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

2018-02-11T01:53:01+00:00
Rememberif you do not immediately perform an in-place upgrade, the only other option is a system reset.

System Reset will allow your drive to boot again, but you are left without your programs and configurations.

It is possible to do a complete recovery of the build of windows that fails to boot. (Data, Programs, Settings, Everything)!

You do not need restore points.(even if you had them they would not help**)**

A backup copy of an earlier registry will not help!(drivers and patches are causing the issue)

Norton Anti-Virus is probably not at fault.(I have seen some issues like this due to Norton, but this problem is due to bad programming in the recent Spectre and Meltdown Patches.

What you do need are as follows:

1. A bootable Windows 10 DVD or flash drive of the same version and number of bits as is on the unbootable system.
1. Another working system with imaging would be desired, but not absolutely necessary.
Here's what I have found.

You can get at least one single normal boot by following the following procedure:
1. Assuming you can, Boot from a USB or DVD recovery disk from the same version of windows 10
(you might not be able to do this due to a setting in UFEI BIOS. See the section below on UEFI BIOS)
1. Select repair my PC
2. Select troubleshooting select command prompt.
3. Determine which drive your windows is on. (It probably won't be C: in the recovery environment)
You can type DIR D:\Users or DIR E:\Users etc. until you see your files on your hard drive.
1. See the next post
UEFI BIOS

Important note: Some people may have systems that have something called a UEFI BIOS and secure boot set on.

Until you turn secure boot off, you may not boot from and external media (USB Flash Drives, CD's, DVD's)

You must boot from external media to do the above fix!!.

To be able to change this setting, you must go into the repair/recovery environment on your machine. To do this let it blue screen twice and it will attempt to fix startup (it will fail).

Select advance settings and troubleshoot. Click on change UEFI settings. This will get you into BIOS/CMOS.****Change your boot method by disabling Secure Boot and saving settings.

I cannot tell you more precise instructions because all machines have different BIOS Setups. Once Secure Boot is disabled, you can then boot from external media. (You may need to hit a key to get to the boot menu. Sometimes ESC or Space, or F11 or F12)

More on the next post
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Anonymous

2018-01-20T00:29:45+00:00

Thanks, it fixed my problems, thank GOD!
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Anonymous

2018-01-15T11:55:19+00:00

True words: another MICROSOFT DEBACLE!

It killed my 4 month old MS Surface book!
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Anonymous

2018-01-13T01:07:42+00:00

We appreciate the update. Don't hesitate to post back so we can know the results and assist you further.

Keep us posted.
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