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

2018-01-22T20:36:37+00:00

You can install the update with DISM /image: ?:\ /Add-Package /Packagename:? command

See my Post at the bottom of previous Page. Check those Registry Keys. To make it easier I suggest NirSoft "Registry Scanner" Some A/V see these types of tools as malware BECAUSE Bad People use them too.

Have you been Running SFC and DISM/ RestoreHealth after you remove the Packages in WinRE or better yet WinPE, as well as CHKDSK /b /x(necessary in WinRE usually)?

One must keep their Image Healthy.....

I have put several dissertation up Thread on all of this stuff, I am not going to repeat it......

Best Regards,

Crysta

Update: the above applies if you have problems with DISM....

As for Installing a package with the Add- command yes you can, but under these condition your mileage my very. Do your best to keep your Image Healthy.....
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Anonymous

2018-01-22T20:39:02+00:00
For 0x8000ffff, I tried:
- Renaming ..\windows\winsxs\pending.xml
- Renaming ..\windows\SoftwareDistribution
- Renaming ..\windows\system32\Catroot2
- Set both "Exclusive" and "TotalSessionPhases" data to "0".
- Mounted the Components registry file and removed some value(was mentioned in a Microsoft article, didn't archive the solution's steps).
- Ran DISM's /scanhealth and /restorehealth commands(tried a second time choosing a 1709 version Windows 10 disk "install.esd" file as the source).
- Ran chkdsk
- Ran SFC
Still getting 0x8000ffff when adding or removing packages using DISM. That computer is also getting the clean install treatment.
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Anonymous

2018-01-22T20:43:00+00:00

I did you suggestions and they did not work. I do thank you for the download link for the KB4073290 patch. Keep it simple.....and short. People might read what you post.
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Anonymous

2018-01-22T21:01:13+00:00
For 0x8000ffff, I tried:

Renaming ..\windows\winsxs\pending.xml

Renaming ..\windows\SoftwareDistribution

Renaming ..\windows\system32\Catroot2

Set both "Exclusive" and "TotalSessionPhases" data to "0".

Mounted the Components registry file and removed some value(was mentioned in a Microsoft article, didn't archive the solution's steps).

Ran DISM's /scanhealth and /restorehealth commands(tried a second time choosing a 1709 version Windows 10 disk "install.esd" file as the source).

Ran chkdsk

Ran SFC

Still getting 0x8000ffff when adding or removing packages using DISM. That computer is also getting the clean install treatment.
OKAY,

Here is what I found using Bing(because both are MS): "0x8000ffff".

Microsoft "Fix It": Fix Windows Update Error 0x8000FFFF Fix it Live! https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-update/microsoft-fix-it-fix-windows-update-error/2c5c9562-fa47-47f3-9748-a03f638cb96b

Fix Windows Update Error 0x8000FFFF Fix it Live! https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/fixit4me/2009/01/07/fix-windows-update-error-0x8000ffff-fix-it-live/

This will get you started..... it is old....

I will update with more, I revised Bing(because both are MS): "0x8000ffff Windows 10".

UPDATE, ADD FROM A 2015 POST

This may or not be applicable???? https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_store/windows-10-windows-store-error-code-0x8000ffff/4bdf96fb-73b6-4bba-8dac-0a00056a67cc

Ankit Rajput replied on

Microsoft

Hello,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your time.

If you are using third party security software, try disabling third party security software and check. Disable third-party Security Software.

a. You should see an icon for your Antivirus program in the Task-bar notification area. It is usually at the bottom right corner of your desktop.

b. Click on the third-party Security Software Icon, you will see a pop up.

c. In that pop and select the option to disable, click on it.

d. Now the third-party Security Software will be disabled.

Important Note: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Sincerely,

Ankit Rajput

Regards,

UPDATE ADD ANOTHER POST

The problem I am finding is the nobody seems to be resolving it within MS. So now one need to go to 3rd Party sites....

Here is a short POST from 2015..... https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/windows-10-windows-update-fails-error-0x8000ffff/da837175-2632-4840-97cb-a957744f2879

DAVIDSMELVILLE asked on

Q:windows 10 ,windows update fails error 0x8000ffff

Using windows update it windows 10 , I found a cumulative update for x64 based system which I have. This it for kb3081445 . When download , it attempts to install and fails error 0x8000ffff . This has happened several times and I have no idea what can be causing it to fail. Can someone please assist me.

I need to make a meal. I will look some more if you haven't found a resolution with the revised Search: "0x8000ffff Windows 10", using a number of different Search Engines(I have about 6 avail).

Let us know how you are doing.....

Best Regards,

Crysta
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