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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If your Windows PC will not start from a USB installation or recovery drive, first make sure the computer is actually trying to boot from that drive. If Windows Setup does open, choose Repair my PC to enter recovery tools instead of starting a reinstall. The exact boot-menu key and firmware settings vary by manufacturer and model, so use your PC maker’s instructions for those steps.
First, identify where startup stops
Note what appears on screen and when: a manufacturer logo, a firmware or BIOS screen, a “no boot device” message, Windows Setup, or a black screen. These point to different stages of startup. A failure before Windows begins loading is not necessarily caused by corrupted Windows; Microsoft notes that a startup process stuck at the BIOS phase may indicate a hardware problem. If the PC shows signs of hardware failure or never detects the USB drive, consult the manufacturer or a qualified repair service rather than repeatedly changing recovery settings.
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If the computer still reaches Windows, you can try selecting the USB device through Advanced startup. If it cannot reach Windows, use the manufacturer-specific boot menu or firmware instructions to select the USB drive.
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When Windows still opens
On Surface devices, Microsoft documents this route: Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. After restarting, choose Use a device > USB Storage. The exact screens and availability of this option can differ on other PCs; follow the instructions for your model.
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When Windows will not open
Turn on the PC and use its manufacturer-specific startup or boot-menu key, or enter firmware setup and select the USB drive. Keys and menu labels vary by model. If the USB device is not listed, check the manufacturer’s instructions for the boot order and whether booting from USB is enabled.
Create Windows installation media if you do not have recovery media
Use another working PC to create Windows installation media, following Microsoft’s instructions for the Windows version and device you need. The USB drive’s existing contents may be erased during setup, so copy any files you need elsewhere first. Do not treat Surface-specific drive sizes or formatting instructions as universal requirements for every Windows PC.
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- On the working PC, create Windows installation media on a USB drive using Microsoft’s instructions: Create installation media for Windows.
- Safely remove the prepared drive and connect it to the PC that will not start.
- Power on the affected PC and open its boot menu or firmware settings using the manufacturer’s instructions. Select the USB drive.
- If prompted, choose language and keyboard preferences. When Windows Setup appears, select Repair my PC rather than continuing into installation.
- If Setup does not appear, return to the boot menu or firmware instructions and check that the USB drive is selected and USB boot is allowed.
Run Startup Repair from Windows Recovery Environment
From the recovery screen, open Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Microsoft describes Startup Repair as a tool that can fix certain system problems that might prevent Windows from starting. It can diagnose and attempt repairs for common issues such as missing or damaged system files and corrupted boot configuration data, but it is not guaranteed to resolve every startup failure. See Microsoft’s Startup Repair guidance.
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If the device is encrypted with BitLocker, Windows may ask for the recovery key before allowing access to recovery tools. Find the key using Microsoft’s BitLocker recovery-key instructions.
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Choose the next recovery option based on what changed
Use the least destructive option that fits the timing and symptoms. The available choices depend on the Windows version and recovery environment.
If the problem began after a Windows update
In WinRE, look for Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates. Choose the applicable update option if the startup failure began immediately after an update. Microsoft explains the available recovery choices in its Windows recovery options.
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If a recent system change caused the failure
System Restore rolls back system files and settings to a restore point; it does not affect personal files. It may not be available if no restore point exists or the recovery environment cannot access one.
If other recovery options do not work
Reset this PC can offer a choice to keep personal files or remove everything, but either route can remove apps and settings. Read the prompts carefully before proceeding. An OEM or manufacturer recovery image may restore factory software and hardware-specific drivers that generic Windows media does not include; availability and effects vary by model.
If you reinstall Windows from installation media
A reinstall from installation media removes everything on the device, according to Microsoft’s reinstallation guidance. Do not proceed unless you understand the data-loss consequences and have saved anything you need.
| Option | Effect on personal files | Factory apps and model-specific drivers | What it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Repair | Not intended to remove personal files; it attempts to repair startup problems. | Does not restore factory software. | Access to WinRE; BitLocker key may be required. |
| System Restore | Does not affect personal files; rolls back system files and settings. | Does not restore a factory image. | An available restore point and access to recovery tools. |
| Reset this PC | Can keep personal files or remove everything, depending on the selected option. | Factory software and driver restoration depends on the reset source and device. | Access to the reset option in Windows or WinRE. |
| Manufacturer recovery image | May erase data; check the model-specific recovery instructions before starting. | May include factory apps and hardware-specific drivers. | A recovery image for that device and the manufacturer’s procedure. |
| Reinstall from Windows installation media | Removes everything on the device. | Generic media may not include the manufacturer’s factory apps or specific drivers. | Installation media created on a working PC. |
If the PC still will not boot from USB
- Confirm the selected device. Choose the USB drive itself in the boot menu, not just the firmware settings screen.
- Check whether USB boot is allowed. Enable it only using the manufacturer’s documented firmware instructions.
- Try another USB port or drive. This can help identify a faulty connection or drive.
- Recreate the media. A failed or incomplete creation process can leave the drive unusable as boot media.
- Use model-specific formatting guidance. For Surface devices, Microsoft’s instructions include checking Enable Boot from USB devices, the alternate boot sequence if configured, trying another drive, and checking FAT32 formatting. These are Surface-specific steps, not universal firmware labels.
- Consider a hardware fault. If firmware cannot detect known-good boot media or startup stops at the BIOS phase, Windows recovery may not address the underlying problem.
For Surface recovery drives, Microsoft says a drive of at least 16 GB is needed, with an 8 GB exception for Surface RT or Surface 2; the page also says 32 GB is sufficient for any Surface recovery image it describes. Those capacity figures apply to Surface recovery media, not as general requirements for all Windows installation media. See Microsoft’s Surface recovery-image instructions for the device-specific process.
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