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Update causing Windows Repair loop + no administrator

The latest Windows 10 update, after restart, doesn't let me log in to my computer. Windows seems to be stuck in a Windows Repair Mode loop, where every option simply results in Windows restarting and winding up at the same place.

A complication is that while "Continue to Windows 10" results in a restart, "Troubleshoot" and all the options it gives say "You need to sign in as an administrator account to continue, but there aren't any administrator accounts on this PC." Absurd situation.

The "forgotten your password or can't see your account?" option results in a restart and Windows Repair.

I've also tried booting Windows from the installation USB flash drive, but no luck.

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Hi Daniel_174
I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

A. Try performing Repair or Reset from Media creation tool if they can't be done as above. You will have to cut Media creation tool on another computer.

Refer to the section "Use installation media to restore or reset your PC "

Recovery options in Windows 10 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/12415/...

B. Last option could be a clean Install. This is the best method to perform a clean install of Windows 10. (If you want to rescue your files, there is a section Rescue Files when Windows Won't Start)

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

If you want a very lightweight guide - Start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Disclaimer - This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
Sincerely yours,
Vijay A. Verma @ https://excelbianalytics.com

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Hello Daniel,

I'm Independent Advisor and Microsoft MVP, here to help you with your question.

It seems you lost admin rights. See if this fix helps you:

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-lost-administrati...

Let us know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.
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Helping Windows users, since 2010 · Please remember to mark replies as answers, if they helps!

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Hi Kapil, thank you for your response. Unfortunately, the Command Prompt requires an administrator.

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Thanks for your reply Daniel.

You need to use Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) Command Prompt. For this, you can download Windows 10 ISO file and create bootable USB with it. Now boot from this media and try accessing Command Prompt.

Regards.
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Helping Windows users, since 2010 · Please remember to mark replies as answers, if they helps!

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Thanks for the help getting to the command prompt! Sadly, after the computer started again and went into repair mode, the options still said that there wasn't an admin account..

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Thanks for the response Vijay. However, I'm having trouble with System Restore. An error message popped up saying:

"To use System Restore, you must specify which Windows installation to restore.

Restart this computer, select an operating system, and then select System Restore."

After restarting the computer, it still returns to either the broken Windows Repair options, or the installation screen (if restarting with the installation media).

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Boot with windows  DVD , then  do start up repair .

if  it requires  administrator  account , your user  account is  admin account 

I am working as a Mathematics lecturer in a PU college.
Windows11_Pro_64bit_23H2_buildno_22631.3374_MS.office365_C2R_2401_v17231.20236_Intel_i5_13500_Nvidia3060_12GB_GDDR6_RAM_32GB_5600_Storage8TB.

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Sadly, I have multiple administrator accounts. The problem is that Windows doesn't recognize them (likely connected to the way it tries to tie admin accounts to microsoft accounts, resulting in many situations like this for no good reason other than some some silly corporate branding tactic to make microsoft accounts "cool").

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Go for next point B i.e. clean install.
Sincerely yours,
Vijay A. Verma @ https://excelbianalytics.com

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More bad news.... Weirdly, my PC is now stuck in a Windows installation loop. During the process of installation from a usb flash drive, the pc restarts and of course goes to the initial installation setup screen. Uh oh.

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Last updated April 1, 2024 Views 1,283 Applies to: