Inaccessible Boot Device error in Windows 10

Anonymous
2018-01-09T16:46:16+00:00

I manage multiple computers running Windows 10 Pro 64-bit with the latest Current Branch and recently had multiple computers randomly startup with this BSOD: Inaccessible Boot Device.

I have tried everything:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-fix-update-causing-inaccessible-boot-device-error-windows-10

Which recommends deleting registry keys and install packages, though no pending installs could be found

SFC /SCANNOW - No corruption found

CHKDSK /R - Some minor issues corrected

BOOTREC - Scan OS shows 0 windows installations

FIXBOOT - Successful, but this tool finally made the entire process fail without being able to get to the recovery environment, just boots to the legacy screen and shows options for safe mode, but those fail too.

I am at my wits end, because I find thousands of websites and desperate users and admins, but the only fix that works is to clean install. I can't clean install the whole company. This is insane, there has to be a better known cause / fix out there...

*Modified title for accuracy*

*Original title: Inaccessible Boot Device error - cause? fix?*

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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.

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Anonymous
2018-01-17T17:16:49+00:00

WIN 10 BSOD FIX - Inaccessible Boot Device - THIS WORKS!  I Just Repaired 2 computers that went down at the same time last night on 1/16/18

Good Afternoon Bobby,

Here is the fix I came across from another kind IT tech, please see below.  Credits go to them, I'm just forwarding so everyone can finally get their computers back up and running.

Boot Windows 10

Go to Repair

Go to Tools/Options to get a command prompt.

Confirm the drive letter for the Windows image. Usually D: –> dir d:

Run the following to view the installed packages which will also show a date of install.

Dism /Image:D:\ /Get-Packages

Find the package(s) that were just installed by date. Run the following command on the last installed package:

example: dism.exe /image:d:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB4014329~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.1.0

Reboot.

The patch that caused my issue was from 1/6/18 or 1/10/18     Remove the latest windows update entry with Rollup Fix in it's name.  Once complete, close command prompt, turn off computer.  Power back up.  You should be back into WIN10.

If you still receive BSOD, rinse and repeat with the next latest update, try it again.  You'll eventually boot right back into WIN10.

I hope this helps.

Have a great day.

Showster

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-02-26T04:21:00+00:00

    IMMEDIATELY after that first successful boot

    ... I'd love to know how I could get a second successful boot! If only I'd known it was a one-shot deal (but I came to this thread after the fact).

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T18:11:30+00:00

    When you do a dism report right now, what does it indicate?  I've never been comfy at this state.  The patches are not in the software distribution folder, I think you will need to bite the bullet, reboot, see what happens.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T17:35:12+00:00

    Susan,

    I'm reposting this question with my original typo fixed.  Wondering if you have any advice for this case?

    "Any advice when a system is sitting at 1709 ver 16299.192 and has ALREADY DOWNLOADED KB4074588 (ver 16299.248) and is just waiting to restart to finish installing the update?  I would like to prevent the completion of the update with its possible death trap until Microsoft gives us a positive fix.

    Thanks,

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T17:26:18+00:00

    I and others have had success by doing the following:

    IMMEDIATELY after that first successful boot, plug in the USB flash drive and do the inplace upgrade-repair.  Details are found earlier in this long thread.  For extra insurance, disable AV and firewall and have no network connection.

    As of a few days ago, the media creation tool produced version 1709 (16299.125) after doing the inplace upgrade.  The system was then rebootable. All files and apps were preserved.   Immediately disable updates.  Enable system restore, create restore points, etc (described in detail earlier in this thread).  I then manually download and run KB4058258 which produces a (stable imo) version 16299.214.  

    Leave updates disabled while waiting for a fix from Microsoft.

    Good luck and let us know if this works.

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