Inaccessible Boot Device error in Windows 10

Anonymous

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?*

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

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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506 additional answers

Anonymous

2018-04-10T01:16:57+00:00
at first, you need to understand BIOS and UEFI, for the best result set up bios in factory defaults, check if the security is off, than there is difference, 32bit system in UEFI mode is able to install from ATAPI CDROM - after install you need to fix MBR
- in 64bit system is better for you to do clean install, best idea is to take out HDD, do deep format, after that to do clean install from USB KEY, you can use RUFUS or Microsoft creation tool. but ! iso files used for USB KEY must be " legal " .... so in Bios check UEFI options, there is more chances, try to set up Both, remember, your HDD must be in compatible mode, not AHCI...
-take out HDD and format deeply, not fast - fat32 or NTFS

-prepare USB KEY - Rufus + windows iso file 64 bit legal.-usb must be FAT32, MBR with UEFI :)

-instert your HDD

-insert your USB KEY - must be activated ability boot from USB

-if it give you question about where to install, there is full space of your drive, you dont need to do partitions, instalator will make it alone by your bios setup...
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Anonymous

2018-04-09T23:19:00+00:00

Hello,

Nothing has worked for me. I booted from the Windows installation disk and tried to format my HDD so I can try installing windows again, but It just gives me an error saying that the hard drive is not writable. Also when my system was trying to boot, I noticed that there was no HDD activity. What do I do?

If you scroll back to my three consecutive posts about page 30, you may see that there are general instructions for going into BIOS setup and turning off secure boot. Secure boot prevents you from booting from any device other than the hard drive.

I strongly suspect that you need to turn off secure boot. I cannot provide exact instructions because each machine has a different setup routine.

You may need to go into startup repair and select troubleshooting and the select change UEFI settings to be able to get into the BIOS Setup. There is no need to change anything but turn secure boot off.

Also notice either in BIOS or on the screen after the initial machine logo pops up following a reboot that there may be a key you can press to get into the Boot Selection screen or at least BIOS to change the boot sequence.

Once booted from external media, you should be able to clear the hard drive for an absolutely clean install.

It's a good Idea to document any changes that you make along the way.

Wiz
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Anonymous

2018-04-09T23:03:50+00:00

the problem is that your BIOS is not configuret good, you neet do set SATA to COMPATIBLE MODE not AHCI...
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Anonymous

2018-04-04T19:43:12+00:00

Hello,

Nothing has worked for me. I booted from the Windows installation disk and tried to format my HDD so I can try installing windows again, but It just gives me an error saying that the hard drive is not writable. Also when my system was trying to boot, I noticed that there was no HDD activity. What do I do?

First, you don't need to reformat.

simply get into the repair tools and perform a reset. That will make your windows boot and preserve your data.
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