Fix: Windows 8 fails to boot; Automatic Repair, Refresh, Reset PC also fail

Speed Up My PC

If your Windows 8 fails to boot, it will launch Automatic Repair, in order to attempt to repair Windows. In the event that Automatic Repair also fails, you will want to use the Refresh your PC or Reset your PC option. To do so, you will select Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset or Refresh.

Windows 8 fails to boot

Now even if Refresh your PC or Reset your PC options fail, you will be returned back to the WinRE screen. Such a situation could arise if your Windows Registry hive have been badly damaged or corrupted.

Refresh or Reset PC fails after Automatic Repair fails in Windows 8

In such a case, KB2823223 recommends that you try the following:

winre windows 8 1 400x262 Fix: Windows 8 fails to boot; Automatic Repair, Refresh, Reset PC also fail

From the WinRE screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

winre windows 8 2 400x260 Fix: Windows 8 fails to boot; Automatic Repair, Refresh, Reset PC also fail

Under Advanced options > Command Prompt.

winre windows 8 3 400x240 Fix: Windows 8 fails to boot; Automatic Repair, Refresh, Reset PC also fail

Use the CD command and change the directory to \Windows\System32\config folder as follows:

  • Type cd %windir%\system32\config and hit Enter.

winre cmd 400x232 Fix: Windows 8 fails to boot; Automatic Repair, Refresh, Reset PC also fail

Now you should rename the System and Software registry hives to System.001 and Software.001. To do so type the following command one after the other and hit Enter:

  • ren system system.001
  • ren software software.001

If you want to use Refresh your PC, rename ONLY the System hive. But in such a case, if your Software hive is also corrupt, you may not be able to use the Refresh your PC option. In such a case you may have to rename the Software hive too. When you rename the Software hive, you will not be able to use Refresh your PC, but only the Reset your PC option.

Finally type Exit to close the Command Prompt.

Reboot the PC back to the Automatic Repair screen.

Select > Advanced options > Troubleshoot > “Reset your PC” or “Reset your PC”, as you wish.

It should work!

Posted by on , in Category Windows with Tags , , ,
Anand aka HappyAndyK is an end-user Windows enthusiast, a Microsoft MVP in Windows Desktop Experience since 2007, and the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, TheGeeksClub.com & WinVistaClub.com. Creating a System Restore Point before trying out a new software or a tweak is always recommended.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/mbennehar Moussâb Bhr

    I’ve suffered from such a problem only two days ago, spent the whole day on it :’(

  • Brian S

    my computer wouldnt let me refresh win 8 after the dreaded repair loop, got a win8 iso form msoft, and installed it on a usb stick, got it to book to the advanced options, I just entered the above info and the refresh is doing a please wait., and isnt crashing. so supposedley its working. thank you

  • Giri

    Excuse me, but for your problem when you tried the system refresh, did it say this option is not supported on the operating system youve selected?

  • Jeff

    after i rename the software hive i get ” the process annot access the file because it is being used by another proccess” HELP!!!!!!!