Windows failed to start a recent hardware change or software change might be the cause

Windows errors can be a daunting issue for users, and «Windows Failed to Start: A Recent Hardware or Software Change Might Be The Cause» is one of the most commonly faced problems. This error often causes frustration and anxiety as users find themselves unable to boot their systems. In this detailed guide, we will explore the causes of this error, steps for troubleshooting it, and various solutions to restore your Windows system to full functionality.

Understanding the Error

When Windows fails to boot, it usually displays a message indicating that the failure was caused by a recent hardware or software change. This can happen due to various factors, including:

1. Recent Software Installations: If software does not install correctly, it can corrupt essential system files.

2. Driver Issues: New drivers may be incompatible, causing conflicts in the system.

3. Hardware Changes: New hardware that isn’t installed correctly or is incompatible can lead to boot failure.

4. Corrupted System Files: Critical Windows files may become corrupted due to improper shutdowns or malware.

5. Windows Updates: Occasionally, an update may fail and render the system unbootable.

6. Malware Attacks: Viruses or malicious software may damage system files and settings.

7. File System Errors: Problems in the file system can prevent Windows from starting correctly.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into specific solutions, it’s essential to take some preliminary steps to understand better the situation.

1. Disconnect External Devices

Sometimes external devices (USB drives, printers, etc.) can interfere with the boot process. Disconnect all unnecessary peripherals and attempt to boot the computer again.

2. Access Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers. If you can boot in Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot the problem more easily.

• Restart your computer and as it begins to boot, repeatedly press the F8 key until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu.
• Select «Safe Mode» and press Enter.

If Safe Mode loads, you may address the issue by uninstalling new software, rolling back drivers, or performing virus scans.

3. Use Last Known Good Configuration

If you recently made changes and cannot boot into Safe Mode, try using the «Last Known Good Configuration» option.

• Restart the computer and press F8.
• Select «Last Known Good Configuration» and attempt to boot.

This option will start Windows with the last set of drivers and configuration settings that worked.

4. Check System Hardware

If the system fails to start even in Safe Mode, there may be a hardware issue at play. Carefully check all physical connections within your computer. Ensure RAM, hard drives, and other cards are securely installed.

Detailed Solutions

If the basic steps do not resolve the issue, you can move on to more advanced solutions. Here are several methods to potentially fix the boot error.

1. Repair Startup Using Windows Installation Media

If you’re unable to boot into Windows, using Windows installation media (USB or DVD) can help fix startup problems.

Steps to Repair Startup:

• Create Windows installation media using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
• Boot your computer from this media.
• Select your language preferences, and click «Next.»
• Click on «Repair your computer.»
• Choose «Troubleshoot,» then «Advanced options,» and click on «Startup Repair.»

The Startup Repair tool will automatically diagnose and attempt to fix issues preventing Windows from booting.

2. Perform a System Restore

If the error began after recent changes to software or drivers, a System Restore might rectify the issue by returning your system to a previous state.

Steps to Perform a System Restore:

• Boot from the Windows installation media.
• After selecting your language, click «Next,» and then choose «Repair your computer.»
• Go to «Troubleshoot,» then «Advanced Options,» and select «System Restore.»
• Follow the prompts to restore your system to a point before the issue began.

3. Using Command Prompt to Fix Files

If the issue persists, try using Command Prompt to check for and fix corrupted system files.

Steps to Use Command Prompt:

• Boot from Windows installation media.
• Go to «Repair your computer,» then «Troubleshoot,» and select «Command Prompt.»
• Once the Command Prompt opens, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each command:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

These commands can help repair boot records, which might be corrupted and causing the boot failure.

4. Check Disk for Errors

Sometimes, disk errors can cause boot failures. You can check and repair disk errors using Command Prompt.

Steps to Check Disk:

• Boot from Windows installation media and open the Command Prompt as discussed earlier.
• Type the following command and press Enter:

chkdsk C: /f /r

This command will check the C drive (where Windows is usually installed) and fix errors.

5. Update or Roll Back Drivers

If you suspect that a driver update might be the reason for the boot error, you can try to roll back to a previous version or update to the latest drivers in Safe Mode.

Steps to Update/Roll Back Drivers:

• Boot into Safe Mode.
• Right-click on «This PC» or «My Computer» and select “Manage.”
• Click on «Device Manager.»
• Locate any devices marked with an exclamation mark (usually indicates issues).
• Right-click on the device, and select either «Update Driver» or «Roll Back Driver.»

6. Remove Recently Installed Software

Sometimes newly installed software applications can conflict with system files. If you installed any new software prior to the issue, consider uninstalling them through Safe Mode.

Steps to Uninstall Software:

• Boot into Safe Mode.
• Go to the Control Panel and select «Programs and Features.»
• Find recently installed software, select it, and click “Uninstall.”

7. Check for Malware

Malware can corrupt essential files, resulting in boot problems. If you can access Safe Mode, you should perform a deep scan of your computer.

Steps to Check for Malware:

• Boot into Safe Mode with Networking.
• Download a reputable anti-malware program, such as Malwarebytes.
• Run a full system scan and follow the prompts to remove any detected malware.

8. Reset Your PC

If everything fails and you still can’t boot into Windows, resetting your PC might be a viable solution. Note that this process will remove all applications but can keep your files if you choose that option.

Steps to Reset Your PC:

• Boot from Windows installation media.
• Go to «Repair your computer,» then «Troubleshoot,» and select “Reset this PC.”
• Follow the prompts, choose to keep your files or remove everything, and proceed.

9. Clean Install Windows

As a last resort, if none of the above solutions work, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows. This will wipe everything on the drive, including files, applications, and settings, so ensure you have backups of any important data.

Steps for a Clean Installation:

• Boot from Windows installation media.
• Follow the prompts until you reach «Where do you want to install Windows?»
• Select the drive where Windows is installed and choose to format it. Note that formatting will erase all data.
• Proceed with the installation as instructed.

Conclusion

The error «Windows Failed to Start: A Recent Hardware or Software Change Might Be The Cause» can be a significant obstacle for users attempting to access their systems. However, by following the troubleshooting methods and solutions provided in this guide, you can often resolve the issue without needing professional assistance. Remember to keep regular backups of your files and create restore points whenever you make system changes to reduce the likelihood of encountering such errors in the future. Whether it’s a minor glitch or a serious failure, understanding the cause of the problem and knowing the right solutions can help you regain access to your Windows environment effectively.

Introduction

The «Windows Failed to Start» error message is a common problem that many Windows users encounter. This error message typically appears when there is an issue with the computer’s boot configuration or when a recent hardware or software change has caused the system to fail to start properly. In this tutorial, we will explore the possible causes of this error message and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.

Causes of the Windows Failed to Start Error

There are several possible causes for the «Windows Failed to Start» error message. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD): The BCD is a database that contains information about how the operating system should boot. If the BCD becomes corrupted, the system may fail to start properly.

2. Missing or Corrupted System Files: If important system files become corrupted or missing, the system may fail to start properly.

3. Incompatible or Faulty Hardware: If a recent hardware change has caused compatibility issues with the system, the system may fail to start properly.

4. Incompatible or Faulty Software: If a recent software installation has caused compatibility issues with the system, the system may fail to start properly.

5. Virus or Malware Infection: A virus or malware infection can cause the system to fail to start properly.

Fixing the Windows Failed to Start Error

Now that we have identified some of the possible causes of the «Windows Failed to Start» error, let’s explore how to fix this issue. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix this error:

Step 1: Use the Windows Recovery Environment

The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a set of tools that can help you diagnose and fix problems with your Windows operating system. To access the WinRE, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows installation disc or USB drive into your computer and restart the system.

2. Press any key when prompted to boot from the installation disc or USB drive.

3. Select your language and keyboard layout, then click «Next.»

4. Click on «Repair your computer.»

5. Select the operating system you want to repair and click «Next.»

6. Click on «Startup Repair» and follow the on-screen instructions to repair the system.

Step 2: Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If the BCD is corrupted, you can rebuild it using the Bootrec tool. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Access the Windows Recovery Environment as described in Step 1.

2. Click on «Command Prompt» to open a Command Prompt window.

3. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each command:

   • bootrec /rebuildbcd
   • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot

4. Restart the system and check if the error has been resolved.

Step 3: Check for Missing or Corrupted System Files

To check for missing or corrupted system files, you can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. Follow these steps to run the SFC tool:

1. Open a Command Prompt window as an administrator.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   • sfc /scannow

3. The SFC tool will scan the system for missing or corrupted files and repair them if necessary.

4. Restart the system and check if the error has been resolved.

Step 4: Check for Incompatible or Faulty Hardware

If you suspect that a recent hardware change has caused the error, you can try removing or replacing the hardware to see if the error is resolved. Follow these steps to check for incompatible or faulty hardware:

1. Disconnect any recently added hardware from the system.

2. Restart the system and check if the error has been resolved.

3. If the error persists, try replacing the hardware with a known working one.

4. Restart the system and check if the error has been resolved.

Step 5: Check for Incompatible or Faulty Software

If you suspect that a recent software installation has caused the error, you can try uninstalling the software to see if the error is resolved. Follow these steps to check for incompatible or faulty software:

1. Access the Windows Recovery Environment as described in Step 1.

2. Click on «Command Prompt» to open a Command Prompt window.

3. Type the following command and press Enter to open the System Restore tool:

   • rstrui.exe

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the system to a previous state before the software installation.

5. Restart the system and check if the error has been resolved.

Step 6: Scan for Virus or Malware Infections

A virus or malware infection can cause the system to fail to start properly. To scan for virus or malware infections, follow these steps:

1. Access the Windows Recovery Environment as described in Step 1.

2. Click on «Command Prompt» to open a Command Prompt window.

3. Type the following command and press Enter to open the Windows Defender Offline tool:

   • mpcmdrun.exe -scan -scantype 1

4. The Windows Defender Offline tool will scan the system for virus or malware infections and remove them if necessary.

5. Restart the system and check if the error has been resolved.

Conclusion

The «Windows Failed to Start» error message can be a frustrating problem to deal with, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve this issue and get your system back up and running. In this tutorial, we have explored some of the possible causes of this error message and provided step-by-step instructions on how to fix it. By following these steps, you can effectively troubleshoot and fix the «Windows Failed to Start» error on your Windows system.