Can't login after Windows 10 update

I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Here are steps to recover from failed Updates or Version Update install which causes Windows to fail to start:

1) Try whichever method works here to get into Advanced Startup Options to run System Restore if this is a Windows Update, or Go Back to Old Version if this is a version update. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

If you are able to access System Restore or Go Back and it fails, skip to step 3.

2) If necessary create bootable installation media to access the repair options if not accessible by any other method: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

Boot media by powering up the PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

You may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup to turn off Fast Boot if it won't allow the Boot Menu key to interrupt starting Windows: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

Choose UEFI version of media if offered, browse to second screen to Repair Your Computer link, then Advanced Troubleshoot options to run System Restore to a point before the problem began, or choose More Options to Go Back to Old Version if this was a version Update.

If it rolls back then you can hide the Windows Updates and Version Upgrade responsible until they mature by installing and running immediately the Hide Updates tool: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...

3) If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows.

4) If that fails you can use the booted media to do the Clean Install the latest version which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... This link compiles the best possible install of Windows 10 that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given.

Once you're back in Windows 10, you can block the problem Windows or Version Update using one of these methods: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...

At any time you can rescue your files (which should always be backed up if you value them at all) using the booted media and following this method: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...


Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I'll keep working with you until it's resolved.

Go to a working computer, download, create a bootable copy, then perform a clean install.

Step 1: How to download official Windows 10 ISO files
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Step 2: create a bootable copy
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wik...

Step 3: If there are files on the drive you want to recover, see - How to: Perform a Custom install of Windows 10
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

Hi Maskitoe,

Start PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt . . . etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see of Windows will boot . . .

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Repair
See if Windows startup can repair itself

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore
Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

If you do not have a Restore Point, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Settings and click Restart
Upon restart, press 4 to enter Safe Mode
Once in Safe Mode, backup your data if you do not already have a backup
Open Device Manager and check to make sure all your Drivers are up to date
Reboot to see if Windows will start Normally

If the above fails, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC
Choose to keep your files and apps, just your files or to keep nothing
Then start the Reset

If the problem is after login disappear it may be that Windows is finishing the update (I too received a black screen but with a rectangle in the top left corner with various update progression - the longest was windows desktop update). Leave things for 10-20 minutes to see if the desktop appears, if not go to the next step.
If you can log in via safe mode the solution is to turn off use sign-in info to auto finish setting up device after update or restart in Windows 10.
For Windows 10 (Version 1709), select the Start button, select Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then make sure Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart is turned off.
For previous versions of Windows 10, select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Window Update > Advanced options, then select the check box next to Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update.
Another potential solution is to remove any USB devices (wireless mouse, keyboard, external hard drive/s) & wait to see if boot continues, if not then to restart with devices still disconnected (if possible).

I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Here are steps to recover from failed Updates or Version Update install which causes Windows to fail to start:

1) Try whichever method works here to get into Advanced Startup Options to run System Restore if this is a Windows Update, or Go Back to Old Version if this is a version update. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

If you are able to access System Restore or Go Back and it fails, skip to step 3.

2) If necessary create bootable installation media to access the repair options if not accessible by any other method: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

Boot media by powering up the PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

You may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup to turn off Fast Boot if it won't allow the Boot Menu key to interrupt starting Windows: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

Choose UEFI version of media if offered, browse to second screen to Repair Your Computer link, then Advanced Troubleshoot options to run System Restore to a point before the problem began, or choose More Options to Go Back to Old Version if this was a version Update.

If it rolls back then you can hide the Windows Updates and Version Upgrade responsible until they mature by installing and running immediately the Hide Updates tool: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...

3) If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows.

4) If that fails you can use the booted media to do the Clean Install the latest version which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... This link compiles the best possible install of Windows 10 that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given.

Once you're back in Windows 10, you can block the problem Windows or Version Update using one of these methods: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...

At any time you can rescue your files (which should always be backed up if you value them at all) using the booted media and following this method: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...


Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I'll keep working with you until it's resolved.

Hi Greg,

Apologies for the late reply.

I tried a number of the options you suggested but a system restore wouldn't work.

In the end I had to create a bootable media and do a system repair.

I reinstalled all the Apps that were removed by the system repair.

My data was untouched which was great!

Thanks very much for your suggestions.

If the problem is after login disappear it may be that Windows is finishing the update (I too received a black screen but with a rectangle in the top left corner with various update progression - the longest was windows desktop update). Leave things for 10-20 minutes to see if the desktop appears, if not go to the next step.
If you can log in via safe mode the solution is to turn off use sign-in info to auto finish setting up device after update or restart in Windows 10.
For Windows 10 (Version 1709), select the Start button, select Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then make sure Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart is turned off.
For previous versions of Windows 10, select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Window Update > Advanced options, then select the check box next to Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update.
Another potential solution is to remove any USB devices (wireless mouse, keyboard, external hard drive/s) & wait to see if boot continues, if not then to restart with devices still disconnected (if possible).

A system repair fixed my problem.

Thanks for your help

Hi Maskitoe,

Start PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt . . . etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see of Windows will boot . . .

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Repair
See if Windows startup can repair itself

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore
Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

If you do not have a Restore Point, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Settings and click Restart
Upon restart, press 4 to enter Safe Mode
Once in Safe Mode, backup your data if you do not already have a backup
Open Device Manager and check to make sure all your Drivers are up to date
Reboot to see if Windows will start Normally

If the above fails, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC
Choose to keep your files and apps, just your files or to keep nothing
Then start the Reset

A system repair fixed my problem.

Thanks!

None of the solutions below FIXES the problem. 

They just let you access your computer by reverting back to your PRE-update state.  

Does that mean you can never update your Windows 10?  Seems so!

I have tried adding 3 other login methods including picture, PIN, and Facial Recognition.. all fail after the update.  

I have tried turning the login password OFF.. and that didn't work either!

I paid a fortune for this 32 gig, touchscreen laptop with 4 TB drives and two cameras.. with Windows 10 factory installed.. and I can't update the software?  That is insane and unacceptable. 

As always, Microsoft doesn't acknowledge the problem, nor do they fix the problem.  

I wonder how many businesses have clicked on "restart and update".. lost everything on their computer.. and gone out of business?