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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

200 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2018-05-29T10:07:19+00:00

    Hi Pacepicante

    have your sorted this yet? You are almost there at the screen you took a pic of but as PCR said you are best to back up your files. 

    I'm not tech savvy either but here's what worked for me for backing up:

    Cancel out of that run box and from your black desktop press CTRL ALT DEL 

    A window pops up and one of the options is Task Manager. Select this.

    In the task manager box, click File, Run Task, Browse and from there you should be able to locate your document files and back up o an external hard drive using Copy

    Then go back to the Run box you took a pic of and and press ok.  It gives you the questions about saving your personal files, including updates etc after you have started the setup.exe

    all the best!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-29T09:36:40+00:00

    when i typed in the c:\windows\notepad.exe it worked and made the notepad pop up, once i go to file and choose “file” and “open” i get this alert message pictured in tbe first picture below, once i exit out of the alert message and change the drop down button from “Text Documents” to “All Files” i do not see the option to right click “C:\Users<Username>” or any of the other things u mention after that, pictured below in rhe second pic is what i see on the screen after i exit out of the alert messages and change the drop down button to “All Files”

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-05-29T07:33:28+00:00

    First try to enter the full path: "C:\Windows\Explorer.exe". If that also fails, try "C:\Windows\Notepad.exe", & skip to (f) below.

    Otherwise, get to Notepad in the recovery environment. of Installation Media...

    (a) Plug in the Win 10 Installation Media (see below). Also plug in a USB drive on which to copy files.

    (b) Boot to the Installation Media through the BIOS Boot Menu. You press a key during boot at the manufacturer's logo screen. Find your key here...

    https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutorials/23010-get-access-bios-settings-boot-menu-f-keys-hotkeys-system-manufacturer-oem.html

    Get access to BIOS settings & Boot Menu: F-keys/Hotkeys by System Manufacturer (OEM)

    Note: That's a 3rd-party site. The literature is good. I know nothing of any downloads or links at that site.

    (c) When the Installation media boots, get to the 2nd screen, & click "Repair your computer". This will boot to the Recovery Environment at the "Choose an option" screen.

    (d) Click "Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt".

         A Command Prompt will open.

    (e) Enter "Notepad" into the prompt. It will open in full GUI mode.

    (f) Select "Open" from Notepad's File menu.

    (g) At the bottom right of the Open requestor, set it to read All Files...

    (h) Now all files should show up. Don't try to open any of them except maybe text files. But browse to - especially - "C:\Users<Username>", right-click it in the left pane, & select "Copy". Then click the letter of the USB drive in the left pane (not the one that holds the Installation media). Right-click in the right pane, & select "Paste". Do the same for "C:\Windows.old\Users<Username>", if it exists. That would get all the stuff of the user. I guess you could be more selective, & just take the subfolders that hold your data.

    (I) Close the "Open" requestor, Notepad, & the Command Prompt.

    After all that, try the repair-install again. It was also written up at this site (that Kyle62 found)…

    https://mspoweruser.com/avast-issues-a-fix-for-the-windows-10-april-2018-update-problem/

    Avast issues a fix for the Windows 10 April 2018 Update problem

    Note: That's a 3rd-party site. Looks good, but I know nothing of links or downloads there.

    It's an excellent write-up of what others have been posting in this thread to achieve a repair-install that keeps everything. Except...

    At step 9, be sure to match Edition (Home, Pro, etc.) & Language as well as Architecture (x64/64-bit or x86/32-bit).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2018-05-29T07:11:45+00:00

    (1) when i type “explorer.exe” an alert message pops up that says “an attempt was made to reference a token that does not exist”

    (2) sorry if this is a rlly obvious thing but i’m not rlly tech savy so how do i copy important files and downloads to external media?

    also thank u for ur help

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments