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
    2018-02-25T02:21:43+00:00

    DJL351: You only needed to remove the latest dated package to get it to boot. No need to remove network or USB devices.   Once you reboot without doing the in place upgrage(repair install), you are probably screwed.

     at this point about the only thing you can do is do a system reset from the tools on the hard drive.   you lose your programs but you might be able to successfully follow rbalin's method to get your programs back. ( somewhere between page 30 and 37)

    wiz

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-25T02:53:42+00:00

    I totally agree.  I've tried every option in the Advance Troubleshooting menu and even from cmd prompt removed updates back to first of January and still no go.  I decided personally it was wasting my time and I can do the Reset PC from Advance Troubleshooting and resetup pc it has been taking about 2 to 3 hours on my clients units.  Most of my unit were Dell Desktops both Optiplex & Inspiron models and then last couple of days had a Dell Latitude Laptop lost it's USB functionality and a Lenovo ThinkCenter Desktop lost it's USB as well.  So far out 6 or 7 units I have two that gave the "Inaccessible Boot Device" and other units were all losing USB keyboard & mouse functionality. Of course the new computers have no PS/2 connections.  So just pull the power plug as it starts booting windows and usually after three attempts it will give you the Troubleshooting menu.   Hopefully this will help someone out there.

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