How to Fix Boot Issues on Windows 11 and Windows 12 Using a USB Drive: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are facing boot problems on Windows 11 or the latest Windows 12, don’t worry! You can fix boot issues with a bootable USB drive. This guide will walk you through the steps to repair boot problems on both operating systems. Whether your PC is stuck in a boot loop or refuses to boot at all, following this method will help get your system back up and running.

Why Won’t Windows 11 or Windows 12 Boot?

Several issues can prevent Windows 11 or Windows 12 from booting up correctly:

1. Corrupt System Files: Critical files for booting might get damaged or corrupted.
2. Hardware Problems: Issues like faulty drives or memory can cause startup failures.
3. Update Failures: A failed or incomplete update may render your system unbootable.
4. Boot Configuration Errors: Errors in boot files or settings can prevent a proper startup.

What You Need:

• A USB drive (minimum 8GB capacity).
• Access to a working PC with an internet connection.
• Windows 11 or Windows 12 installation media.

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Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive for Windows 11 or Windows 12

To begin, you’ll need to create a bootable USB drive using Windows installation media for your specific version (Windows 11 or Windows 12). Here’s how:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool:

• For Windows 11: Go to Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page and download the Media Creation Tool.
• For Windows 12 (When available): Visit the [Windows 12 download page].

2. Run the Media Creation Tool:

• Open the downloaded tool on a working computer.
• Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file), then click Next.

3. Select Language, Edition, and Architecture:

• Choose the appropriate language, Windows edition (11 or 12), and system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

4. Insert a USB Drive:

• Insert a USB flash drive (at least 8GB capacity) into the working computer.
• Select the drive from the options provided.

5. Create the Bootable USB Drive:

• The tool will download the necessary files and create a bootable Windows 11 or Windows 12 USB drive. This process might take several minutes depending on your internet speed.

Step 2: Boot Your Computer from the USB Drive

Now that you have your bootable USB drive ready, it’s time to use it to boot your problematic PC.

1. Insert the USB Drive into the Affected PC.
2. Restart the PC:

• While restarting, press the BIOS/UEFI key (commonly F2, F12, Esc, or Delete) repeatedly to enter the BIOS settings.

1. Change the Boot Order:

• In the BIOS/UEFI menu, navigate to the boot order settings.
• Set your USB drive as the first boot device.
• Save and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.

2. Start the Windows Setup Process:

• Your PC should now boot from the USB drive.
• You will see the Windows 11 or Windows 12 setup screen.

Step 3: Access Windows Recovery Tools

At the setup screen, instead of installing Windows, you’ll use the recovery tools to fix the boot problem.

1. Click “Repair Your Computer”:

• On the Windows setup screen, look for the Repair your computer option at the bottom-left corner.

2. Choose “Troubleshoot”:

• Select Troubleshoot from the next screen, then choose Advanced Options.

3. Run Startup Repair:

• Choose Startup Repair.
• Windows will try to automatically diagnose and fix the boot issue.

Step 4: Repair Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If the Startup Repair option doesn’t resolve the issue, you might need to manually fix the boot configuration using the command prompt.

1. Go to Advanced Options:

• If you are still on the Advanced Options screen, proceed to the next step.

2. Open Command Prompt:

• Select Command Prompt from the list of advanced options.

3. Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD):

• Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
  bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /scanos bootrec /rebuildbcd
• These commands will repair the master boot record (MBR), fix the boot sector, scan for operating systems, and rebuild the Boot Configuration Data.

1. Restart Your PC:

• Once the commands have been executed successfully, restart your PC.

Step 5: Reset or Reinstall Windows 11 or Windows 12

If the issue still persists, resetting or reinstalling Windows might be your last option.

1. Reset Windows:

• In Advanced Options, select Reset this PC.
• Choose Keep my files to reinstall the system without losing your personal data.

2. Perform a Clean Installation:

• If resetting doesn’t work, perform a clean installation.
• Boot from the USB drive again and follow the on-screen instructions to install a fresh copy of Windows 11 or Windows 12.

Tips for Avoiding Future Boot Issues

• Keep Windows Updated: Ensure your Windows 11 or 12 is always updated to prevent boot problems caused by outdated software.
• Backup Regularly: Maintain regular backups of your important data to avoid data loss.
• Check for Hardware Issues: Periodically check your hard drive and RAM for errors using diagnostic tools.
• Use Antivirus Software: Protect your system from malware, which can corrupt system files.

Conclusion

Whether you’re running Windows 11 or Windows 12, boot issues can be a headache, but they are often solvable. Using a bootable USB drive and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can repair boot problems, restore your system’s Boot Configuration Data, or even perform a clean installation if necessary.

By following these tips and steps, you can avoid similar boot issues in the future. If you’re unsure at any point, always consult a professional to ensure you don’t lose important data.