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
    2018-01-31T20:40:53+00:00

    forget about what's on the x: drive. And it is NOT on C: (unless you aren't following instructions)

    You need to boot from recovery media, not use the recovery environment on the hard drive.

    You do not care anything about the x: drive!!!!!

    After booting from recovery media, locate your windows drive.  It should be the only drive that has a Users**{your name}**  folder

    use that letter in the repair procedure.

    Then follow the instructions (CAREFULLY).  Remember you can use notepad in the recovery environment.  Also you can mark and copy the long names of the patches from the DOS windows and paste them in a notepad file. Create a batch file from the notepad files that looks like this:  (in my case the windows drive letter was e:)

    md e:\temp

    md e:\temp\packages

    dism /image:e:\ /get-packages

    pause

    dism.exe /image:e:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions

    dism /image:e:\ /remove-package /packagename:package_for_kb4056887~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.1.0 /scratchdir:e:\temp\packages

    dism /image:e:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~16299.192.1.9 /scratchdir:e:\temp\packages

    dism /image:e:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~16299.125.1.6 /scratchdir:e:\temp\packages

    dism /image:e:\ /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB4058702~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~16299.188.1.0 /scratchdir:e:\temp\packages

    This was the batch file I created to fix the problem.

    I put the pause in so you can verify which Packages are installed in your version of windows.  You need only remove the 2018 dated packages.

    You will recover your Windows build for one boot only. 

    Do not reboot, but immediately perform an in-place upgrade (repair install)

    After the upgrade, your windows will be recovered.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-31T20:21:42+00:00

    from the x: prompt (this is the windows recovery environment drive)

    type dir d:

    or dir e:

    etc until you see your build of windows.

    you do not want to do anything to drive X

    all references are for you to substitute the letter of your windows build for X.

    (you can tell which letter your windows is on by looking at the users directory for your name.

    example: dir d:\users or dir e:\users, etc.)

    substitute that letter in all the commands

    wiz

    Thanks for the reply. I instantly left the "X:\Windows\System32>" (which contains the boot files & is inside of drive c:). I did get to the volumes list which now contains drives c: - h:/. The problem is that when trying to do a DOS repair it comes back that something in the boot files (x: drive) now has lines that are encrypted that will not allow any fixes. My repair disk will allow me to access the folders & files I want to  save on an external drive. I can even see all of my HP & Win 10 recovery/backup files but the system will not recognize that they exist. It will not let me install a brand new version of Win 10 Pro 64 bit or any ISO copies of Creators Version (CD, USB or HD) even though the USB & disk drives are working fine.

    I tried every solution in this thread before my 1st post & from 10+ other places with no results. This reminds me of the Win ME fiasco & I doubt that Win 10 will be around for long. I know there is a beta version of a new Win OS out already & will be looking to find a copy soon. I am in the middle of swapping out 80 Win 7 workstations now with new Win 10 comps on our city's network & these ongoing update problems with Win 10 are making us have second thoughts about continuing with them. I've been around for a long time like a lot of others here (pre Windows or Mac) & have never seen so many comps with so many different problems from a few updates in 1 OS. After I get the rest of my txt & media files that I need off of the unbootable comp I am going to "Hillary" the HD & move on. Thanks to all that have tried to help people with this bad OS.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-31T19:22:23+00:00

    Keep in mind there is a v... well v3 now of the January 1709 release, also one thing to ask... when you guys are reinstalling all of the January updates are you getting the servicing stack update as well?

    Also keep in mind if you do a refresh it may also do the option for injecting the updates of January into the build and thus installing in a slightly different manner than MU did.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-31T19:16:20+00:00

    OKAY Wiz,

    I got all of that, you did not say you did the following.....

    The premise of my assertion is, that I am see that other people are Installing all of the Jan patches AFTER the In Place Update(not upgrade because one is not changing vintages).

    If they will work and the same PC after the In Place update, then it probably was not the Patches from MS...... Just Sayn'

    Best Regards,

    Crysta

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