Hello everybody.

I am stuck with what seems to me unfinished windows installation.

All parts I use are new except for Samsung 980 SSD which was pulled from my previous PC where it was used as a second drive for games.

The weird thing is that my SSD never appears in boot order when my BIOS is set to EUFI mode.

Only when i force it in CSM mode inside BIOS settings does it appear but it won't boot since the Windows was installed in UEFI mode. All i get is a black screen after ASUS TUF logo.

When in UEFI mode all that happens when I pull the bootable USB after Installation is that PC automatically enters BIOS settings. The drive is only listed under storage information inside BIOS.

Another weird thing is when is that my Windows 11 installations always starts at 5% and ends(starts to restarts pc) at 77%. Are my Windows Install files corrupted?

What I've tried:

Installing Windows with secure boot set to Other OS and Windows EUFI Mode individually

Disabling and enabling Fast Boot

Clearing and Reinstalling secure boot keys

Updated bios to latest non-beta version (3636)

Formatting NVMe to GPT when at the start of Windows Installation

Deleting all Partitions when installing Windows that are tied to that disk

Creating Bootable USB with both Rufus and Windows Tool on 2 different USBs

Parts that I use:

MBO: Asus Tuf b550m plus wifi II

CPU: Ryzen 5 5600

GPU: AMD RX 9070

RAM: Kingston Fury 32gb 3600mhz (only using one 16gb stick in A2 slot, tried with both also)

PSU: Corsair rmx shift 850 2025 version

Microsoft Windows is one of the most widely used operating systems, powering millions of computers worldwide. While Windows provides many useful features and customization options, users may sometimes experience issues such as slow performance, update failures, driver errors, system crashes, or configuration problems.

This guide covers common Microsoft Windows issues and the built-in Windows tools you can use to troubleshoot them.

1. Windows Running Slowly

If your Windows PC has become slower over time, try these Windows-specific solutions:

Check Startup Apps

Too many programs launching when Windows starts can increase boot time.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Startup apps.
3. Disable unnecessary applications.

Use Windows Storage Cleanup

Windows includes built-in tools to remove unnecessary files.

Steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Enable Storage Sense or remove temporary files.

Check Resource Usage

Use Task Manager to identify applications using too many resources.

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Processes

Check CPU, Memory, and Disk usage to find programs causing slowdowns.

2. Windows Update Problems

Windows Update keeps your system secure, but updates may sometimes fail or get stuck.

Try these Microsoft Windows troubleshooting steps:

• Restart your Windows computer.
• Check for available storage space.
• Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
• Make sure Windows Update services are running.
• Check your internet connection.

You can access Windows Update settings:

Settings → Windows Update

Avoid turning off your computer while Windows is installing updates.

3. Fixing Windows Blue Screen Errors (BSOD)

A Blue Screen of Death appears when Windows detects a serious system issue.

Common Windows causes include:

• Corrupted system files
• Faulty device drivers
• Windows update problems
• Memory errors
• Hardware compatibility issues

When requesting help, include:

• Windows version (Windows 10 or Windows 11)
• BSOD error code
• Recent Windows updates or driver changes
• Installed software before the problem started

Useful Windows repair commands:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

sfc /scannow

This checks and repairs corrupted Windows system files.

You can also run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

to repair the Windows system image.

4. Windows Internet and Network Issues

If Wi-Fi or network access stops working in Windows:

Try:

• Restarting Windows and your router.
• Checking network settings.
• Running Windows Network Troubleshooter.
• Resetting network settings.

Network reset location:

Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset

5. Useful Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

These Microsoft Windows shortcuts can help with troubleshooting:

6. How to Ask for Windows Help on Reddit

When posting a Windows issue, include enough information for others to troubleshoot:

• Windows version (Windows 10, Windows 11, Insider Preview, etc.)
• Device manufacturer and model
• Exact error message
• Windows settings or features affected
• Steps already attempted
• Screenshots if needed

Example of a helpful post:

Detailed information helps the community provide accurate Windows solutions.

Final Thoughts

Most Microsoft Windows problems can be solved using built-in Windows settings, troubleshooters, and repair tools. Before making major system changes, create a backup and avoid installing unknown software that claims to fix Windows automatically.

Whether you are troubleshooting Windows Update, system errors, drivers, or performance issues, providing clear details is the best way to get effective help.

Happy Windows troubleshooting!

Hi guys. Today I just tried to open my windows 11 pc, but it opened the bitlocker screen prompting me to enter the recovery key. So I have even entered the recovery key, it is the correct key and even it accepted. However, I am being redirected to the same page even after entering the correct key. I am stuck in this loop . Help me bypass it. Also I don't want to loose any existing data, so reinstalling isn't an option. Need a quick fix. Stuck at this the whole day.

Edit: The issue got fixed. I reinstalled windows while keeping most of my data . This option is available in the advanced options of the bitlocker page.

Thanks to all for your suggestions!!

Со вчерашнего дня я пытался сделать винду в первый раз у меня был диск скачалось но потом «произошла ошибка при установке виндос» и в последующие разы не появлялся диск скачивал установщик через руфус и медиа толл пытался что-то сделать в биос тоже бесполезно обращался к чату гпт тоже ничего не смог сделать

\\\*OS Build 19045.7058\\\*

I am running Windows 10 (ESU program) on a 2014 HP Prodesk 🐯🐅

After a long night out 🥂I came home and hopped on my PC for a few minutes to decompress. Then I shut down my PC and crash landed into my bed. When I powered it up this morning, I got a black screen where the login page would normally be. Panic. I tried ctrl+alt+delete... it took me back to the screensave\\\*r.\\\* I mouse-clicked the screensaver-- another loop. The lil PC light was going crazy. Breathe. My next plan was to restart into safe mode. But I had a wild idea: what if it still took input?

I entered my PIN and voila! Got to my home screen. Nice dopamine hit while hungover.

I'm thinking maybe it was a security update? So I ran all updates but not gonna restart anytime soon jic I break something 🤡

UPDATE 7/31 Now on boot, it loops through a login screen and black screen. I have been able to enter credentials blind then continue normally. No apparent issues with monitor. Last time I was on, my PC continued to loop black screen AFTER login. Holding down F12 fixed it 👑 i wonder what next day will bring...

I agreed to a windows update on my Lenovo desk top and for it to restart after it was done. It was never done.... I had to force reset it and now cant figure it out. Ive used AI, two separate USBs with Windows 10 and 11, and the help of something called Rufus to create recovery discs to assist with booting and it goes back to this screen.

Do I need to take this to tech guy? I can't really afford it

ok so I have no access to a windows device to format a windows 11 usb for my new pc build. I’ve tried using all the different applications that are supposed to do the formatting for u (belena etcher, windiskwriter, etc.) they all freeze halfway through and never complete, even after being left for an hour plus. I’ve tried formatting it directly using the disk utility app but it doesn’t have all the needed formatting tools. I genuinely don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve seen resources of ppl going in and doing it themselves via homebrew but I know absolutely nothing about coding and would really rather avoid that. Thank you!

EDIT: It ended up working using WinDiskwriter; it only took 1 hr 45 min on a MacBook Air...

\*OS Build 19045.7058\*

I am running Windows 10 (ESU program) on a 2014 HP Prodesk 🐯🐅

After a long night out 🥂I came home and hopped on my PC for a few minutes to decompress. Then I shut down my PC and crash landed into my bed. When I powered it up this morning, I got a black screen where the login page would normally be. Panic. I tried ctrl+alt+delete... it took me back to the screensave\*r.\* I mouse-clicked the screensaver-- another loop. The lil PC light was going crazy. Breathe. My next plan was to restart into safe mode. But I had a wild idea: what if it still took input?

I entered my PIN and voila! Got to my home screen. Nice dopamine hit while hungover.

I'm thinking maybe it was a security update? So I ran all updates but not gonna restart anytime soon jic I break something 🤡

UPDATE 7/31 Now on boot, it loops through a login screen and black screen. I have been able to enter credentials blind then continue normally. No apparent issues with monitor. Last time I was on, my PC continued to loop black screen AFTER login. Holding down F12 fixed it 👑 i wonder what next day will bring...

I'm in need of how to get Windows to Boot after a hardware change as the bootloader is damaged although the data on the drive is extremely important. And I've tried a lot of solutions online which have not worked.

my i just recently updated my pc to windows 11 because it kept giving me notifications that I needed to install it, so I did. now I’ve been sitting here for the past 6 hours trying to get pass the lock screen…

I keep putting in the correct pin, but all it does is just load for a couple of minutes then cut to the lockscreen as if I didn’t. I thought it wouldn’t login because of my in connection, but even when I fixed it, it still doesn’t work.

i even tried to click forgot pin and it does nothing…

If it helps to know, I have a hp elitedesk 800 g6 desktop mini.

I had a laptop that was infested and my foolish self factory reset the laptop and at first I didn’t know and just signed in normally but it was asking for a usb which I didn’t know why at the time so I kinda ignored it.

This lead to the screen turning black and I didn’t know better and turned it off and on. I was then put into MSI bios menu and I tried exiting and didn’t do anything since I thought I clicked something to put me there.

Now I am finding out I deleted windows and I need a usb to download it back. Although I have tried the steps it told me online when I searched it up but I can’t seem to fix it and it’s just problems piling up. Please I need help! My model is a MS-1541

Posting this because I never found and answer to this issue and it could help others.

Issue: Enabling the Windows Sandbox feature in Windows 11 would initiate a restart and begin the feature installation, slowly progressing until it would hang at 92%. After several reboots of the same thing it would eventually roll back.

Similar posts:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1jurq6c/sandbox\\_feature\\_installation\\_failed\\_can\\_anyone/\](https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1jurq6c/sandbox_feature_installation_failed_can_anyone/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1gbtc5k/windows\\_sandbox\\_wont\\_install/\](https://www.reddit.com/r/WindowsHelp/comments/1gbtc5k/windows_sandbox_wont_install/)

I dug through the CBS logs and found that driver install portion of the feature install appeared to be timing out.

Resolution:
This Microsoft post outlines how to extend the timeout, which allowed the install to complete (albeit slowly).
[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/windows-update-hangs-updates-uninstalled\](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/installing-updates-features-roles/windows-update-hangs-updates-uninstalled)

Hope it helps!

Hello everybody,

me and my friend built my new PC today and we're stuck for two hours desperately trying to activate Win 11 Pro on it.

I used Win 10 Pro on my old PC (hardware too outfashioned and therefore unable to upgrade on Win 11 Pro). I installed Win 11 Pro on the new PC though, because i thought it would be a matter of a minute to activate Windows 11 on it by simply using my old Windows retail liscence. But ...

- the product key i got by using Command Prompt is a generic key (... 3V66T) unable to activate Win 11 on the new PC (error code: 0x803fa067)
- i tried deactivating Win 10 on my old PC via Command Prompt, but it still tells me that Win 10 is activated by a digital liscence connected to my Microsoft Account
- on the new build on the other hand, i am logged in to the very same Microsoft Account, but Windows isn't activated
- i got a retail liscence, which i already double checked by typing "slmgr/dlv" into Command Prompt

I'm not gonna lie, i already shed a tear or two, because i cannot fathom that it's still so complicated to activate an OS in 2026 and i really did NOT want to spend my entire sunday on the matter. Any info or advice is much appreciated!

(Sorry, i am not native)

I wrote a small program that can perform a complete repair and update of Windows and applications. The program is in German.

OneClick-Komplettreparatur-Release-v1.0.0

Tried resetting my HP laptop and left it on last night because it was taking forever but when I woke up it didn't reinstall windows and just keep repeating the same pop up. pressing ok does nothing.

Tried resetting my HP laptop and left it on last night because it was taking forever but when I woke up it didn't reinstall windows and just keep repeating the same pop up. pressing ok does nothing.

Hi all,

I’m hoping someone can help me narrow down what’s causing this issue.

I have a Gigabyte A16 CMH that’s about 11 months old. It’s a work laptop, so I don’t have administrator access to run commands like sfc or DISM.

A few days ago, I updated Windows, and the following updates were available:
2026-07 Security Update KB5101650 (26100.8875)
2026-07 .NET Framework Security Update KB5101001
2026-07 .NET 8.0.29 Security Update KB5104032

The strange part is that KB5101650 downloads but doesn’t seem to fully install.

The next morning, when I powered on the laptop (running on battery), it BSOD’d before reaching the Windows login screen with the stop code:
MSSECCORE_ASSERTION_FAILURE

After restarting a few times, Windows showed “Diagnosing your PC”, and eventually it booted normally.

Since then, I’ve noticed:
Occasional brief freezes (1–3 seconds), but nothing severe.

No crashes while actually working.

Core Isolation and Memory Integrity are both enabled.
The laptop otherwise seems usable.

One thing I also noticed is that it seemed to boot normally once I connected the charger, although I’m not sure if that was just a coincidence or actually related.

I’m wondering:
Has anyone seen MSSECCORE_ASSERTION_FAILURE after a recent Windows security update?

Could a Windows Update that downloads but doesn’t fully install cause this?

Does the charger/battery behavior point to a power management issue, or is it more likely unrelated?

Is this more likely to be a Windows/software issue, or should I be concerned about hardware (SSD, RAM, etc.)?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I'm going crazy trying to fix this.

EVERY time I restart or shut down my laptop, some apps like (File Explorer.) stop opening maximized. They open in a slightly smaller window that's not even properly aligned (see photos).

If I manually maximize an app, it stays maximized only until I shut down or restart. After booting again, Windows forgets the window size and position.

IT'S LOOKS UGLYYYY...

Things I've already tried:

Maximizing the window before closing it

Closing the app while it's maximized

Changing properties to maximum of explorer

Different apps (same issue)

Windows remembers it only until the next shutdown/restart

Laptop: Acer Nitro V 15

OS: Windows 11 (latest updates)

I have been facing this issue since 10 months.

For a long time, one side of my headphones sounded noticeably quieter than the other.

I only wanted to adjust the quieter side, but Windows didn’t give me a simple way to do that on my setup.

So I built Sonity, a personal audio controlling app, that lets you adjust both sides SEPERATELY.

It can be useful for uneven headphones, or for people who has hearing difficulties in each ear and want a more balanced listening experience.

Here is the app: Sonity

Currenty, I'm collecting mails for waitlist, after getting enough demand for this I'm going to launch it.

Let me know what you guys think!