How to Fix a Broken OS After a Windows Update: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Fix a Broken OS After a Windows Update: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you struggling with a broken operating system (OS) after the latest Windows update? Fret not! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to help you fix the issue and get your computer back up and running.

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

First and foremost, you’ll want to boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to troubleshoot problems while using only the essential system services.

To boot into Safe Mode:

  1. Restart your computer.
  2. Press the F8 key repeatedly (or Shift + F8 on some systems) while the computer is booting up until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
  3. Select “Safe Mode with Networking” and press Enter.

Step 2: Uninstall the Problematic Update

Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can try to uninstall the update that caused the issue.

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
  3. Click “View installed updates” on the left side.
  4. Locate the problematic update, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall”. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

Step 3: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Running the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can help you identify and repair corrupted system files.

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
  2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. The process will scan and attempt to repair any corrupted system files.
  3. After SFC completes, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter. This command will check for further corruption and repair it using Windows Update.

Step 4: Perform a System Restore

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you can try performing a System Restore to revert your computer to a previous state.

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type “rstrui.exe”, and press Enter to open System Restore.
  2. Choose a restore point from before the update was installed and follow the instructions to restore your system.

Step 5: Clean Installation of Windows

If all else fails, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows.

  1. Backup your important data to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Create a bootable Windows installation media using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website.
  3. Boot your computer from the installation media and follow the instructions to perform a clean installation of Windows.

Please note that these steps are provided as general guidance and may not work for every situation. If you continue to experience issues, it’s recommended to consult PC Mechanic or reach out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

We hope that this guide has been helpful in resolving your broken OS issue. Good luck, and happy computing!