If you’ve used Windows for long enough, you know the feeling: one day everything’s working perfectly, and the next — your computer won’t boot, a blue screen appears, or the dreaded black screen stares back at you.
These issues can be intimidating, especially if you’re not a “tech person.” But here’s the good news: Windows 10 and 11 come with powerful built-in tools that can help you troubleshoot and repair your computer — often without needing extra software or a technician.
In this article, we’ll walk step by step through these tools, how to access them, and when to use each option. By the end, you’ll not only know how to fix many common problems but also feel more confident in handling system issues.
Why Learn Advanced Startup Options?
Before diving in, let’s pause for a moment. Why bother learning about these hidden menus?
Because when your system crashes, you might not have time to search tutorials or download tools. Knowing these built-in recovery methods means:
- You can fix issues even if you can’t log in.
- No need for extra USB repair drives or third-party tools.
- You can save time (and possibly money) by repairing problems yourself.
- You can recover data from a corrupted system before reinstalling Windows.
Think of it like keeping a spare tire in your car. You hope you won’t need it, but when you do — you’ll be glad it’s there.
Step 1: Accessing Advanced Startup Options
Let’s start with the basics. How do you even get to the Advanced Startup menu?
There are a few methods, depending on your situation:
Method 1: From a Blue Screen
Sometimes, when Windows encounters a serious issue, it automatically offers an Advanced Options button. Click it, and you’re taken straight to recovery tools.
Method 2: Force Restart Trick
If you can’t access menus at all:
- Press and hold the power button until your PC shuts down.
- Restart it.
- As soon as Windows starts loading, press and hold the power button again.
- Repeat 2–3 times.
After a few forced shutdowns, Windows will automatically boot into Advanced Startup Options.
Method 3: From the Login Screen
If you’re stuck at the login screen:
- Hold down the Shift key.
- Click the Power icon (bottom right).
- Select Restart while holding Shift.
Windows will restart directly into the recovery environment.
👉 So far so good, right? Don’t worry if it feels complicated — once you practice this once or twice, it becomes second nature.
Step 2: Understanding the Main Menu
Once you’re in, you’ll see several main options:
- Continue – Exit and boot into Windows.
- Turn off your PC – Shuts down.
- Use a device – Boot from USB drive, DVD, or external SSD.
- Troubleshoot – The real magic happens here.
For fixing problems, we’ll mostly use Troubleshoot → Advanced Options.
Step 3: Troubleshoot Tools (One by One)
Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and go through each option available in Advanced Options. I’ll explain what it does, when to use it, and some practical tips.
1. Startup Repair
- What it does: Scans your PC for issues preventing Windows from loading.
- When to use: If your PC gets stuck at the loading screen or keeps restarting.
- Limitations: Doesn’t always work, but worth trying first.
Example: If Windows freezes on the spinning dots screen forever, try Startup Repair before assuming a bigger issue.
2. Uninstall Updates
Windows delivers two types of updates:
- Quality Updates: Small patches, bug fixes, security updates.
- Feature Updates: Major upgrades (e.g., Windows 11 version 23H2 → 24H2).
If problems started after a recent update (like sound not working, apps crashing, or constant blue screens), you can uninstall:
- Latest Quality Update
- Latest Feature Update
👉 Try uninstalling quality updates first. If that doesn’t help, roll back the feature update.
3. Startup Settings (Safe Mode and More)
This is one of the most powerful tools. After choosing Startup Settings → Restart, you can select options like:
- Enable Low-Resolution Video
- Enable Safe Mode (F4)
- Enable Safe Mode with Networking (F5)
- Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt (F6)
- Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
- Disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection
- Disable Automatic Restart on Failure
Why is Safe Mode so important?
Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and services. If your PC works in Safe Mode, the issue is likely software-related (drivers, updates, apps). If it fails even here, the issue could be hardware.
Example use cases:
- Uninstalling a bad driver.
- Removing malware.
- Checking if black screen issues are GPU related.
👉 This is often how technicians quickly figure out whether your issue is hardware or software.
4. UEFI Firmware Settings (BIOS Access)
This option restarts your PC into the BIOS/UEFI. Useful if you need to:
- Change boot order.
- Enable/disable Secure Boot.
- Troubleshoot hardware recognition.
5. System Restore
- What it does: Rolls your system back to a previous restore point (if one exists).
- When to use: If problems started recently and you know your system was fine a few days ago.
- Note: Doesn’t affect your files, but removes recent apps/updates.
6. Command Prompt (The Power Tool)
This is where advanced troubleshooting happens. From here, you can run powerful commands like:
- sfc /scannow → Scans and repairs corrupted system files.
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth → Repairs Windows image.
- chkdsk C: /f /r → Scans and fixes disk errors.
Other uses:
- Recover data: Launch
notepad → File → Opento copy files from system drive to USB. - Reset forgotten Windows password: With advanced steps, you can rename system files to regain access.
👉 Command Prompt is like the Swiss army knife of troubleshooting — powerful, but requires careful use.
7. System Image Recovery
If you previously created a system image backup, this option lets you restore it. This is a last-resort method if your PC is completely broken but you had the foresight to back it up.
Step 4: Reset This PC
Under Troubleshoot, there’s also Reset This PC.
Two choices:
- Keep my files → Reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files.
- Remove everything → Full reset (like a factory reset).
This is a reliable way to get a fresh start if nothing else works.
Practical Scenarios & What to Do
Let’s add some real-life examples to make things clearer.
- Blue Screen after update? → Uninstall updates or use System Restore.
- Black screen but Safe Mode works? → Likely a graphics driver issue.
- Windows stuck loading forever? → Try Startup Repair first.
- Forgot password? → Use Command Prompt method to reset.
- Need urgent files before reinstalling? → Use Notepad trick in Command Prompt to copy files to USB.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need a bootable USB to access these tools?
No. Most of these tools are built into Windows and can be accessed without extra media.
Q2: Will using these options delete my data?
Most don’t. Only “Reset This PC (Remove Everything)” or “System Image Recovery” will wipe files.
Q3: My PC doesn’t show Advanced Options at all. What now?
In that case, you may need a Windows installation USB to boot into recovery.
Q4: How often should I create restore points or system images?
Ideally, before major updates or installations. It’s a safety net.
Final Thoughts
At first glance, the Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10 and 11 may feel overwhelming. But once you understand them, they’re a lifesaver. Whether it’s a stubborn blue screen, a corrupted system, or just a forgotten password, these tools give you ways to troubleshoot before calling in help.
The best part? They’re free, built right into Windows, and accessible even when you can’t log in.
👉 So next time your PC acts up, don’t panic. Breathe, access Advanced Options, and methodically try the tools we covered. With a little patience, you might surprise yourself with how much you can fix on your own.
Tags: Windows 10, Windows 11, troubleshooting, Advanced Startup Options, Safe Mode, System Restore, Command Prompt, Startup Repair
Hashtags: #Windows10 #Windows11 #Troubleshooting #SafeMode #StartupRepair #SystemRestore #TechTips
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Use advanced commands and recovery options carefully. Always back up your important data. If you’re unsure, consult a qualified technician before making changes.
