After Windows Update I Cannot Log In

I have just updated my desktop PC which is an Acer Desktop running Windows 11.

As per usual after a Windows Update I had to do a Restart, which I did.

The PC went through the usual update process telling me the percentage progress and not to tun the PC off.

When the restart had completed I had the usual screen. You click on 'Enter' key on the keyboard and it brings up the three accounts. The last account logged in is the one it offers you but the other two are there. However, I do not have these options. I have also noticed that when I move the mouse there is no cursor moving around the screen, which there should be.

I could hear the hard drive whirring so I waited for it to go quiet in case I was trying to log in before it was ready. I waited 5 minutes but still the login option didn't appear.

So I decided to switch it off at the mains. I did that and waited a couple of minutes and two things happened that were unusual. When I switched the PC back on at the mains the PC came straight on. We've recently had two power cuts here and when the electricity came back on the PC did not. I had to press the power button to turn it back on. Plus the screen where I should log on came up immediately. It was almost as if the PC had never been switched off.

I tried a second option which was to turn the PC off my pressing the power button until it turned off. I left it off for 5 minutes. When I switched the PC back on it booted as normal until the screen where I log in but I still do not get the log in options.

I have no idea what to do. Help would be gratefully appreciated.

 

Take a look at: No Login Screen on Windows 11: 6 Solutions to Get it Back (windowsreport.com)

1. Check for Peripheral Issues:
- Disconnect all external devices (USB drives, printers, etc.) except for the keyboard and mouse.
- Restart your PC and see if the login screen appears.

2. Boot into Safe Mode:
- Turn off your PC.
- Turn it back on and immediately start pressing the F8 key (or Shift + F8) repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
- Select "Safe Mode with Networking" and press Enter.
- If you can log in, you might be able to troubleshoot the issue from there.

3. Run System File Checker and DISM:
- If you can access Safe Mode, open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete.
- Then, type `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth` and press Enter. Wait for this process to complete.
- Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

4. Disable Fast Startup:
- If you can log in, go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable."
- Uncheck "Turn on fast startup" and save changes.
- Restart your PC.

5. Perform a System Restore:
- If you have a restore point from before the update, you can try restoring your system to that point.
- Boot into Safe Mode and search for "System Restore" in the Start menu.
- Follow the prompts to restore your system.

6. Check for Updates:
- Sometimes, a subsequent update can fix issues caused by a previous one.
- If you can log in, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

 

I cannot boot into Safe Mode.

I have tried what you said.

I thought pressing F8 did not work in Windows 11.

Anyway it certainly is not working for me.

 

Ah tes, F8 doesn't work for Windows 11 due to the change in boot from traditional BIOS to UEFI. Presumably, control-alt-delete or control-shift-escape don't work at your "login" screen?

Another way to enter Safe Mode in Windows 11 is by using a USB stick or DVD with the Windows 11 setup. Use the one you already have, or make one now if you can, on another computer. Then, use it to boot your PC, select the language and keyboard layout you prefer, and click or tap Next. Next, click or tap the “Repair your computer” link from the bottom-left corner of the Windows Setup window. On the “Choose an option” screen, select Troubleshoot. On the “Advanced options” screen, choose “Command Prompt (Use the Command Prompt for advanced troubleshooting).” and type in the command "bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal". Close the Command Prompt and click or tap the Continue button on the next screen. Wait for your computer or device to restart and watch Windows 11 enter Safe Mode.

IMPORTANT: If you use this method, Windows 11 will go into Safe Mode each and every time it starts. If you want it to start normally again, you must disable this setting by running this command:

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
You can execute it from Windows 11’s Safe Mode

See How to boot Windows 11 in Safe Mode (8 ways) - Digital Citizen

 

Thank you. I'm going to have to read your instructions several times until I understand them. Plus I don't know how long this will take. It's Friday evening where I am and I don't want to start it now. It's highly unlikely I'll do it on Saturday. So Sunday is when it's likely to get done. Therefore, if I haven't replied in the next day or two it isn't because I've ignored your advice or that I've followed it, my PC is Ok and I haven't bothered reporting this fact. I will inform you of the outcome.

I just want to ask if everything on the problem PC will be Ok? I've some important stuff on there which I really don't want to lose.

Thank you for your help and support.

 

I'm afraid I have two more questions. I don't have the USB stick or DVD you mention so I'll have to make one. Does the operating system on the computer I will use matter? I have one other PC. It is a laptop but it's Windows 10. If I have to do it on a Windows 11 PC I'll have to ask someone to allow me temporary use of their computer.

I don't have a USB drive. Must I use one because I shall have to purchase one. I do have an external hard drive that connects via USB. Could I use that?

 

It doesn't matter which system you create the bootable device. The bootable device (USB stick, USB drive, DVD, etc.) can be anything that your Windows 11 system can boot from. For instructions see here: How to Create Bootable Windows Installation Media For Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 - MajorGeeks and Download Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool - MajorGeeks and How to Boot Windows 11 from USB: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners - Solve Your Tech

 

Today was my first opportunity to fix this problem. I clicked on your first link and I didn't like what I read. I didn't like it in that it reads to me as if I'll be doing a clean instal of Windows. Have I read it correctly? I may be wrong but it sounds to me like I'll lose everything I have on my PC. I don't want that to happen. I have too many things stored on there that I don't want to lose. Is that what will happen if I do what you recommend?

 

The idea here is to create an independent bootable media so that you boot from that instead of from your main disk. Then use that to repair your main Windows installation. Perhaps this is a better link: How to Repair Windows 11 from USB: A Step-By-Step Guide - Live2Tech - the original links are still relevant on creating a bootable device. When you do a repair using the "Repair your computer" option, this generally doesn’t erase your files,

 

Thank you. You've put my mind at rest. I'd have anticipated you saying sorry you're going to lose everything if that was the case so was happy to go along with it. But been mad at work this week, plus I've got a cold, something I've not had for years, and my head feels full of clouds rather thn anything sensible. The link I referred to sounded like it made a clean install of Windows, which lead me to think everything would be cleaned. I'm not the most knowledgeable about IT. As a user I'm fine but when things go wrong I'm out of my depth. At a previous employer an IT techician used to sort all my probs but I know no one now who can. So I am grateful for your help. Want my PC repaired now but looking like early next week when I can do it.

 

I have visited the link you mention in post #9. Unfortunately, in the guide there is no link to the software he says should be downloaded. I am not sure what I should be downloading from Microsoft. Could you please advise?

 

I presume you mean

Links are in this article from here: How to Create Bootable Windows Installation Media For Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 - MajorGeeks

 

Yes, thank you, that is what I wanted the download link for.

 

I have managed to get into my PC. I was moaning about the situation at work and someone told me if you turn your PC off and on several times it will give you a screen to log in to the PC. I tried and it effectively logged me into Safe Mode. So my initial probelm is resolved. I am logged back into my PC. I have also paused Windows Updates.

I now intend to back up my PC so if I have any further issues I will have my data saved.

Any suggestions on what I might do so find out what caused my problem? Perhaps, if the problem could be found I would then be able to find a way to fix it.