Windows 7 Startup Issues Troubleshooting (7 Effective Ways)

What is startup repair and when could you use it?

Startup Repair is one of the recovery tools in the System Recovery Options menu. It is designed to fix certain problems such as missing or damaged system files used to load the operating system. When your computer fails to start, you can see the following window and ask you to launch startup repair. However, if you do not see the following window after your computer unsuccessfully boot, you need to manually run Startup Repair tool.

Although Startup Repair can fix certain system problems that prevent your computer from booting successfully, it cannot fix all problems, such as, problems related to malfunctioning firmware and other hardware components, clean Windows installation or Windows updates (e.g. from Windows XP to Windows 7), Windows logon errors, viruses and malicious software as well as hardware failures (e.g. failing hard disk, incompatible memory).

Windows 7 startup issues troubleshooting- how to do

Below you will learn 7 methods to fix Window 7 startup issues. Just try them one by one until the problem is solved. 

Method 1: Removing recently attached devices or external hardware

If you have recently attached a device to your computer, such as a camera, you need to remove it and restart your computer. If it’s the cause, your will boot as normal.

Besides, you still can try to remove all the external hardware from your computer, except for the mouse and keyboard. Then, restart your computer and ensure if your computer boot correctly.

Method 2: Using Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, Windows only load the most basic components, but you may find that a simple restart from safe mode will solve your problems.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Then, press F8 key repeatedly until you see the Advanced Boot Options.

Step 2. Select Safe Mode and hit Enter to start the operation.

Besides, in safe mode, you still can try to disable services in msconfig, run anti-virus software to remove viruses on your computer.

Method 3: Run msconfig

Recently added software running at startup may lead to the Windows 7 boot problems. You can try to disable startup services on msconfig.

Step 1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode. Click Start, type msconfig in the search box and select it.

Step 2. Go to the Startup or Services tab and click Disable all.

Step 3. Now, click Apply > OK >Restart to apply these changes on your computer.

Method 4: Running CHKDSK and SFC command prompt

Step 1. Go to Advanced Boot Options and select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type the following commands and hit Enter.

• chkdsk C: /r (C: refers the installation location of Windows operating system)

• sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Method 5: Using Last Known Good Configuration

To Windows 7 startup issues troubleshooting, you can use last known good configuration. It can load the drivers and registry data that worked well last time.

Step 1. Go to Advanced Boot Options.

Step 2. Select Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) and hit Enter to run the pending operation.

Method 6: Manually run startup repair

Step 1. Turn on your computer and press F8 key to see Windows Error Recovery menu.

Step 2. Select Launch Startup Repair (recommended) and hit Enter to run the recovery tool.

Step 3. Now, it will try to find the problems and fix it. If it cannot resolve it, you will see the following window and provide you some detailed information. You can do what is says. Or, you can click View advanced options for system recovery and supportand try other recovery tools.

Besides, you can also run startup repair with Windows installation media. If you do not know how to do, you can see Windows 7 boot repair via command prompt. This article will walk you through detailed steps.

Method 7: Using System Restore in Safe Mode

If Windows 7 startup problems after Update, you can try System Restore.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Then, pressF8key repeatedly as soon as your computer boots, but before the Windows logo appears.

Step 2. In the Advanced Boot Options window, select Safe Mode and hit Enter.

Step 3. Type system restore in the search box and select it.

Step 4. Tick Recommended restore option and click Next. The Recommended restore contains the most recent restore point, which can minimize your loses. If the restore point is corrupted or damaged, you can tick Choose a different restore point and follow the instructions to finish the rest of steps

Step 5. Check the settings and click Finish to start the restore process.

How to protect your computer to avoid mess-up in startup issues

To be honest, backup can ensure data security. Without it, there is a risk of losing data if your computer crashed. Now, create a backup for your computer and save it to external storage device, such as, USB flash drive. It’s very portable to carry.

In the beginning, I'll introduce you a free backup and restore software AOMEI Backupper Standard. It allows you to create all kinds of backup, including, system backup, file backup, partition backup, disk backup. In any backup, you can create a schedule backup, compress and encrypt backup, manage disk space.

More importantly, this software is very easy to use, even for beginner. You just need to open it and follow steps given below.

Step 1. Plug your USB flash drive into your computer and make sure it's recognized by your computer.

Step 2. Download AOMEI Backupper Standard, install and launch it.

Step 3. Click Backup and System Backup in order.You can also click File Backup, Partition Backup, Disk Backup.

Step 4. Modify the Task Name, click where the arrow point and select your USB drive as destination.

Step 5. Set up settings for your backup. At the bottom, you can see 3 options, includingBackup Options, Schedule, Scheme. You click them respectively and select what you need.

Notes:

1. Encryption is essential for personal files. But this is a paid function, you need to upgrade to AOMEI Backupper Professional.

2. Backing up at a regular time can make sure your data is up-to-date. There is a new feature called USB plug in, which allows you to backup data with a recognized USB drive. It will be much more convenient.

3. Differential Backup and Incremental Backup can save your disk space. And you can also try to delete old backups with Backup Scheme.

Step 6. Click Start Backup to start the pending operation.

Troubleshooting Windows 7 startup issues with recovery tools is difficult for beginner. But you can use free AOMEI Backupper. It's very easy to use, even for beginner. You can follow steps above to create a system backup and then restore system image backup from USB when needed.