How do I recover from black desktop after WUD?

papilio · 31 Aug 2017

Several weeks ago after MS installed the fairly massive (1hr+) WUD I logged on to a black desktop -- only a cursor, no start menu or taskbar and the only way to navigate my PC was via the File>Run new task command in Task Manager after using Ctl+Alt+Del. I spent a good deal of time Googling the problem without discovering a successful resolution and I ended up Restoring the previous version of Windows in order to return to a functioning system.

Since then I had been delaying this or any other updates but last night decided to give it another go. Same problem but this time I can no longer return to a previous version of Windows 10. Before running the update again I had created a restore point but after the update it was no longer available.

Are there some things I might try before resorting to a PC Reset? Thank you!

Caledon Ken · 31 Aug 2017

Hi papilio. Welcome to the TenForums @papilio

You could try a couple of different routes.

One is to boot into Safe Mode through the Advance Startup Options. Easiest way to kick it off, hold shift key down and click restart. (You might also try CRTL+ALT+DEL, hope this shows, then click power icon, then hold shift and click restart.)

If you can't do that you need to power you device on and as soon as you see spinning dots hold power button down until it dies. Restart, see spinning dots, hold power key until it dies. On the third try Windows should present menu. If none of these work please stop. Had a member do some other things and it cost him his build.

Once there you basically uninstall the graphics driver and software and install an older nvidia driver.

Tutorial on advance Startup Options.

Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10

A recommended driver - Nvidia graphics driver version 378.49 from 20/1/2017. You will have to download this and have it available.

Assuming this works you will have to tell nvida to stop updating drivers, I thing that is done in GForce experience, (I don't have NVidia) and you will have to tell Windows to lay off the driver updates.

I found this article and this is what I'm using in 1703 not stop driver updates. It must be working as my Wi-Fi card requires an ancient driver and I know there are current updates, I get the most recent one every major update, like V1703.

https://www.howtogeek.com/302595/how...dware-drivers/

In the article quite a ways down there is a link labelled “Disable Automatic Driver Updates Hacks”
This downloads a zip file with two registry hacks. Read the paragraph above the link. I used the hack on my V1703 (Creators). Likely have to run Hack after each major update, Anniversary, Creator, XXXX.

The second option, again contained in the Advance Startup Options, is to go back to a previous build. You will see a large red arrow in the screen shots showing you how to get this panel.

Ken

papilio · 31 Aug 2017

Thank you Caledon Ken for your thoughtful reply! Hadn't come across the graphics driver angle.

I'll give your suggestions a shot. Much appreciated! :)