Can't boot into Winddows 10

[Trader86]

I paused Windows 10 updating for 3 weeks, then put  computer to sleep.  Tried later to awaken from sleep & received message that it had shut down abnormally & files were being rebuilt. After that, HP Diagnostics app appeared.  I tried all suggestions but couldn't get past that app into Win 10.  I booted up into the BIOS by continually pressing ESC during startup & tested most of available options but there didn't seem to  be any hardware or memory issues.  Trying to boot up in Safe Mode just brought me  back to the HP Diagnostics app.  

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If you don't have any important files on there, you can, with another Windows PC and a 32 GB USB flash drive make a bootable recovery drive using the HP cloud recovery tool.

Here is an info link on how to use that utility...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205

[Trader86]

Thanks for the rapid reply. I'll try implementing the solution over this weekend.  I do have important files hopefully backed up by File History and an external drive.  Is there any way to get my computer working without destroying these files?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you want to recover your files stored on the PC, you can clean install W10 by making bootable installation media using the media creation tool at the link below

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

When you get to the part of the installation that asks 'Where do you want to install Windows,' install it over the current Windows partition, and it will create a Windows.old folder.

After Windows has completed installing, you can explore the Windows,old folder, find your old user profile and you can copy your files and folders to the new profile or or a portable hard drive.

Then you can use the cloud recovery tool to set the drive to its 'out of the box condition, or leave it the way it is.

You can install the drivers and available software from your PC's support page.

[Trader86]

I'm not sure what is meant by "old user profile" or how to find it.

Also, the instructions at Microsoft don't talk about a Windows partition.  It seems to "find" it automatically (I think).

[Paul_Tikkanen]

During the installation process, Windows is going to ask 'Where do you want to install Windows.'

See item 18...

https://www.techblazing.com/how-to-install-windows-10/

When you install windows over the current Windows installation, it creates a Window.old folder.

You go to this PC>C:\>Windows.old>Users, and there you will find your old user profile.

[Trader86]

I have 5 drive 0 partitions.  Partition 3 is labeled "Windows."  "Type"  =  Primary.  Is that the one to install Windows in?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, you want to install Windows over the partition 3 Windows partition and it should create a Windows.old folder.

[Trader86]

Thank you so much for your help, patience & promptness in replying.  Windows has now  been installed & files accessed via Windows.old.  Now I have to download all previous applications.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.