What to do when you upgrade to Windows 11 and it won’t boot
If you upgrade to Windows 11 and it does not start, you can repair it by launching the repair function, repairing it by booting in safe mode, uninstalling the feature update, and returning to the previous Windows. This page introduces what to do when you upgrade to Windows 11 and it does not start.
See the separate page below for how to return Windows 11 to Windows 10.
Upgraded to Windows 11 and won’t boot
If it becomes difficult to start after upgrading to Windows 11, there is a high possibility that Windows can be started by returning to Windows before the upgrade.
Launch recovery function
There are three ways to activate the recovery function: forced shutdown by power operation, installation media, and recovery drive. This section introduces activation of the recovery function by a power operation that does not require media.
- Turn on the computer’s power switch, and when the startup screen (spinning) is displayed, press and hold the power button until it shuts down to “force shutdown”.
* Forced termination must be performed twice or more in succession.The timing of pressing the power button for forced shutdown is to turn off the power by pressing and holding the power button when the startup screen or ” spinning ” screen is displayed.
* Depending on the computer, the Windows logo may not be displayed, and the manufacturer’s logo or nothing may be displayed.
* Even if the computer is running, but the Windows boot screen is not even displayed, try “Force Quit”.Forcibly terminate the computer two or more times in a row, and if “Preparing automatic repair” or “Please wait” is displayed, wait as it is. Depending on the version and environment, “Please wait” may be displayed, the automatic repair described below may not be executed, and the “Recovery” screen may be displayed immediately, but there is no problem.If Automatic Repair is launched, the startup screen will say “Preparing Automatic Repair” and then “Diagnosing your PC”. If “Recovery” is displayed, proceed to the next step (2).
It may take quite some time during the diagnosis, but just wait.
- When the Automatic Repair screen appears, click Advanced options.* Depending on the PC environment, the “Recovery” screen may appear, but click “Show advanced options”.
- Click “Troubleshoot” and then click “Advanced options” on the next screen.
This is the end of the instructions for launching the repair function. The next step is to boot into Safe Mode and go back to the previous Windows.
Try booting in safe mode
If you can’t boot after upgrading to Windows 11, it may be caused by antivirus software or drivers. If you start in safe mode, you may be able to start Windows 11 by uninstalling antivirus software.
Boot back to previous Windows
When Advanced options appear, click Uninstall updates.
Depending on the edition and execution environment of the repair function, it may be necessary to select the administrator user and enter the “password”.
When the account selection screen appears, select a user with administrator privileges, enter the password, and click Continue.
On the Uninstall updates screen, click “Uninstall the latest feature update”.
When “Uninstall the latest feature update” is displayed, click “Uninstall the feature update”.
*If you click here, you will not be able to cancel the uninstallation.
“Preparing to uninstall the latest Windows feature update.” is displayed, so wait as it is.
After the uninstall is ready, you will see “Restoring previous version of Windows…” after rebooting. This process will take some time, but be patient.
“Restoring the previous version of Windows…” ends and automatically restarts, and the previous Windows boot screen is displayed.
If you sign in and successfully see the previous Windows home screen, the repair is complete.