How to Run Windows Startup Repair on a Dell computer

Summary: This article provides instructions on how to run Windows Startup Repair in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Startup Repair is a Microsoft Windows feature that can fix problems with files that are required to boot the operating system. ...

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Instructions

Run Windows Startup Repair

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Startup Repair is a built-in Windows tool that fixes problems that prevent your PC from starting correctly. It scans your system for issues like missing or damaged files and tries to repair them automatically. You can run Startup Repair from inside Windows or from outside the operating system if your PC won’t boot.

Note: Startup repair cannot fix hardware failures such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, it cannot help recover any personal files such as photos or documents. To help protect the data on your computer, back up your data regularly.

There are multiple ways to initiate startup repair. This feature can be run from the desktop, but it can also be run from outside Windows using the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If the computer cannot boot into the WinRE, Startup Repair can be run using a Windows installation disk.

The computer initiates Startup Repair when the computer fails to boot into the operating system two times consecutively. If Startup Repair fails to initiate, use a Windows installation disk.

How to initiate Startup Repair from outside Windows

  1. Turn on the computer and tap the F12 key until you enter the One Time Boot menu.
  2. Select Repair your computer.
  3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

How to initiate startup repair using the Settings app in Windows

  1. Select Start > Settings > System > Recovery tab.
  2. Under Advanced Startup, select Restart Now.
  3. After your device restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

How to initiate startup repair from the desktop or lock screen

  1. Press and hold Shift, then select Restart from the Power menu in the lower right corner of the screen.
  2. After your device restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Startup Repair can fix most problems with Windows. However, if the startup repair does not resolve the issue, back up your personal data and reinstall the operating system.

Additional Information

What to do if startup repair did not fix the issue?

 

It is possible that startup repair did not fix the Windows startup problem. The startup repair might automatically run again after the computer restarts.

If startup repair fails to fix the Windows startup problem, try the following troubleshooting steps next.

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Affected Products

Alienware, Dell All-in-One, Dell Pro All-in-One, Dell Pro Max Micro, Dell Pro Max Slim, Dell Pro Max Tower, Dell Pro Micro, Dell Pro Slim, Dell Pro Tower, Dell Slim, Dell Tower, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series , G Series, Alienware, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Inspiron, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, Dell Pro Max Micro XE FCM2250 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000123362
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 17 Nov 2025
Version:  17
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