New Comp New Problems

I'm not sure I can do that.  Where would I find instructions to guide me through it?

It's all on the screen of the setup wizard.

https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-10

Right,

 

The very first thing to do is to back up all of your data. Computers can be fixed, data, once lost, can stay lost.

If you have a known good external SSD then use that and copy all of your data to it. Find a away (using a friends PC maybe) to verify you have all of your data stored safely.

Next find any installation media for apps and programs that you have. Also find the product keys and passwords.

 

Now you have some choices:

 

Follow the Wikhow cryptodan posted to make a recovery drive. If this is your only PC print off screenshots of all the instructions. Just in case the repair options below fail.

 

If you know how to open a command prompt as admin then you could try running DISM and the SFC. There is a good instruction here:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

 

This will help you to repair the system files. Follow the steps exactly as written. post back here if you get stuck. After you run DISM with the Restorehealth switch then shut down and reboot your PC. Assuming SFC will run, then run it, shut down, restart and run it again. If SFC says it can't fix the system files then you need to get a bit more drastic. Or you can skip this step and go directly below.

 

Your computer is capable of doing a repair install Go into settings and then into Recovery. There should be an option to "reset this PC" Have your windows login and password handy. Hit the button and let your PC do it's thing. A good internet connection is essential.

 

You can also try the Windows update tool. While this says it's for updates it can be quite good at fixing broken installations.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10%20

@wicky:

Several folks have provided sound advice, with different paths to the same endpoint.
I agree with @aldfort, that REPAIRING your current Windows installation *might* be Repairable without a complete, clean Windows reinstall.

Having said that, although this computer may be "new to you", the old hardware suggests that the computer is pre-owned. Generally, a clean install is the best practice in this scenario.

To regroup on the many suggestions offered, there are several, progressively more complicated strategies. To summarize & provide resources for what @aldfort recommends:

>>Phase 1 - DISM & SFC

Follow the instructions here:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7808-use-dism-repair-windows-10-image.html

THEN follow the instructions here:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2895-run-sfc-command-windows-10-a.html


>>Phase 2 - Non-destructive Repair Install

First: Backup your data, files & settings (documents, photos, emails, etc) to a cloud service and/or to a USB external hard drive, for safety.
Then
Follow the instructions here:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html
Or
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-10
Use: UPGRADE at Part 1, Step 7


>>Phase 3 - Clean Install

First: You absolutely MUST backup your data (as above), as they will be lost during this process.
Then
Follow the instructions here:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html
Or
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-10
Use: CUSTOM/Create installation media for Another PC at Part 1, Step 7


Hope this helps

Edited for typo

Edited by MoxieMomma, 26 February 2024 - 09:55 AM.