common boot 0xc000000f error inquiry

Anonymous
2025-03-02T02:59:09+00:00

Hi,

My pc running windows 10 had the boot/startup error occur earlier today and it isn't the first time. Previously, I used a usb stick to use the recovery tools and it worked although this time it did not.

I decided to try to run some other commands in the command prompt that recreated a bunch of boot files and my bios now shows me 5 booting options; 3 named windows boot manager (previously there was 1 which I would boot from normally) 1 that was just named after my SSD, and the usb plugged in. I tried a few other options but I kept running into errors such as this one and inaccessible boot device. Is there any other method? Am i able to just reinstall windows without losing anything?

Thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Ivan B 123.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-03-05T01:40:58+00:00

    Hi ,

    In this case, you would need to create an installation drive with rufus for the installation drive to be USB flash with Legacy boot.

    You will download the ISO

    https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

    Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.

    If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.

    On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

    The application will automatically identify the correct version of windows 10 for your system, from Next.

    Select which media you want to use ISO file. Save an ISO file to your PC

    Wait for the application to perform the iso download and after finishing the download it will close automatically.

    You will download Rufus, open it, select the Windows ISO, change the scheme to MBR and the Target System to BIOS

    Well, in this case, you can try to convert the Legacy Disk drive to UEFI, but there is a risk to the installation.

    Hope this helps.

    If you find the answer helpful, you can choose to accept the answer or not.

    Independent Advisor - Community

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-05T04:50:48+00:00

    Hi,

    Am i supposed to be doing this in another computer because I don’t see how I would download on anything besides windows on the troubled computer . I already have a usb with installation media which I’ve been using as well.

    I’m just wondering in case, Is there another method that just simply lets me install windows but I lose the data on the ssd/partition?

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  3. Ivan B 123.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-03-05T04:54:34+00:00

    Hi ,

    In this case, you can try to convert the disk from MBR to GPT, but I can't guarantee that reinstallation will keep the files. If you don't need the files, just disable the CSM and keep booting in UEFI and continue the installation normally.

    The previous procedure would be for you to create the installation drive on another computer for MBR and Legacy if you wish, so we can try to install Windows on top, keeping only the files.

    Independent Advisor - Community

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-05T16:52:31+00:00

    Ok, so after I download the iso and use rufus I then transfer that to the usb, plug it into my computer and boot as normal, then this should allow me to download windows on top of my primary partition?

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  5. Ivan B 123.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-03-05T17:23:04+00:00

    Hi ,

    In this case you have to create an installation drive with Rufus and keep the default MBR and Bios as in the image below:

    Independent Advisor - Community

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