Can't repair Win10 installation, fighting me!

johnnyzero · 05 Jun 2023

I'm afraid I don't quite understand how that program would help me make this Windows installation bootable again. Maybe by replacing the existing registry hives with older backup copies or something? Please explain, if you can.

FreeBooter · 05 Jun 2023

If you can copy registry hive form shadow copy, you can replace it existing registry hives in C:\Windows\System32\Config folder.

johnnyzero · 05 Jun 2023

Ok, that's what I thought you meant. At this point, I suppose it can't hurt to try. Would you suggest I replace *all* the hives, or just SYSTEM, SOFTWARE, or whatever?

FreeBooter · 05 Jun 2023

Replace System and Software hives will do.

johnnyzero · 06 Jun 2023

Dude - that worked. Thank you!

I'm actually quite surprised. I had assumed that, like so many Windows installations that are blue-screening on startup, the problem was due to missing and/or corrupted system files that could using be repaired using SFC/DISM, etc. And I spent way too much time trying to do that. I never thought it could be registry-related.

From now on, I'm definitely going to add ShadowExplorer to my bag of tricks when dealing with non-booting Windows installations. I'll probably use it as my method of last resort, since I assume that restoring those registry hives from older backup copies could break certain things and/or introduce some instability.

In any case, all's well that ends well. I really appreciate all your help with this debacle. I owe you a beer!

FreeBooter · 06 Jun 2023

johnnyzero said:

Dude - that worked. Thank you!

I'm actually quite surprised. I had assumed that, like so many Windows installations that are blue-screening on startup, the problem was due to missing and/or corrupted system files that could using be repaired using SFC/DISM, etc. And I spent way too much time trying to do that. I never thought it could be registry-related.

From now on, I'm definitely going to add ShadowExplorer to my bag of tricks when dealing with non-booting Windows installations. I'll probably use it as my method of last resort, since I assume that restoring those registry hives from older backup copies could break certain things and/or introduce some instability.

In any case, all's well that ends well. I really appreciate all your help with this debacle. I owe you a beer!

I'm glad to hear that the problem resolved!