Critical System Issues Following Windows 11 24H2 Update: Boot Errors, System Freeze, and Bitlocker Access Denied

Anonymous
2025-01-15T14:00:56+00:00

Two days back I received the Windows 11 24H2 Update on my system "HP Omen 16". Following the installation, I observed two identical entries for 'Windows 11 on volume 3' within the boot menu. No selection was made, and the system successfully logged into Windows after a 30-second delay.

The following workday, I consulted with our IT department regarding this behavior. Upon restarting the system in their presence, the dual boot entries reappeared. Attempts to select between the entries were unsuccessful. Proceeding to 'Change defaults or choose other options' and selecting the 'Repair' option resulted in a system freeze, characterized by an automatic reboot loop.

Subsequent attempts at system recovery using built-in tools encountered the following error:

"Your PC/Device needs to be repaired.

A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed.

Error Code: 0xc0000225"

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/d99e4b91-e430-4162-a12e-e9bb43699141?platform=QnA

Furthermore, accessing the Recovery Environment by pressing F1 also resulted in a system freeze and reboot loop.

Efforts to utilize a bootable USB drive for recovery were hindered by a request for the Bitlocker Encryption key. It is suspected that the Bitlocker keys may have been invalidated or altered during the Windows 11 24H2 update process, as previously saved keys are no longer functional.

Could anyone please advise/assist on how to proceed? Additionally, I’d like to confirm if there are any extra steps I should take to avoid BitLocker recovery issues while performing this.https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/e8b5c6b5-ddd4-45e1-a55e-3e0f9b2c43f9?platform=QnA

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-20T14:21:29+00:00

    Hello,

    Please do bcdedit /delete {default} and then push enter.

    After that, are you able to boot to Windows 11?

    Hope to hear back from you.

    I'll try it but before doing this let me share some updates about the current state of Windows.
    When I turn on my PC it displays a following screen.

    When I push enter, it will boot to the Windows normally. When I look at the root of my system drive, there is now a new hidden directory called '$WINDOWS.~BT' which is 454MB (size on disk). Please assist how can I resolve this?

    Thanks!

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  2. Airbus A350 8,015 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-01-20T14:50:08+00:00

    Hello,

    The folder $Windows.~BT is a folder that Windows used when it needs to update. It is deleted after an update, however, if it isn't deleted, that means that Windows has leftover update components or an update failed to install.

    When a duplicate boot entry is showed, that means that Windows accidentally added the boot files from $Windows.~BT and thought it was a bootable OS and set it as default.

    Could you open msconfig from the Start Menu and attach a screenshot of what you see?

    Hope to hear back from you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-20T16:08:22+00:00

    Hello,

    The folder $Windows.~BT is a folder that Windows used when it needs to update. It is deleted after an update, however, if it isn't deleted, that means that Windows has leftover update components or an update failed to install.

    When a duplicate boot entry is showed, that means that Windows accidentally added the boot files from $Windows.~BT and thought it was a bootable OS and set it as default.

    Could you open msconfig from the Start Menu and attach a screenshot of what you see?

    Hope to hear back from you.

    This is what I see in "msconfig" window.

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  4. Airbus A350 8,015 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-01-20T16:24:23+00:00

    Hello,

    You can safely delete the first entry, the one that says, "Windows 11 ($Windows.~BT\NewOS\WINDOWS)".

    Just don't delete the second entry.

    After you delete the first entry, you shouldn't encounter the "Select an Operating System" screen.

    Let me know how this goes.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-20T16:47:16+00:00

    Hello,

    You can safely delete the first entry, the one that says, "Windows 11 ($Windows.~BT\NewOS\WINDOWS)".

    Just don't delete the second entry.

    After you delete the first entry, you shouldn't encounter the "Select an Operating System" screen.

    Let me know how this goes.

    I know that if I delete the above-mentioned entry, the "Select an Operating System" screen won’t appear. What happens if I delete the "$Windows.~BT" folder? And what about the 24H2 updates? Please advise.

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