.
3. Click System recovery under the I need help immediately tab.
4. Select your preferred backup option when the system recovery asks for your backup preferences.
5. Click OK when and if a warning displays.
6. Click Finish to reboot the laptop as soon as the recovery is complete.
7. Now go over the typical Windows setup until the laptop finishes the fresh reconfiguration.
8. Restart your computer to ensure everything sails smoothly again.

You may have to reinstall some or all of your previous software including the antiviruses and business programs (if any) plus any backup files.

• Windows 10

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Turn it on and press the F11 key repeatedly until the Choose an option window is displayed.
3. Click Troubleshoot under the Choose an option tab.
4. Next, click Recovery manager on the Troubleshoot tab.
5. Finally, click System recovery under Help to finally progress to recovery.

• Windows 8

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Turn it on and press the F11 key repeatedly until the Choose your keyboard layout window is displayed when the laptop restarts.
3. In the new windows, click Troubleshoot.
   

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4. Click Recovery manager on the troubleshooting window.
5. Select Windows 8 to open the all-important recovery manager.
6. Now, click System recovery for the laptop to be reset to its original factory setup.
7. Another option would be to click the minimized image recovery in order to restore only your windows 8 operating system, and drivers, and select Software.

Use the HP Recovery disc to run the recovery

1. Turn on the laptop and then insert your first HP recovery CD/DVD into the drive.
2. Turn off the computer.
3. Now turn it on.
4. Press the escape key continuously until a window’s startup menu or the select boot device window opens.
   • If you get the select boot device menu, click the correct CD/DVD drive then press enter.
   • Else press F9 to access the boot menu/ device option then choose the right CD/DVD drive and press enter.
5. If the window requesting you to run recovery from the hard disk appears, choose the Run program from disc option and click next.
6. Select Recovery discs created from your computer/ Recovery discs received from HP support option appropriately.
7. Select Factory reset/ Reset the computer by erasing the entire drive and restoring to the factory setup depending on what’s shown on the screen. 
8. Select a suitable backup option or otherwise.
9. Click OK to hide the warning that appears.
10. Follow the steps and insert the next recovery disc when prompted.
11. Click Finish/Next as prompted when the recovery ends.
12. The laptop may turn off or restart automatically. If it is turned off, wait about 5 seconds before turning it back on.

Boot from a USB recovery drive

1. Turn on the laptop and insert the recovery USB flash disk into the USB port.
2. Now turn off the laptop and turn it back on.
3. Press the ESC key continuously until a window’s startup menu or the select boot device window opens.
4. The selections you need to make vary slightly depending on the type of menu that displays on your screen:
   • For select boot device menu, select the correct USB storage drive then press Enter.
   • For the startup menu, press F9 to access the boot menu/ device option. Again select the right USB storage drive and press enter.
5. The rest of the steps are as I explained above for CD/DVD.
6. Remember to remove the USB drive before restarting the laptop.

6. Perform Startup Repair with a Windows installation disc

1. Restart the computer and press F9 (repeatedly) until you see the message Press any key to boot from CD or DVD on the screen.
2. Select your preferred language, time plus currency, and a favored keyboard/input method, and then click next.
3. Choose Repair your computer.
4. In the next system recovery options window, choose the drive where your Windows installation is and click next.
5. Click Startup repair in the next dialog.
6. Select System restore and follow the steps until the computer is repaired.

We already showed you how to fix Windows error recovery without CD. However, all methods may fail if there is a critical error with your Windows installation.

In such an instance, you need to repair the original Windows installation using the disk. Finally, should everything else fail, you may need to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows.

Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.

She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.

Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.

Error Recovery is a common Windows error that occurs when booting Windows 7 through Windows 11. The user is dealt an error message about Windows failing to boot, with several standard recovery options to choose from to fix and start their computer.

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Let’s explore the Windows Recovery feature, the main causes of the error, and how you can fix it with Windows repair tools.

What is Windows Recovery?

Windows recovery is an in-built operating system feature to help you troubleshoot and repair issues that may prevent Windows from starting or functioning properly.

There are different ways to access Windows recovery, depending on your version of Windows. You may be forced to choose an option during Windows Error Recovery.

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On Windows 10, the option to help you repair corrupt Windows system files was introduced. It will look to access an installation disk or drive for fresh versions of these files. Other options to repair Windows without boot media include:

• System Restore – Revert to a previous stable version of your system. 
• System Image Recovery – Use a saved system image to go back to a previous state.
• Command Prompt – Use the command prompt to apply fixes.
• Uninstall Updates – Remove corrupt Windows updates that may cause Error Recovery.

You can also:

• Start Windows as Normal
• Boot in Safe Mode

If the underlying problem isn’t fixed and you attempt to boot as normal, your system can get stuck in a recovery loop.

In Safe Mode, third-party tools like Fortect can also diagnose and repair damaged Windows files in order to solve Windows Error Recovery without making significant changes to your system or losing data.

6 Causes of Windows Error Recovery

There are many reasons why Windows Error Recovery can occur, but they mostly fall under:

• Missing or damaged Windows system files
• Hardware issues
• Software issues
• Corrupt Windows Registry
• Corrupt Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
• Viruses and Malware

Depending on the cause, you may need to replace or remove hardware, reinstall or remove software, or repair the Windows system. Let’s take a closer look at the causes and why they disrupt Windows’ ability to boot properly. 

1. Hardware issues

Most computer hardware needs to function correctly for Windows to boot. The most common hardware issues are old failing hardware that needs to be replaced or new hardware that is incompatible or installed incorrectly. 

2. Software issues

It is rarer for software to cause Windows Error Recovery, but it’s not unheard of. It can happen if the software was interrupted and failed to install properly, was poorly programmed, or contains malware.

3. Missing or damaged Windows system files

One of the most common causes is within the operating system itself. When Windows starts up, it loads a number of system files and drivers that are necessary for the computer to function properly.

If any of these files are missing or corrupted, Windows may fail to start or exhibit other unexpected behavior.

4. Corrupt Windows Registry

When a computer starts up, the Windows boot loader reads configuration information from the registry to determine which drivers and services to load, as well as how to configure hardware devices and system settings.

If the registry is corrupt or damaged, the boot loader may not be able to read the necessary information, causing the boot process to fail.

5. Corrupt Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Similarly, BCD contains boot-related configuration settings and options that are also vital to starting Windows. If BCD is missing or corrupt, Windows can fail to boot completely because the boot loader will not be able to read the necessary configuration information.

6. Viruses and malware

If your PC is infected with viruses or malware, this can damage all areas of the Windows system and cause Windows Error Recovery. Sometimes, even if you manage to remove the threat, the damage is already done, and Windows must be repaired.

How do I get out of the recovery loop?

Windows provides several options to get out of a recovery loop itself. The options available to you will depend on your version of Windows and whether you have recovery media, such as a bootable copy of Windows on a disc or removable drive. 

1. Startup Repair

Startup Repair works by scanning the system for common startup problems and attempting to repair them automatically. It can fix issues related to the Boot Configuration Data and other Windows system files.

To access Startup Repair, you must boot your computer from a Windows installation media or recovery drive. Then, you can choose the option to repair your computer and select Startup Repair. The tool will then scan the system for problems and attempt to repair them automatically.

2. Remove or replace malfunctioning hardware

If Windows Error Recovery is happening because of hardware, consider whether you have recently installed a new component, or an aging component might be failing. Removing or replacing these can fix the problem instantly. 

Remember, not all hardware is compatible with your version of Windows or other components. 

3. System Restore

The System Restore option allows you to revert your computer to a previous state when it was working properly and could boot. This fixes issues related to software, drivers, system files, and the registry that can cause boot problems.

For this to work, you will need to have previously configured System Restore and have a restore point to revert back to.

To create a restore point, click the start menu, search Restore, and click Create a restore point.

During a Windows Error Recovery loop, select the System Restore option and choose a restore point before the problem occurred. 

4. System Image Recovery

A system image is a like-for-like copy of your PC, including the operating system, applications, settings, and all your files from when the image was generated.

Unlike system restore, you do not keep your files or any other current aspect when reverting to an image. However, you are more likely to fix the boot error. This is also a good way to move your Windows system over to a new hard drive.

Like System Restore, making a system image is a precautionary measure and not something you can create once the system is damaged.

Click the Start menu, search Backup, and select Backup settings. You can then select your desired drive to backup and the external drive to send it to. 

During Windows Error Recovery, make sure this drive is connected and choose it during the System Image Recovery option. 

5. Uninstall updates

Uninstalling Windows updates could fix a Windows recovery loop if the updates caused the problem in the first place.

While they are designed to improve the functionality, performance, and security of the operating system, installation can fail and cause problems.

Furthermore, an update may not be compatible with the hardware or software on your computer, leading to boot problems.

You will find the Uninstall Updates option under Advanced Options during recovery. Here you can choose between the latest Quality update or the latest Feature update.

Quality updates are more regular and less likely to trigger problems, while a Feature update provides significant changes to the operating system. If these go wrong, it’s more likely to stop your PC from starting.

6. Use Command Prompt

The Command Prompt applet gives you access to vital repair tools when your system won’t boot, and other options aren’t working. Clicking this option will open a window to enter direct commands. For Windows Error recovery loops, the following can help:

Run System File Checker (SFC) scan: The SFC scan can check for and repair corrupted system files that may be causing the boot problem. To run an SFC scan from the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. 

Run Check Disk (CHKDSK) scan: The CHKDSK scan can check for and repair file system errors on the hard drive, which can also cause boot problems. To run a CHKDSK scan from the Command Prompt, type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter. This will start the scan and repair process on the C drive.

Rebuild BCD: If the BCD is damaged or missing, it can cause boot problems. To rebuild the BCD from the Command Prompt, type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press Enter. This will scan for Windows installations and rebuild the BCD.

7. Boot in Safe Mode

Booting in Safe Mode may be able to give you access to Windows with only vital drivers and services running. This lets you fix some errors manually before trying to boot as normal.

You might choose to remove recent software installations or driver updates, scan for malware, or fix disk errors. With networking enabled, you can also access the internet to find fixes.

Safe Mode will also let you safely access the device manager to check for obvious hardware problems. 

Using Fortect to get out of a recovery loop

Fortect is an excellent tool for fixing Windows without losing data or making big changes to your system. During Windows Error Recovery, simply boot in Safe Mode and then launch Fortect when Windows loads.

• Download and install Fortect then follow these steps:

Firstly, perform a system scan, which will analyze your PC and find all the issues wrong with Windows. This includes malware, broken registry entries, missing DLLs and other Windows system files, and even malfunctioning software.

Many of these issues can cause the operating system to stop booting as normal, so going through the repair process can quickly fix things.

Fortect will replace and repair corrupt system files from its vast database without needing bootable recovery media. So, if you’ve lost your Windows disc or drive, Fortect is a viable solution.

Windows Error Recovery is the operating system’s way of resolving issues that prevent your computer from starting up correctly. However, if the issue persists after attempting the available recovery options, using software like Fortect can be more effective.