It's a frustrating situation when your registry is corrupted and you don't have a backup. Since SFC /scannow relies on the registry, it's expected that it won't run correctly in this state. Here's a breakdown of what you can try to fix your computer:
1. Attempt Automatic Repair via Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
- Windows often tries to automatically repair startup issues. If your computer attempts to boot multiple times and fails, it should enter the Windows Recovery Environment.
- How to manually enter WinRE:
- Interrupt Startup: Repeatedly power your computer on and then forcefully shut it down (by holding the power button) as soon as you see the Windows logo or manufacturer's logo. Do this 2-3 times. The next time you start, it should go into the "Preparing Automatic Repair" mode.
- From Settings (if you can access it at all): Go to
Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
- Using Installation Media: If you have Windows installation media (USB drive or DVD), boot from it and on the initial setup screen, click "Repair your computer".
- In WinRE, try these options:
- Startup Repair: This is the first thing to try. It automatically diagnoses and fixes common startup problems.
- System Restore: Even though you mentioned no backup, Windows sometimes creates restore points automatically. Look for this option under
Troubleshoot > Advanced options. If there are any restore points listed, try restoring to the earliest one available. Note: System Restore won't affect your personal files but will remove applications, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point.
- Command Prompt: This gives you a command-line interface for advanced troubleshooting.
2. Use DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) Tool:
3. Attempt to Restore the Registry from the RegBack Folder (Less Likely to be Effective if Severely Corrupted):
- Windows used to automatically back up the registry to the
RegBack folder. However, this feature's reliability and availability vary across Windows 10 versions.
- Access Command Prompt in WinRE (as described above).
- Identify your Windows drive letter: It might not be
C: in the recovery environment. Use the dir command on different drive letters (e.g., dir C:, dir D:, etc.) to find the one containing the Windows folder. Let's assume it's C: for the following commands.
- Navigate to the
RegBack folder:cd C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack
- List the files to see if they are not zero size:
dir
You should see files like DEFAULT, SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, and SYSTEM. If their sizes are 0, this method won't work.
- Backup the current (corrupted) registry files:
md C:\Windows\System32\config\config_backup
copy C:\Windows\System32\config\* C:\Windows\System32\config\config_backup
- Copy the files from
RegBack to the config folder:copy * C:\Windows\System32\config\
- Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
4. Perform a Repair Install (If You Have Installation Media):
- A repair install (also known as an in-place upgrade) can reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files and applications.
- Boot from your Windows 10 installation media.
- On the setup screen, choose your language and other preferences, then click "Next".
- Click "Install now".
- Accept the license terms and click "Next".
- Choose the "Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications" option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair install.
5. Reset This PC (Keep My Files):
- If a repair install doesn't work or isn't an option, you can try the "Reset this PC" feature, with the option to "Keep my files".
- Access WinRE (as described in step 1).
- Go to
Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Choose "Keep my files". This will remove apps and settings but keep your personal files.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
6. Clean Install of Windows (Last Resort):
- If none of the above options work, a clean install is the most drastic step. This will erase everything on your system drive and install a fresh copy of Windows. Make sure to try and recover any important data from the drive before proceeding if possible (you might need to connect the hard drive to another working computer).
- You will need Windows 10 installation media (USB drive or DVD). You can create this using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft on another working computer.
- Boot from the installation media.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. Choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option and delete all existing partitions on your system drive before installing.
Important Considerations:
- Data Recovery: Before attempting any significant repair or reset, consider trying to recover your important files. You might be able to do this by booting into Safe Mode with Networking (if that's an option from the Advanced Boot Options) and backing up your data to an external drive or cloud storage. Alternatively, you might need to remove your hard drive and connect it to another working computer to copy your files.
- Driver Reinstallation: After a repair install or reset, you might need to reinstall some drivers for your hardware.
- Software Reinstallation: If you perform a "Reset this PC" (even with "Keep my files") or a clean install, you will need to reinstall all your applications.
It's a tough situation, but by systematically trying these steps, you have a good chance of getting your computer working again. Start with the least destructive options first (like Startup Repair and System Restore from WinRE) and move towards more involved solutions if necessary. Good luck!
