Windows 10 rollback stuck

Anonymous
2018-01-16T17:00:04+00:00

A client of mine has a Windows 10 desktop she bought a couple of years ago. Last week a user (we think her grandson) tried to rollback to a previous version of Windows. But, since Windows 10 is the original OS on the computer, it's stuck. Asks for keyboard language, then gives options to run Windows rollback or Windows 10. When you choose, it reboots and goes right back to the keyboard options. How can I get past this and fix the issue?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2018-01-16T18:46:36+00:00

Hi Andrea,

Corrupted system files after trying to rollback are one of the possible reasons why this issue is happening. Usually, restarting the computer should resolve the issue.

If the issue still persists even after restarting your computer, we recommend repairing Windows thru Advanced options. Follow the steps below:

  1. Press F8 while booting your computer to access System Recovery options.
  2. Click Troubleshoot.
  3. Select Command Prompt.
  4. Enter the following commands below, then press Enter after each command:
    • chkdsk c: /f
    • bootrec /fixmbr
    • bootrec /fixboot
    • bootrec /rebuildbcd
    • bcdboot c:\windows /s c:
  5. Once done with the above commands, restart your computer and see if the problem is fixed.

Keep us in the loop with the result.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-05-25T16:02:42+00:00

    For some people a rollback to the previous version works. It didn't work for me. I ended up needing a new windows installation. Even a clean install would crash, if I tried it with the latest version. I had to use the fall update instead of the April update. If you can find a Microsoft store nearby, they can help you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-25T12:58:29+00:00

    Hi hubberspac

    Do you have any friends that would let you visit them with a USB flash drive or DVD and you could download the update from Microsoft on their computer? (they don't need to be a good friend - just one with half an hour to an hour to spare!)

    perhaps post on social media (if you use it) that you need access to a pc and one of your mates will offer.

    then follow the instructions any one of us has offered when you get home to reload it.

    best wishes

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-25T12:47:35+00:00

    Thank you PCR,

    To answer your questions:

    1. Yes I used BIOS
    2. UEFI mode BIOS 

    3. See photo below showing what settings I used. The options I also have to work with are either MBR partition scheme  for UEFI  OR GPT partition scheme for UEFI. Should I choose the GPT or the MBR?

    I was clicking buttons to do a repair install, not a clean install. Honestly I have no idea what this computer is doing. I am at this point fine with a clean install since I used instructions from someone's post on here to go into safe mode and extract all my important files to USB (thanks to those people who gave those instructions!!). As much as i'd love to do a repair install to eliminate all the setup work, I have no hope for that and at this point I need my computer back to life!  So if you have a better idea for a simple wipe clean and re-install I am open to that too.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-25T12:41:30+00:00

    Hi SarahCleaver

    Have you solved this?  You are almost there. 

    Get to your stripped back windows screen.

    plug the usb in

    press the Windows key + R (doesn't have to be upper case R)

    in the pop up box click browse and it will show you what's on the USB stick which will be in an E: or F: directory or similar

    find the file that says setup.exe

    click on it and it will hopefully transfer to the window in the pop up box

    press enter and it will start to load

    It will ask you questions like are you ready (yes), do you want to save all your files and apps (Yes) etc and then continue to download the windows off the stick

    I suggest you stay by your pc.  If you have a laptop this is essential if you have the standard powersave settings that switch your computer off way before this download is complete. But also it does ask some questions along the way that you need to be around for.  Obviously you can go and make a cup of tea and come back, go to the toilet and come back, have a chat on the phone and come back but keep an eye :)

    It take a couple of hours and will then ask for your regular log in or choose a language (I can't remember which was first)

    Fingers crossed it may have worked.

    If it hasn't and you are back to the blue screen loop start from the beginning and choose 'another operating system' and do it all over again! I had to do it twice and some people got it on the third download.

    best of luck!

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