Updating with Anniversary Update has resulted in solid blue screen


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Updating with Anniversary Update has resulted in solid blue screen


    This is happening on my PC that meets or exceeds all minimum requirements for installing Windows 10. All three of the household laptops updated with no problems (I'm using one now). I was very happy with Windows 10.

    Cannot use any controls like Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

    No left click - no right click.

    Cannot access the menu because the screen is solid blue.

    No BSOD error message - just a solid blue screen.

    Suggestions??
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hello, your options appear to be very limited.

    First priority: do you have a full backup of all data on that PC? If not, that could be the first thing to deal with either by booting your PC from an external bootable medium (DVD/CD/flash drive) such as the one at the top of the Sotfware and Apps section here, or by accessing your disk from another PC. (I'd prefer the first of those).

    Have you been using disk or system imaging? We very strongly and repeatedly recommend this technique, as it gives people a second chance to recover without needing technical help by restoring a previously created image. E.g. Macrium Reflect (free).

    Assuming you haven't yet discovered how valuable doing that routinely can be, you can try this:
    Download and create a bootable Win 10 installation medium if you don't already have one (recommended).
    Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums

    Boot your system using that, and attempt a start-up repair.
    Startup Repair - Run in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
    (Click on link in 1 for guidance on using a disk/flash drive).

    Note: you will almost certainly not have any system restore points remaining, assuming you had S Restore on previously, assuming the update completed, as it's a new Windows build.

    Assessment: how difficult would it be to do a clean install? Do you have much installed or configured?

    Please read this:
    Anniversary update fails, leaving system unbootable - Windows 10 Forums

    Note the comment about the partition size.

    Having noted that Win 10 seems to create a second recovery partition on an upgrade, I recommend leaving 500Mb min unallocated on a system disk for upgrades. I've no particular justification for that- just observation. Shouldn't be sthg we have to worry about. Hmm.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for your response - sorry for my late reply.

    Yes, I've been able to recover all of my important data by removing my primary hard drive and using my BlacX device to copy all of that data to my laptop.

    I made a Win 10 ISO download on a USB drive and during each attempt to install I kept getting a message that the install wouldn't initialize.

    What do I have to do to do a clean install? Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Hi:
    Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

    Make sure you delete all Windows partitions (but not any data partitions).

    The Tutorial section offers many clear guides to help with many issues- do take a look.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Okay - I was able to reinstall my old Win 7 using my installation CD and activation key. Obviously, everything else is gone from my PC's primary hard drive.

    Question: If I now attempt to install Win 10 from the USB drive I created earlier, will I be prompted to enter an activation key? If so, what is my recourse with Microsoft since it was their Win 10 Anniversary Update that screwed up my PC?

    Thanks again for taking the time to help me.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Hi, if you wanted to install Win 10, there was no need to install '7. The tutorial I quoted above shows you how to do a clean install.

    Lots of people have had lots of problems with the anniversary update and MS has been trying fix things with VERY large subsequent updates- which have also been problematic in not downloading or not installing. Just search for
    Windows anniversary problems
    or look at the threads in this forum.

    Naturally you could
    a. Give feedback via the feedback app
    b. Comment on MS's technet site
    c. Spend megabucks instructing a US lawyer.....
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Final post for this thread - success!

    Thanks to having a verified copy of Windows 7 on my PC's hard drive, I was able to go to the site noted in the following article:

    https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-...tive-features/

    - and download a FREE copy of Windows 10 and install it. Win 10 installed cleanly and updated to the latest version. I'm now in the process of reinstalling all of my programs and transferring all of my files.

    Thanks for your help!
      My Computer


 

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