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
    2019-01-31T12:32:57+00:00

    First off, today's problem is not the same as those in the previous thread.  Those in the thread referred to the January 2018 updates that clobbered PC's

    Most likely, you have failing hardware.

    You need a new hard drive, and an Operating system DVD or an Operating system Flash Drive.

    You also need enough cables to EVENTUALLY have both hard drives in the system (if you want to try to recover data)

    1. stop using the failing hard drive immediately.  The longer it is on the worse it gets and the less data you can recover.
    2. After removing the old hard drive, put a new hard drive in the machine.
    3. Using a Windows DVD or flash drive, reinstall windows on the new drive.  **
    4. Once installed, connect the failing drive as a secondary drive and boot up from the new drive.
    5. Use windows explorer to locate valuable data and copy it to the new drive.

    ** If you don't have a windows DVD or Flash drive, you'll need to make one.  You will need 1 blank 4.5Gb DVD or a blank 8Gb Flash drive.

        If you don't have a working PC, visit a friend's house and create Windows 10 installation media.  Note: you will want only the x64 version.

         Make sure that you don't try to put both the x86 and the x64 versions on the same DVD, they won't fit unless you have a dual layer 9Gb    

         blank or are using an 8Gb Flash drive.

    visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    Download and run the tool and create the appropriate installation media.  Use this in step 3 above.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T05:15:16+00:00

    i need help.  i have noluck with any of the fixs or repairs or reinstalls.  now iam getting the short dstfailure.  i need help

    email ******@gmail.com

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T02:06:34+00:00

    so hwo do i fix it you  GDMF  MOON

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-01-31T00:03:15+00:00

    The root cause for the original issue was found - servicing stack updates were installed in the wrong order causing the issue.  Now as to anyone getting the problem now... it's not the same root cause.

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